Marseille

One of my big "to-do's" before leaving France was visiting Marseille.

Every single time that we had a weekend off, a holiday or a vacation I would always throw, not so subtle, hints to my husband to take me to Marseille.

He never had any interest in going.  Sometimes I would go as far as whining (and then I wonder where Nathan gets it from) about "how I would never ever see Marseille" - complete with pouty lips and all.

I have no idea why I was so obsessed with Marseille.  It just sounded, je ne sais pas, fancy.  A port city on the sea, it had to be beautiful, right?  I also became slightly obsessed with a French soap opera while on maternity leave with Nathan and it took place in Marseille; this didn't help the obesession.

And then, a miracle happened!!  During one of the long holiday weekends in May my husband said "why don't we go to Marseille".  I might have fallen off my chair, excusez-moi?  Actually, I said nothing.  I was afraid of jinxing it.

This picture would be gorgeous without that crazy girl in the back with her mouth open. 

We booked a hotel near the port, packed up the kids and set out on the five hour drive to Marseille.

I should say that Marseille has been chosen as the European Capital of Culture for 2013, which meant that now in 2012 the city is a dump under construction.  Seriously.  All of it.  It took us over an hour to find our hotel because all of the streets were condemned with holes and big tractors.  Cornel was ready to turn around and drive back home - we are not quitters, though, and this vacation would carry on!!

We visited the Vieux Port (Old Port), complete with Pirate Ship.  This was the peak of the vacation for Nathan, who only wanted to see the bateau (the boat).

We also took an hour long boat trip around the harbor.  The sea was rough and the winds were cold, which is the perfect combination for a two year old.  He thought he was on a ride at Disneyland.  Once the weather got too rough to sit outside, Nathan loudly proclaimed that it was his boat and he wasn't going inside.  What can I say, the kid is stubborn.

We also enjoyed, the world famous, Marseille Bouillabaisse (fish soup).  I'm glad I ate it once in my lifetime, but since I'm not a fish lover (take that Google SOE) I probably won't be eating it again.

I think might expression might just say it all.

The one thing about the South of France, is that the fresh seafood is everywhere.  Every restaurant serves the catch of the day, and if you are feeling adventurous you can buy your own fresh fish at the outdoor fish market.

Fishermen dock their boats on the port and let you buy whatever they caught that day.  Most of the fish are still swimming.  Nathan got a kick out of seeing all of these creatures close up- especially the octopus.  Talk about a teachable moment.

There was also a trip into Old Town Marseille (via touristic train).  We took some time out to walk around and soak up some local culture.  Nathan took this time to "feed the ducks".  When you are two, any bird that will eat bread you throw at them is a duck, and he loved every second of it.

Noah was a little sick the entire trip but he was a trooper through it all.  And while I will never want to re-visit Marseilles, I'm glad that we at least went once in our lifetime.

Are there places that you've dreamed of going that didn't live up to expectations?