Ah, what can I say about the Bad Boy of France? Real attitude to boot and it got the moves to prove it! When we spilled out from the cool cocoon of the Gare, the sizzling pungent aroma in the air pierced through our noses. Oh my dear ears, they rang with the hyper beats reminiscent of a thousand Arabian nights... except we were there on an early evening, with plenty of sun to go about, thanks to extended daylight hours in summer!
This was so unlike anywhere we had been in France. It definitely had an air of heaviness, not due to anything overbearing, but more of going out on a blind date with a WWF champion. You know you won't know what to expect, yet it will be one heck of a ride. You want pretty streets, unencumbered, quiet sidewalk coffee tables? Get out of here!
A diverse melting pot of Middle Eastern and African influences permeated as far as the scene carried and we began hunting down a place to crash for the night. Lucky for us, the only room available was by the port. This, being an old fishing town, heavily tugging on the remnant tail-ends of a Mediterranean culture, was one madame that burst into life at night. Music, bustle, beat, food, waiters, the salt in the air... all only serving as teasers to explore beyond the front blocks. And explore you should. Within the confines of the front blocks of shops and cafe, you will find an extrapolation of eateries and fountains, people, young and old, foreign and otherwise... all tugging into the day's cool respite, conversations were loud, only to dip momentarily with a secret conspiring sharing of secret. The odd serenade happened, a boy tried to sell you a rose.
The next morning, Marseilles threw away her night frock and unveiled a display of the male "machismo". Ladies, stand alone, and be prepared to be courted by a friendly, leathered and tanned fisherman who will try to convince you to leave your husband and run away with him to live on a boat. Of course, the polite decline will result in a man insisting on asking you for a reason that you have chosen to jilt him. Wedding vows? Pah! Just remember, keep smiling graciously while you basked further in the adoration of his fellow mates nearby.
You won't leave this town unscathed, unhonked (if that's a word), not harassed but it'll all be in good jest and you will live to remember it... with a smile in many years to come.
