My Film Internship

The "Reason I Came to France"

Gotta say... I already decided I wanted to come to France. I desperately looked for film-related work or an internship while I was in Prague and low-and-behold, my favorite sounding (based on the research I did) production company wanted me!

Monkey Bay Productions


They're currently doing a TV Doc series about (I'm going to copy and paste this from the emails I have been writing to possibly Location Managers abroad) renowned chef Georgiana Viou going from town to town, demonstrating to families that under conditions of daily life (with little time and not necessarily a lot of means) they can improve their diet. And eat mostly local.

Based on the sentinel network of Slow Food (which ensures the preservation and improvement of biodiversity), on leaders who love their land and passionate producers, Georgiana proves that an every day meal can be delicious, cheap and in line with the local diet and seasons.

Georgiana - Chef

Which I had read about online and was intrigued by the topic anyway.

My job would entail being their international communications liason in a way. The main form of communication between the countries they would film in would be English, and since my English is pretty good they said it was fine that I couldn't speak French... Which is why not many other companies offered me jobs in Marseille... Where I've recently learned very few speak English... compared to other parts of Europe.

My first day of work was probably my most exciting.
It was the last day of shooting the pilot in Marseille. They had spent all morning shooting on a fishing boat and I came "aboard" when they docked and sold fish in the fish market on Vieux Port... The idea is that, in the show, she goes to local food producers (such as fishermen) and teaches the audience about how good and easy it is to buy locally. This is more what I was used to. I'm used to working on sets... not in offices (which is what I will be doing).

However, it's quite different than an American shoot. Mostly because while they all can speak English, there's no reason for them to speak English to one another on my behalf. So I stood quietly for the most part... watching... Either way, I'd never helped with a documentary before, so it was all new and exciting!

We then went on to shoot a short stint of her walking down a boating dock introducing the episode and the city.

Shooting on the Vieux Port

Afterwards, I learned something that made me really really enjoy French film sets compared to American film sets (and especially Chinese ones which I'm still slightly interested in)... They go to fancy restaurants and have relaxing 2 hour French lunches... I bought the cheapest thing on the menu expecting to have to pay myself... Nope. Talk about living the dream. Well...the food dream.

After that we shot at Georgiana's cooking atelier. Small restaurant with a massive kitchen she teaches classes in. (I later went to her party she throws every friday where she serves Tapas she's made)
We shot the opening to the episode. Which I actually got to help out with. I love being on film shoots. While I've been told I'd be a good producer and am good at finding out information and making connections and whatnot... I REALLY REALLY love being on film shoots.

Talk about Laid Back.... Camera Man was drinking wine during the shoot which everyone approved of...

Don't mind the lens scratch

Oh yeah... I got to eat that lovely Lamb

This spring semester I got special permission from the in-house lighting guy to use his lighting board (no one else in previous years has gotten to do that) :) and one day I was pre-lighting and was absolutely giddy for the next 12 hours afterwards from the environment and the fact that I was lighting and felt like I really knew what I was doing... I designed stuff and was told by the "professionals" that I was really good and we worked together as if I knew as well as they did how to light. I have a knack for lighting I guess???

And on-set friendships are so much fun...

The first big feature I ever worked in the lighting department on over a year ago... So much fun obviously

So, all in all, I'll be finding them contacts and emailing and calling and figuring out (based on my research) who to hire in the locations we will be shooting at. I will also be translating some texts being used in the show... My work will be famous! I was also in the episode sitting in the back. And my whisking job will be always in the opening credits. ;)

After eating Georgiana's lovely food, I attempted to make my own asparagus... Can I be a chef and a filmmaker at the same time?? That's the plan

Touring Marseille (Being a Tourist is Fun Too)

So far I've done about.... 6.5 (?) Touristy things.

Vieux Port

(this includes Fort Saint Nicolas)

The Top of the Port (East End). Basilique du Notre Dame de la Garde can be seen in the distance

I can't tell you how many times I've been to the Vieux Port at this point. All the websites are right when they say everything starts there... A lot of destinations are easiest to get to from there, all the main streets either run into or run by the port and my production company is a block away from it. Also, if it says anything, how many pictures of the Vieux Port have I posted. It is "the heart" of Marseille. As it should be. It's a port city.

The day after I met with my production company, I decided just to kind of finally tour the port a bit. It was Thursday and I had met with them the day before and would meet again the next day, on Friday, to see them wrap up their sequence they're filming in Marseille for the documentary they and I will be working on.

I love sail boats. Probably because they remind me of some childhood memories (mostly good, some ridiculous... Sailboats can be ridiculous if not maintained and not of good quality!)
But Vieux Port is literally a sea of sail boats. It's "what heaven for sailors looks like" according to my brother. All of the shops lining the port are marine themed. Striped clothes, sailor hats, boat shoes, etc... I've actually noticed (not sure if it's all of France) but the cheap fashionable shoe here is like the cheap looking sailor boat shoe... Looks like it's two pieces of fabric sewed together poorly... Espadrilles, as I just researched, is the name.... But hey, it's fashion. Are we supposed to get it?

Supposedly not meant to last... They don't look attractive in my opinion... Beach/port towns must be into them

 So, with all the time I wanted (but only it felt like I didn't because it was probably 6pm and still very bright outside) I decided to walk down to a fort I could see in the distance with the hopes that I could get a good view.

Note: Drivers in Marseille are mean. I'm sure everyone says that about where they're from, but they're not the silent aggressive drivers like America, they're loud and only care about themselves. They don't even give the pedestrian the right of way (at least around the Port).

I was right about the fort.

Fort Sainte Nicolas on the Port

It's called Fort Sainte Nicolas and I was literally the only person up there. It has a nice view of the highway and some hotel pools, but it also just makes the port look absolutely grand(e).

View from Fort Saint Nicolas

Basilique de Notre Dame du la Garde
 (this includes the Petit Train de Marseille 1.0)

So, in every famous picture you see of the Vieux Port, the angle is taken so that you can see the Basilique de Notre Dame du la Garde far in the distance on a hill.  
I decided,  it was about time for me to go out of my way and see something touristy. 

I've done quite a bit of research and talked to a few people and supposedly Marseille doesn't have a lot of famous cultural historical things to see. 
That's one of the reasons Marseille was chosen to be the upcoming "Cultural Capital of Europe" in 2013. That's why Vieux Port and all of Marseille is congested with massive amounts of construction and renovation; Making way for new culture to come to Marseille... The oldest city in France. Over 2600 years old when it was founded by the Greeks!


I decided, looking at a map, this basilica can't be too far. It should take me 20 minutes to walk there! No problem. 

That was until I remembered Marseille is one of the craziest hilly cities and I would need to take a nap once I got to the top.

I had read I could take a bus there or a little "train on wheels," a touristy ride from Vieux Port, but decided that was only a good idea once I was on my way back...


I was reminded again, I'm not the biggest fan of going to historical landmarks... Way too many tourists for what made me feel like way too much hype for that many tourists. 


BUT... I've got to say, once I got inside, I wished someone hadn't stolen my camera. It was absolutely fantastic. And I appreciated the basilica and it's history much more once I actually learned the history of the great church.

oh yeah, that's real gold and incredible detail

Not only is the detail stunning and beautiful, it's very reminiscent of the city and it's history. Little wooden sailboats hang in chains along the aisles as you can see along the middle pillars. 
Mass happened to be in progression during the (FIRST) time that I went, so I didn't get to walk any closer...

I'll tell you more about a young Chinese traveler I hosted through couchsurfing.com later... I went with him to a few of these places as well... Again. That's how I got a better view the second (and briefer. He's less of a fan of historical sights than me) time I went


So I decided to take the Le Petit Train Touristique de Marseille back to Vieux Port because I wanted to see La Panier (supposedly a beautiful historical district where the original Marseille was solely).  I call that a touristy thing in itself...

Le Panier

After getting off the Petit Train, I realized I was on the north side of the port, so was near Le Panier which I had only seen pictures of. 

Le Panier is the only preserved section of the original neighborhood of Marseille. That neighborhood dates back over 2000 years.  

Le Panier literally means The Basket. It technically is comprised of three sections: Town Hall, Great Carmelites and La Joliette. I've heard a few stories as to where The Basket got it's name. Supposedly it was where a lot of people did "shopping" and that's why it's called the "basket," but I've also heard that the street Rue du Panier got the name from an Inn on the street with the same name, and the district later established the name of the street... Who knows. That sounds a little more plausible I guess...

Its narrow streets are reminiscent of a little French village with colored façades reminding one of typical Mediterranean charms. It used to be designated as "the neighborhood." Le Panier was traditionally the first location of immigrants coming to Marseille. Today, it is marked by waves of new immigration, and many families of Corsican or North African origin still live there. In recent years though, as a result of rehabilitation and the establishment of "Cultural Places," Le Panier is becoming a tourist area and it is developing into a more and more expensive and luxurious place to live.  It's also become an attraction due to many festivals and events being held there. Fete du Panier for example.

Les Iles du Frioul (The Island of Frioul) 

 In my last blog I discussed my Couchsurfer that stayed for 3 nights... By the time I took him to this island, I was getting tired of his desperate plea for attention and his flirting...
However, I had already put myself out there as an adventurous host and had said the day before that we would go to the Island of Frioul. 
I hadn't gone swimming yet at all and decided what a beautiful place: an island!

It's 10euros to take a ferry from Vieux Port out to the Island. You can either go to Iles du Frioul or to Chateau d'If (Castle of If) on a smaller island where a lot of The Count of Monte Cristo took place. I have yet to go there still.

The island itself doesn't have a lot of attractions besides the footpaths and small rocky coves where people swim. We walked and explored the ruins of the island until I realized my cheap $10 sandals weren't the best thing to wear while hiking and we decided to swim. The water was FREEZING. But I stayed in for a short while... Emphasizing SHORT. I sunbathed for a bit, but soon began to feel awkward once my guest began telling me how beautiful I was...

Trust me, this wasn't the time I would play it French and go topless... While everyone was doing it around me... No thank you. We left within probably an hour and a half of our arrival on the island... 

Either way, I'll probably go back with better shoes to do more exploring. It was very gorgeous. 


The whole of Marseille and the Mediterranean (at least this part of it) surprised me. 
 I was expected the entire coast to be sandy and beachy, like the coastal cities I'm used to... New York, Mexico, Texas, etc... It's mostly rocky though here... I'd love to tell you I know all about the geological history of the Mediterranean and why this is so, but alas, I hadn't thought to do that research yet.

Calanque de Figuerolles (in La Ciotat)

another rocky cove... but even more beautiful.

The day after Micah got here (so, yesterday, June 2nd), we went with a Marseille Expat Meetup Group out to La Ciotat, a small town along the coast, east of Marseille. I, with my research skills, found the best place to rent snorkeling gear, and I did just that. We snorkeled in a lovely Calanque. Which is "a steep-walled inlet, cove, or bay that is developed in limestone, dolomite, or other carbonate strata and found along the Mediterranean coast. A calanque is a steep-sided valley formed within karstic regions either by fluvial erosion or the collapse of the roof a cave that has been subsequently partially submerged by a rise in sea level."

Talk about cold water. I'd also swam on the Island, but the Mediterranean is very cold here!! I was expecting it to be a little warmer... Not at all. I'm glad we got wetsuits or we wouldn't have lasted as long as we did.

Micah and Me snorkeling!

The group was very interesting. Mostly much older than us... Well, half of us were in our twenties. Half in our forties probably. But all with very interesting stories. Quite a few were French and had lived in English speaking countries for an extended period of time so joined the expat group. A few, however, weren't from France. For example, one Belgian girl who spoke Chinese, one Chinese girl (how convenient for me!) and one VERY interesting British woman (on the far right in the picture).

At the Calanque, before heading down to snorkel

After going to this "beach" we realized the majority of "beaches" are rocky, not sandy.... It wasn't just the island. Gonna have to buy a yoga mat or something... and some better water shoes! 

We ate at the lone restaurant at this calanque. It was situated on the side of the cliff. It was very nice. Micah and I split a whole fish (which was priced by weight)... I'd bought fish before and I assumed it couldn't be too bad... I was assuming maybe 200 grams of meat per person (max)... However... I'm pretty sure they weighed it before cleaning the fish or anything, because it ended being around 100Euros.... Yeah... We learned our lesson. I'm pretty sure it was probably 200g or less per person (which should have been 40Euros for amazing fresh fish TOTAL) but they charged us for like 1000g total instead of 400g.... Yeah. Good thing it was REALLY DELICIOUS... 

Le Restaurant de Calanque de Figuerolles

Not ready to leave, we all toured the area and visited a garden (not unlike a Botanical Garden) and walked along the roads where we could see beaches and great views. 

Thankfully one of the guys in the group offered to drive us back to Marseille and took us along the scenic route. We drove up and down mountains and through Cassis (which I'm pretty sure I forced myself to sleep through because the mountains made me motion sick.. I do that easily....). I plan on visiting Cassis again on a day trip or something.

  In general Marseille (the city) doesn't have a huge number of tourist attractions as I mentioned before... Especially compared to Prague where I just came from. Marseille attracts people who want to move there for the cheap prices and the eclectic varied cultures... And the conveniences of a larger city (one of the reasons I came here). Not people who want to learn French or live in a clean beautiful city. Oh well... We definitely still find lots of stuff to do! And plan to explore areas around Marseille and France as well.




I can't wait to do even more Touring of France and Europe. I love France.

 

Making Friends in Marseille

Arriving in Marseille was kind of a shock. 
I was so used to living in a dorm with 60 other people. I'm the type of person that needs human interaction (at least once a day)... I'm not going to say I don't like quite, alone time, but I like people... Probably one of the reasons I chose Marseille instead of like Port Grimaud or a tiny French village or something where it surely would have been cheaper and the majority of people twice my age.

This painting makes me wish I had lived in a Provence village though...

I began writing, touring, reading, researching (as always), and exploring... But I was beginning to think I'd be lost unless I learned French over night...

I met with the Production Company I would be interning for, as I mentioned before, and they all spoke English pretty well, but they're not 19-21 year old students all prepared to Party in Prague... Didn't realized this until I got there... But Prague is supposedly the Party Capital of Europe... So many clubs and it's so cheap to drink... Plus in small amounts, most drugs are legal... Not that that's relevant to me at all.

Many more tourists in Prague than Marseille. And many more clubs... Not to mention BECHEROVKA

So... On May 27th, I went to couchsurfing.com looking to see if anyone needed a host. It just so happened that a young traveling Chinese guy needed a place immediately the next night for three nights and no one had yet offered to host him... I decided I would do just that. And, hey, I'd be able to practice my Chinese!

What I fun guy!
Or so I thought for the first day. He was so excited that I spoke Chinese and knew Chinese culture. We listened to Chinese pop music and toured all of the places that I'd already toured.

I watched Days of Being Wild by Wong Kar Wai (he fell asleep near the beginning), drank French wine (I feel guilty if I do it alone... it's a social thing after all... however I think he took it as more than just social... He kept awkwardly cheersing me like every 3 minutes... romantic or something??), and did loads and loads of talking (the first night. very openly which may have given him the wrong idea?)....

He said he's never met anyone so open minded..

I mean, I guess that's true, but when you compare the Chinese way of thinking to the American way of thinking... we are all very open-minded. That's one cool thing about France.... They're super open-minded as well. I think probably more so than the Czech Republic...

Then... I got sick... Stomach problems (again)... So two things brought me down his first full day here: my stomach and his incessant flirting... I tried not to let it bother me. Overall it was an okay day... But I think the stomach problems only became worse because he insisted on making me homemade Chinese food. Super super considerate, but not at all what I'm used to eating with my sensitive stomach.

We listened to all the Chinese pop I learned in high school and he was convinced I was going to re-memorize one of the songs and perform it and become famous in China... He wouldn't let it go...

However, there are three reasons I'm glad he came... I wasn't bored, I got to improve my Chinese (finally), and the last night he was here, we went out and I made some Marseille friends. We went to a few places: a tapas bar, a bar, another bar, and then on our way home E-Wine (a wine bar that plays electronic music?) where in order to get away from his unwanted attention, I turned to these cool Williamsburg looking girls (awful to say, but easiest way to describe them without getting into French style... Either way, it's definitely a cool French style) and asked if they spoke English. We got to talking. Their friends showed up and they invited us to hang out at their apartment.

Don't mind the scratch on my iPhone lens... It makes everything blurry and unclear

So glad I met them. Definitely excited to make more friends in Marseille. Such a rich culture.

My couchsurfer passed out and I had to take him home where he attempted to "make memories" as he called it, but I forced him out of my bed... 
And in the morning he was gone... Off to Paris.

Oh the people you'll meet.
What exciting adventures.
What different cultures. And while My chinese friend had a personality that was unwanted at times, I respect the differences in culture and where he was coming from. I'm sure if I was a Chinese guy and a young pretty American girl began talking to me so openly and was so willing to go on adventures with me, I'd be flirty... But either way.... People are weird. :)

First Full Day in Marseille

The Day to Get Stuff Done (or just explore)

Didn't actually get anything from the grocery store the night before. It was that disgusting. And overpriced. Thankfully, I waited because I'm learning where to get the best prices now (closer to NYC prices...). 

This morning I found a Petit Casino (not so Petit as the place before) that is an actual supermarket only a couple blocks from my apartment. 

The produce shop I go to NOW (not Petit Casino). They have spinach here!!!! I've been having trouble finding it

My neighborhood is even cooler during the day... Bright, colorful, happening, young. For example, that little fruit and vegetable shop is a staple around my parts ;)

Neighborhoods of Marseille (or ones I've been to so far)

If you don't feel like learning about Neighborhoods of Marseille, skip down to "Getting Stuff Done in Marseille"

Cours Julien, Notre Dame du Mont et La Plaine  -  "Un quartier particulièrement agréable"

Cours Julien, Notre Dame du Mont and La Plaine -  "A particularly nice neighborhood"

I would agree with that sentiment. I think I live in a "particularly nice neighborhood." I'm not sure if it was just the author of that website that wrote that, but I get the feeling I've seen the saying around town as well. But supposedly the neighborhood is the most hip one in all of Marseille and it's famous for it's street art.

Le quartier est très agréable en journée et regorge de créateurs de mode, fleuristes, concept store, restos et bars tendances, magasins de musique, brocantes et marchés... Les nombreuses rues piétonnes, la grande place Jean Jaurès, l'ambiance inimitable du cours Julien et la tranquilité de la place Notre Dame du Mont font du quartier un endroit privilégié par les artistes en tous genres, les bobos marseillais et de nombreux jeunes et étudiants.

Le cours Julien est souvent le lieu de manifestations intéressantes : Journées des Plantes, Marché Paysan, vide-greniers, sardinade, salons de la Création, et la célèbre Fête du Plateau... Le soir, le quartier s'anime et accueille une population tout aussi importante. De nombreux bars musicaux, salles de concerts et petits restos contribuent à rendre l'endroit vivant et agréable.

The area is very pleasant during the day and is packed with fashion designers, florists, concept stores, restaurants, trendy bars, music stores, and markets [of different sorts depending on the day]... The many pedestrian streets, the great place Jean Jaures, the inimitable atmosphere of Cours Julien and tranquility of the place. Notre Dame du Mont makes the neighborhood a great place for artists of all kinds, the bums of Marseille and many young students.

Cours Julien is often the place of interesting events: Garden Days, a Farmers Market, yard sales, sardines (have yet to learn what that means), salons of Creation (or that... must be French. I'm learning with you), and the famous Feast of the Plateau (can't wait for that!) ... At night the area comes alive and has a population just as important. Many music bars, concert halls and eateries help make the place lively and pleasant.

Le Champ de Mars, a very popular bar you can't help but pass in Cours Julien

The graffiti-filled walls near the steps leading up to the Cours Julien section of the city.

Cours Julien marketplace (you can see the steps down to the city)

 

Canebiere and Noailles (next door to my neighb)

Au centre des grands projets de réhabilitation du centre ville, la Canebière s'éveille à nouveau grâce au passage du Tramway et à un effort continu pour redorer les couleurs de cette institution marseillaise. Du palais de la Bourse aux Réformés, de Noailles à la Porte d'Aix une ambiance très marseillaise s'en dégage.

Jouxtant la Canebière, le quartier Noailles est célèbre pour son Marché des Capucins et pour la diversité des épices que l'on y trouve.

 

In the center of major rehabilitation projects downtown, Canebière wakes again thanks to the passage of the Tramway and a continuous effort to burnish the colors of this institution Marseille. The palace of the Exchange for Reformed de Noailles at the Porte d'Aix Marseille an atmosphere emerges.

Adjoining the Canebiere, the Noailles district (MUCH MORE IMPORTANT TO ME) is famous for its Capuchin Market and the variety of spices and produce that are there.

Noailles is a lively and colorful neighborhood. The neighborhood distinguishes itself by its huge foreign community and exotic shops, mainly Handicrafts, traditional restaurants and exotic grocery stores. It's the only neighborhood you can get products from the five continents (of this hemisphere???) in the same area. 

Canebiers

 

Estienne d'Orves & Rue Sainte

Estienne d'Orves & Saint Street

Proche du vieux port, le quartier Estienne d'Orves - Place aux Huiles,est un des lieux les plus agréables pour flaner au gré de ses envies... La place abrite de nombreux bars et restaurants, plusieurs galeries d'art, la chambre de l'artisanat et des métiers d'art et de nombreuses boutiques de prêt à porter.

Boosté par le dynamisme des commerçants du quartier, la place est souvent le lieu de manifestations culturelles.

Parrallèle à la place, la rue Sainte, est devenue ces dernières années une des rues à la mode de Marseille. De nombreux concept store y fleurissent et cotoient les nombreux restaurants et quelques institutions marseillaises comme le santonnier Carbonel et son musée ou le célèbre Four des Navettes.

Near the old port district Estienne d'Orves - Place Oils, is one of the most pleasant places to stroll to suit your desires ... The square is home to many bars and restaurants, crafts, several art galleries, the chamber of crafts and many shops selling clothes.

Boosted by strong neighborhood merchants, the area is often the place of cultural events.

Parallel to the place, Sainte, in recent years has become one of the fashionable streets of Marseilles. Many concept stores bloom there and rub shoulders with many restaurants and some institutions such as Marseilles santonnier Carbonel and Museum or the famous Four Shuttles. 

I will walk through here to get to my internship every week

Lively street I had my first meal "out" on. I walk down it to get to my internship.

Le Vieux Port  -  "Le coeur et l'âme de la ville"

The Old Port - "The Heart and Soul of the City"

 

Pour découvrir Marseille, tout commence sur le Vieux Port et les rues adjacentes.
On s'y retrouve sur l'une des nombreuses terrasses ensoleillées, on profite de l'ambiance unique et on part à la découverte des boutiques et restos qui longent les quais.

Haut lieu des sorties nocturnes et culturelles, le vieux port est à  l'image de marseille, un lieu unique où se côtoient toutes les populations, des touristes aux pécheurs traditionnels.

Marché aux poissons tous les matins, écaillers, locations de bateaux, accessoires de plongée, agences de voyages... Le vieux port est à l'image de Marseille, un lieu de vie animé, intimement lié à la mer et aux voyages.

To explore Marseilles, everything starts at the Old Port and the adjacent streets.
One should start on one of the many sunny terraces, where you can enjoy the unique atmosphere and from there you can start to explore the shops and restaurants that line the docks.

Vieux Port is a mecca of nightlife and culture. It is the image of Marseille, a unique place which combines all populations, from tourists to the traditional fishermen.

Fish market every morning, oystermen, boat rentals, diving gear, travel agencies ... The old port is the image of Marseille, a vibrant place to live, intimately linked to the sea and travel.

Opéra - Paradis  -  "Shopping différent en plein coeur de la ville"

Opera & Paradis St - "Shopping 'differently' in the heart of the city

Au coeur de la ville, entre le Vieux Port et la Préfecture, se trouve l'un des quartiers les plus intéressants.
Autour de l'Opéra Municipal, le quartier se démarque par la diversité et par la qualité des boutiques que l'on y trouve.

La rue de la Mode, la rue Davso, le bas de la rue Paradis et bien sur la rue Grignan attirent de nombreux marseillais.

At the heart of the city, between the Old Port and the Prefecture, is one of the most interesting neighborhoods.
Around the Municipal Theatre, the district is noted for the diversity and quality of shops that are there.

Street Fashion, Street Davso down the street and of course Paradise Street Grignan Marseille which attract many. (Paradis has everything... H&M included. Craziest and busiest H&M I've ever been in)

This area is one of the more commercial and newer areas of Marseille. Be prepared to be attacked by the homeless...

This is where all of the tourists can be found! Along with Vieux Port. None of which speak English might I add you. Nor do the majority of the natives... Kinda tough. At least I'm animated!

  

Getting Stuff Done in Marseille

Patrick came over for all the many questions I still had. We never got the hot water or the oven working... But eventually, us smarties, figured both out. 

We also figured out wifi in the apartment AND for some reason Marseille is really cool and you can pay a phone/internet company to have wifi access throughout the city. SFR and Free both have routers on most blocks and if you have an account you can get wifi anywhere (only if you sign in every time you move a block away or close your phone... BLEGH).  I now have an SFR account so I can get wifi nearly anywhere, which is nice when you're stranded and absolutely need that connection... 

Patrick took me out "on the town"

Dunno why, but I've learned how to get around this place instantly... Took me weeks in Prague. Probably because I was following everyone else and we took the tram everywhere and the places we went were rather far apart... Also Prague is all curvy and the streets don't really make sense. Marseille isn't nearly as bad at that.

We went to find a place that would make keys. Neither of us knew the word for it exactly, in English or French. Key-maker? Locksmith?

Spent 20euros for 4 keys... EHHHHH..... Did I mention...?

FRANCE IS EXPENSIVE!!!

Especially compared to Prague. Everything is dirt cheap in Prague. For the most part. A glass of wine? $2, a beer? $2... Here? At least $4-$5 and that's dirt cheap here!! Because, of course, France is where you get cheap wine! 

COST OF PRAGUE COMPARED TO MARSEILLE  - no, but seriously, go here. You'll learn something. Explore the site. It's pretty awesome what you learn with a little research ;)

 

Patrick took me out to Cours Julien square (after the ATM)

Interesting Fact: The Homeless are Ruthless here. More so even than NYC or anywhere I've ever been. In Prague, for the most part, they sit on the side of the sidewalk, out of the way, bowing as low as possible so that you can't see their face, with a hat in their hands. Motionless. In Marseille, they sit next to the ATM, obviously already tripping balls, loudly asking for money as soon as you withdraw your bills... I also was standing on Paradis street (shopping district) trying to get Wifi and a man came up to me showing me a coin. I said I don't speak French and kept repeating "No." First of all, all I had was Czech coins... He wouldn't leave me alone. He began following me. Maybe if you're polite I'll give you money old man... I walked away.  

 

And we had a coffee. I had an iced coffee (which he said he never has, and now I realize no French people have. They have their mini EXTRA STRONG coffee BLACK). 

So, Patrick thought this was hilarious, but I kind of thought it was a tiny bit rude, but the iced coffee came out with a straw and there was like foam bubbling out of the top of the straw. I grabbed the straw to suck on it, but to my dismay, it was a spoon to stir the coffee with a little ball on the end. Patrick literally couldn't stop cracking up for probably 5 minutes straight. He thought it was absolutely hilarious. I just sat there laughing for probably 10 seconds, then in silence as he continued to laugh at me... It was only slightly awkward... Love the guy, but that wasn't that funny...Or maybe it was... Guess I just don't get the French humor.

Meeting My Boss Lady :)

Headed down my NOW favorite street of Rue Estelle (the really steep one that leads from steps from Cours Julien). It's a great view. Not my favorite street when I have to go back up it though!  Below it (it turns into a bridge) you can see the bustling street of Cours Lieutaud running perpendicular.

 

I love the location of Monkey Bay Productions, the production company I'll be interning for in Marseille. It's right off of the port. As your walking down the (yet another) steep hill of the street (Rue Fort Notre Dame) towards the office, you're walking towards the Vieux Port. 

 

Great People. I'll technically be working for the Journalist, Coralie, and I will be finding them "fixers" in the foreign countries that they will be filming their documentary in. The "fixer" (as it is said in French) is the person that finds the people and families to be filmed making sure they are good candidates in front of the camera and making sure the logistics are ready for shooting in that country. They will also be doing transportation. I would say that they are the production coordinator in that country, but they do more than that and not exactly the same things, at all.... So not really a production coordinator. Kind of like a Production Manager for that Unit... But not a UPM, having nothing to do with budget, as it is my understanding...  

So that's where my research skills (and fluency in English) come in handy. 

Oh yeah, they offered me a work email. Uh huh...

I'm really excited about working for them, I'm just nervous that they want me to start so soon. I was hoping for a little bit of a break (maybe a couple weeks before getting back to work in the film industry)... But I guess that's just how the industry works...  

 

One problem: I still didn't have a French phone. I had given them my Czech number which to reach me by. 

So I went to an SFR store (made a friend with the woman who works there: Julia!) that I had passed by on my walk to MBP (I've never done that before... haha) along Rue Sainte (if you read all of my blog, you'd know a little bit about Rue Sainte already!). Like I said, things are expensive in France. Supposedly things in Marseille are about half the price that they are in Paris... So that's one of the big reasons I chose Marseille! It's also supposedly the cheapest city along the Mediterranean coast. Which results in a lot of North African immigration, and immigration in general.

Definitely going to be eating mostly from home. Restaurants are so expensive unless you get like a gross salad (slightly better than Prague cheap salads) or a panini from a little cafe somewhere... I miss chlebicky for 16Kc (a little less than $1).

But nothing beats my home cooked meals. Or so I think.... And the spices that I usually use for my chicken are fresher than ever because I use Provence spices :))

Oh Provence. Oh Marseille. How I love you