Waiting in line at the Barcelona train station ticket office I had every intention to head straight to Italy from there. The gentleman who assisted me had other ideas, and thank god for that. He had no intention of finding me a way to Italy, and instead offered me a trip to Marseille, France. Having waited in line for almost two hours I was not about to walk away with nothing, so I took it.
From the minute I emerged from the metro in Marseille I was in love. This is one of the most beautifully enchanting places on earth. Outside of the metro you are immediately at the end of an incredible harbor going out into the Mediterranean, surrounded by beautiful old buildings.
I made my way to my hostel, and at 12:30 I was not expecting much, but the guy who greeted me immediately pulled out a map and tried to show me everything I could see in the short time I was there- I have never been so happy for hostel staff in my life. With his suggestions in hand Marseille was an amazingly beautiful and stress free experience. I had the most amazing walk along the Mediterranean, watching locals sun on small beaches and seeing people balance on rocky shores to fish. The water here is like nothing I have seen, it is so clear that when the sun is shining it is a perfect replica of the sky, and on the shore there are so many charming places where paths and steps have been carved into the rocks for access to the sea. There is nothing like it.
Near the harbor, which is so full of life and action, there are a few forts and museums that blend so perfectly into the ascetic of the city it is incredible. Off of the shore there are also a few islands with forts and light houses that look so perfect it is as if the have been there since the beginning of time. Looking at my pictures there is just no way I could have done this place justice. Absolutely spectacular.
From here I had possibly the worst day of my life, but that can wait for later.
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