By: Rachel Chaikof
Despite living in a small village of about 300 people in the countryside, there are many activities to do on the weekends in Lacoste. Almost every weekend, we go on field trips to various places.
At the beginning of the quarter, we went to des Forêts de Cédres, a forest with a trail. Walking through a mass of trees can be boring, but sometimes it brings surprises. After walking for a while, I came across a land with very few trees. Moments later, I realized I was surrounded by magnificent mountains! Walking along the cliff of des des Forêts de Cédres was so surreal that I paused to take several pictures. Many other students snapped pictures, too. There were lots of lush green mountains and rocks. Rocks, grass and trees together make a colorful landscape in to the region.
Another weekend, we went to Mont Ventoux, the highest mountain in the Lacoste’s Luberon region. Just like in des Forêts de Cédres, I was surrounded by mountains while standing atop Mont Ventoux. Unlike des Forêts de Cédres, people can ride bikes to the top of the Mont Ventoux.
Visiting European markets is always an experience. One weekend, I went to Isle –sur-la Sorgue, another village in the Luberon region. Every Sunday, there is a giant market that is a feast for the senses. There are fresh bread, croissants, lavenders, chicken, and honey. Besides food and flowers, there are also paintings, jewelry, scarves and clothes. Not only looking at the products is enjoyable, I also love the fine art of negotiation. I was looking at an item, and the vendor said, “I’ll sell it to you for 2 euros less!” I was immediately sold.
One Friday afternoon, a group of students and I walked to explore a village about three miles from Lacoste. While a three-miles walk seems lengthy, it was quite an adventure as I got to explore the farmlands. I saw vineyards, homes made of limestone, cypress trees lining the field, and road signs much different from those in the