Along those two weeks in CiRM, among what I particularly appreciated there:
- the accessibility of the math library around the clock,
- the peace and seclusion of the CiRM buildings, far away from town, with hardly a car around, no driving for a week, students on vacations, and only the timbales of cicadas as a background noise,
- the availability of the helpful staff, whether for ordering books not in the library, arranging a special meal, or locating a climbing site,
- the [admittedly Spartan] studios provided by CiRM for long term visitors like us, with wireless connections and enough room for a small family,
- the background scenery of Mont Puget and of the Calanques national park,
- the multiple trails starting from the Centre, offering running opportunities for every [early] morning,
- the hundreds of fully equipped climbing routes in the Calanques, the nearest ones being 20 minutes from the Centre,
- an evening swim in Calanque de Morgiou, with hardly anyone around and incredibly warm water, followed by a fritura of small fish in the local and unique restaurant,
- a great bouillabaisse in CiRM, along with other good meals ([that I had to skip after a while!], and another one in the last fisherman district of Marseille, thanks to Michel’s hospitality (along with an incredible 1976 Monbazillac!),
- and, last but not least, the complete availability of my coauthor, Jean-Michel! (Which was the point in asking for a research in pair support in the first place!)
