As I write we are in Nimes, France, the heart of Provence. We are enjoying a "cafe" (coffee) in front of the 12th century cathedral...the sun is shining, the sky is bright blue & there is a cool breeze blowing. Guests from a wedding that just took place are walking the streets in their finery.
Since we last wrote we have been to Aix-en-Provence, Cassis (on the Mediterranean), and now we are staying in Arles. In Aix we got our first taste of a small Provencal town....in Cassis we sunbathed at the beach and enjoyed the loud sounds of "les cigales" (the cicadas - they are huge, a morph between a cricket & junebug, it seems)...and in Arles and Nimes we are exploring ancient Roman ruins from the first century. All along the way we are soaking up Provencal sights (lavender, open-air markets, beautiful old cities with narrow, winding corridors) and smells (more lavender, the smoke from the cafes, amazing local foods). There are many cute French kids & dogs, too. The local wines are plentiful, inexpensive and very tasty, but to Chad's dismay, most places serve only Heineken for beer...
We are feeling more confident in our French with only a few minor restaurant mishaps...the other night Chad tried to order a fish salad and instead got a country salad of liver & gizzards! He is a much more daring foodie than I, so he choked it down & found a few good things to say about it!
As for me, I am enjoying my share of croissants, crepes, chocolate begnets, etc.
Today we rented a car & will spend the next 2 days exploring the countryside...from there we go to Avignon & take a bullet train to Paris. It's time to sign off & head back to the town of Arles - we are attending a violin concert tonight!
Since we last wrote we have been to Aix-en-Provence, Cassis (on the Mediterranean), and now we are staying in Arles. In Aix we got our first taste of a small Provencal town....in Cassis we sunbathed at the beach and enjoyed the loud sounds of "les cigales" (the cicadas - they are huge, a morph between a cricket & junebug, it seems)...and in Arles and Nimes we are exploring ancient Roman ruins from the first century. All along the way we are soaking up Provencal sights (lavender, open-air markets, beautiful old cities with narrow, winding corridors) and smells (more lavender, the smoke from the cafes, amazing local foods). There are many cute French kids & dogs, too. The local wines are plentiful, inexpensive and very tasty, but to Chad's dismay, most places serve only Heineken for beer...
We are feeling more confident in our French with only a few minor restaurant mishaps...the other night Chad tried to order a fish salad and instead got a country salad of liver & gizzards! He is a much more daring foodie than I, so he choked it down & found a few good things to say about it!
As for me, I am enjoying my share of croissants, crepes, chocolate begnets, etc.
Today we rented a car & will spend the next 2 days exploring the countryside...from there we go to Avignon & take a bullet train to Paris. It's time to sign off & head back to the town of Arles - we are attending a violin concert tonight!
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