Ancient Arles
What an incredible day we have had here in Arles. With it's tremendous history of battles won and lost you can't help but be awed by it all. We explored the Eglise Saint Trophine (a church) today and tried to teach the girls what all the carvings and paintings mean. The power of religion in ancient times must have been absolutely omnipresent. Studying the bones of a man declared a saint.... Over 1800 years ago, then the ancient sarcophagus'... Then the marble carvings depicting where one went if they were good.... And where they went if not.... Wow. And trying to explain it all to the girls was a lesson in itself!
We also visited the Roman Amphitheater and there was a school group there watching a re-enactment of a battle between two gladiators. 2000 years ago the Romans held court in the amphitheater and I swear if you listen and look carefully enough, you can see and hear them still.
Then we picked up a few groceries and headed home for lunch. I was excited to get everyone trying fois gras pâté (don't tell them what that is please!) and some crazy French cheeses (they smell so bad but taste so good!). And of course Derek and I enjoyed a bottle of wine (a Demi bottle given it was only noon). After lunch we all had a bit of quiet time (I love that part ) and we then went walking and shopping.
We may head to Avignon demain, or possibly stay here and explore more. There's a massive market here on Saturday mornings and it supposed to be one of the best in Provence. I can't wait! The table cloths are gorgeous and I am going to get something to help me remember this amazing town.
Friday, 10 June 2011
Thursday, 9 June 2011
Paradise Found in. Provence!
Paradise Found in Provence
Okay I am in love! We arrived yesterday here in Arles which is in the heart of Provence. This stunning city is over 2,000 years old. Back in 500 bc it had a population of 100,000 (today 50,000) and there is history and a story everywhere you look. I cannot wait to explore it!!!
We ar staying in the ancient part of the city within the walls. Our home here is huge (by French standards) and has 4 levels including a roof top deck that I am sitting on as I type). We look out over hundreds of red coloured clay rooftops.... Looks the same today as it must have hundreds (thousands?) of years ago (now though almost every home has a radio antenna).
This feels like home to me... I can't explain it but I feel like I have been here before. It is awe inspiring and magical here.
Like in Banyuls sur Mer, there is a boulangerie down the street so Derek and Morgan have gone to pick up still warm croissants and pain de chocolate. Yum yum!
We will go explore this town today making sure to see the Vincent van Gogh museum (he lived here for a year and painted over 200 pieces while here), the Roman amphithéâtre where gladiators fought wild animals 2,000 years ago, and perhaps a picnic along the Rhone river (which I can see at the end of our street.
I have loved all the places we have been to on this amazing journey.... But I think this is my favourite.
(and property is much more affordable here than in Cannes or Momaco! Hee hee)
Bonne journée mes ami!
Okay I am in love! We arrived yesterday here in Arles which is in the heart of Provence. This stunning city is over 2,000 years old. Back in 500 bc it had a population of 100,000 (today 50,000) and there is history and a story everywhere you look. I cannot wait to explore it!!!
We ar staying in the ancient part of the city within the walls. Our home here is huge (by French standards) and has 4 levels including a roof top deck that I am sitting on as I type). We look out over hundreds of red coloured clay rooftops.... Looks the same today as it must have hundreds (thousands?) of years ago (now though almost every home has a radio antenna).
This feels like home to me... I can't explain it but I feel like I have been here before. It is awe inspiring and magical here.
Like in Banyuls sur Mer, there is a boulangerie down the street so Derek and Morgan have gone to pick up still warm croissants and pain de chocolate. Yum yum!
We will go explore this town today making sure to see the Vincent van Gogh museum (he lived here for a year and painted over 200 pieces while here), the Roman amphithéâtre where gladiators fought wild animals 2,000 years ago, and perhaps a picnic along the Rhone river (which I can see at the end of our street.
I have loved all the places we have been to on this amazing journey.... But I think this is my favourite.
(and property is much more affordable here than in Cannes or Momaco! Hee hee)
Bonne journée mes ami!
Monday, 6 June 2011
Marvelous Monaco!!!
Monte Carlo Here We Come!
We are taking the 8:28 train this morning to Monte Carlo /Monaco! So excited! It is it's own country surrounded by France on both sides. Way back in 1297 a fellow named François Grimaldi captured Monaco and created his own country. It's known for it's Grand Prix car racing, the huge casinos and Prince Albert (Prince Rainer's and Princess Grace's son).
We plan on seeing the royal palace (changing of the guards happens at lunch time), the Napolean collection (he occupied Monaco after the French Revolution) the casino and the best crème glacee we can find!
Yesterday it poured rain here in Cannes. And I mean poured!! The lightening and thunder went on for hours and all the buildings were shaking. We were sitting in a great bistro for lunch when there was a massive bolt of lightening followed immediately by a boom of thunder. The lights all went out and we saw smoke drift by! Maybe one of the fancy yachts got hit?? We didn't ever find out. The. A few hours later, the sky cleared, it got hot again, and we came back to our flat to swim in the pool. The women go topless everywhere here, even at the pool, but we are all used to it now. Well maybe except for Derek :)
Enjoy your day!
We are taking the 8:28 train this morning to Monte Carlo /Monaco! So excited! It is it's own country surrounded by France on both sides. Way back in 1297 a fellow named François Grimaldi captured Monaco and created his own country. It's known for it's Grand Prix car racing, the huge casinos and Prince Albert (Prince Rainer's and Princess Grace's son).
We plan on seeing the royal palace (changing of the guards happens at lunch time), the Napolean collection (he occupied Monaco after the French Revolution) the casino and the best crème glacee we can find!
Yesterday it poured rain here in Cannes. And I mean poured!! The lightening and thunder went on for hours and all the buildings were shaking. We were sitting in a great bistro for lunch when there was a massive bolt of lightening followed immediately by a boom of thunder. The lights all went out and we saw smoke drift by! Maybe one of the fancy yachts got hit?? We didn't ever find out. The. A few hours later, the sky cleared, it got hot again, and we came back to our flat to swim in the pool. The women go topless everywhere here, even at the pool, but we are all used to it now. Well maybe except for Derek :)
Enjoy your day!
Saturday, 4 June 2011
On avez arriver en Cannes!
We have arrived in Cannes! Wow it's so different from Banyuls sur Mer. This is where the world's biggest film festival is held every year (we missed it by about 2 weeks). It's glitzy and shiny. Our apartment is small but ideal for us with a miniscule kitchen, a bathroom (tub no shower) and bunk beds for the girls near the front door. We have a gorgeous view of the Med sea and there's a train station literally 2 seconds away (yep we can hear and see the trains coming and going).
Yesterday we walked around the town and admired the fancy hotels and cars. We saw a photo shoot taking place in front of the Ritz Carleton hotel which was kind of cool. The majority of the beaches are private here in Cannes so you must rent a chair. The weather is not great so we didn't beach it yesterday or today. But we will one day we hope as it's gorgeous!
We don't have wifi here in our room so I won't be able to email/ blog as often. Maybe that's a good thing?
Today we are going to catch the train into Nice and we'll explore the museums and galleries there. We want to go see Saint Paul de Vence and Vence (two hillside ancient towns about 2 hrs from here) this week as well as Monaco / Monte Carlo. Lots to see and do and explore!
Carpe diem my friends!
Xoxo
Sent from my iPad
Yesterday we walked around the town and admired the fancy hotels and cars. We saw a photo shoot taking place in front of the Ritz Carleton hotel which was kind of cool. The majority of the beaches are private here in Cannes so you must rent a chair. The weather is not great so we didn't beach it yesterday or today. But we will one day we hope as it's gorgeous!
We don't have wifi here in our room so I won't be able to email/ blog as often. Maybe that's a good thing?
Today we are going to catch the train into Nice and we'll explore the museums and galleries there. We want to go see Saint Paul de Vence and Vence (two hillside ancient towns about 2 hrs from here) this week as well as Monaco / Monte Carlo. Lots to see and do and explore!
Carpe diem my friends!
Xoxo
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, 29 May 2011
Je parle une peu de francias
Well I did it!!! I was forced to speak some French tonight. All on my own :)
We have met a lovely woman here, Elizabethi, and her two children. She is an American who has been living here in France for the last 10 years. Derek took our girls home to tuck them into bed, Elizabeth was doing the same with her kids, and I stayed and parle en Francaia avec ses Amis. They speak little to no English, my French is about the same, but it worked!
Now I believe we had a good conversation about the weather here in Banyuls and how pirates have been here for centuries. The men I spoke with may think we talked about why horse meat is very good to eat in charcuterie and why pickles are best at room temperature. Either way! I spoke! I am pumped!!!
Took some amazing photos of Banyuls sur Mer this am..... I cannot email them as they are on the camera until we return... But I believe I was able to capture some of this town's beauty and serenity.
This was our last market day here (Sunday's and Weds in Banyuls) and we bought the usual assortment of fresh tomatoes, olives, fresh chevré, raspberries and a still warm baguette. Absolute decadence! We watched the locals dance the traditional Sardane dance at the town plaza while we enjoyed our ice cream's... Then went home and played cards (rummy!) with the kids before dinner.
bliss! Utter utter bliss!
J'adore la France!
We have met a lovely woman here, Elizabethi, and her two children. She is an American who has been living here in France for the last 10 years. Derek took our girls home to tuck them into bed, Elizabeth was doing the same with her kids, and I stayed and parle en Francaia avec ses Amis. They speak little to no English, my French is about the same, but it worked!
Now I believe we had a good conversation about the weather here in Banyuls and how pirates have been here for centuries. The men I spoke with may think we talked about why horse meat is very good to eat in charcuterie and why pickles are best at room temperature. Either way! I spoke! I am pumped!!!
Took some amazing photos of Banyuls sur Mer this am..... I cannot email them as they are on the camera until we return... But I believe I was able to capture some of this town's beauty and serenity.
This was our last market day here (Sunday's and Weds in Banyuls) and we bought the usual assortment of fresh tomatoes, olives, fresh chevré, raspberries and a still warm baguette. Absolute decadence! We watched the locals dance the traditional Sardane dance at the town plaza while we enjoyed our ice cream's... Then went home and played cards (rummy!) with the kids before dinner.
bliss! Utter utter bliss!
J'adore la France!
Saturday, 28 May 2011
Cant add photos
Hi again! I am sorrybwe dont have pictures on here. The ipad won't allow me to add them (must need flash?)
Email me if you want to see some and i havent sent them.
Xoxo
Email me if you want to see some and i havent sent them.
Xoxo
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