Mercure Arles Camargue 3

Curse the Mistral - it has been blowing for 3 days non stop and it is gale force and freezing cold. It appears to have abated slightly this afternoon and our local guide informed us that it stops after either 3 days, 6 days or 9 days so we are hopeful. Last night it ws like sleeping under a jet ready for take off all night. Poor Big Mama got rocked around and it takes a lot to move her. A big ...

... that will linger in the memory, well beyond the consumption, and without really knowing what we were ordering. After complimentary salads to start, Alison had sliced duck on skewers (the waiter asked, in the manner of steak, how madame would like it), and I had a pot of seafood (Marmite). Both superb. We followed, in the same manner with desserts that were unknown to us, but proved to be delicious – Alison's was a chocolate tart ...

... driver behind us). Ok, so he was waving and flashing behind us and we had no idea what he was going on about so we figured he was either mad or had never seen a car with a right side driver, but then later realized when he drove by that he was only pointing out that the bulb had blown.

Finding the resto was a bit of a challenge, the 3 others (4 including the one we found out was closed on the website before ...

Lucy asked for it and we got it. Today we experienced the beginning of the Mistral season. Each fall and winter Provence is swept by a wailing wind. Lucy made the mistake of saying that she'd be interested in being here for that. She got her wish and our last day was very windy. Luckily, the temperature held and we stayed comfortable, despite having bits of sand and debris swept into our eyes as we walked around.

We visited three towns ...

Believe me you don't want the story but here are a few photos and videos of what was a wonderful adventure for the most part.

The bull running was a random and free event - just next to lovely beach. Camargue horses are breathtakingly beautiful in the wild.

Unfortunately no photos of characterful and cultural city of Arles because only took the camera out one day - the day we went to The Camargue obviously.

After the rainy day previously in Avignon, we woke up to a nice sunny day and hopped on the train to go and explore Arles (Arl - get you matey). Arles was made an important port city with the first bridge over the Rhone river. Arles was a key stop on the Roman road from Italy to Spain. Arles was heavily bombed in WWII but fortunately there are still some intact sites to see. Because we were touring 2 towns in 1 day, we spent only about 3 ...

... better. Tonight we will go to see a bull fight in the Amphitheater and today we will see a number of photography exhibits in town. There is a world renowned photography school here in Arles...perhaps this is the reason we have enjoyed so many great photography exhibits in town. Have heard Flamenco guitar quite a bit here and have experienced more of a Spanish flavor since arriving. Apparently Van Gogh spent time here ...

... bought a bag which wasn't so smart but Kacie loved it when I brought it to IES and she was like "You don't want it anymore? I do!" so it all worked out. We hurried through the market because we had to meet the photo class at the expositions at 9:40am. Because we didn't have class yesterday, we have class for about 3 hours today. So I mentioned how this week it started to really warm up here, well, I was ...

... spilled. Translation was ok today. I finally figured out how the class works because the professor was actually there today. It's boring. Very boring. But I think it's just the way he does the class. He basically gives us different ways to say the same thing. At least it's boring and I understand it, unlike that immigration class which was boring and confusing. After class, we ...

... I went back to the apartment until dinner. A bunch of us used our vouchers for Cuisine de Comptoir. I had the same thing again with the tomatoes and mozzarella. It is for sure my favorite. That night we went to the pub. Hung out a bit. I got home at about 11 and tried not to make much noise. Apparently I couldn't fool the cat that lives in the ...