Oct 11 (Week 5-6)

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Well, this week Garry will be acting as chief blogger since Kathy is off having a “wonderful time” in Beijing, China, where she is to give an invited talk. Her plane left Marseille 50 minutes late, which would have given her exactly 5 minutes in Munich to get to her plane for Beijing, but that flight was also delayed. So, I am happy to report that she and her luggage arrived safely. I sent our one-and-only beloved camera with her, with orders to bring back lots of pictures—next week’s blog! Upon Kathy’s departure to Beijing and my immediate loneliness, I found a small television set in one of the storage rooms left by a previous tenant—we had heard rumors there was one around. We have 7 public channels, by antenna, including one USA channel (TMC). I have watched several reruns of the 1990s tv hit (questionable hit) Hunter, as well as a rerun of NCIS. Unfortunately, they have been dubbed into French, which will perhaps help my French—which has improved very little, since every time I try to speak French, everyone responds in English. I can only conclude that my French must be atrocious.

Moving backward: A week ago Saturday, Kathy and I jumped the train to Avignon, which is where the Pope fled during the 14th century when things got really hot in Rome. Seven or eight popes resided in Avignon before their return to Rome at the end of the 14th century. Prior to the arrival of the Pope, Avignon was a thriving city where the Romans had built a bridge during the 13th century, Pont Saint-Benezet, that spanned the massive Rhone River, a portion of which still remains standing (see photo). While in Avignon, the various Popes build an incredible military fortress, called the Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes), which housed a church and residence of the Pope, all very luxurious. There is picture of the fortress from the bridge, followed by a picture of a model of the structure. Upon taking a picture of the model, I was sternly instructed that there were to be NO pictures taken inside the palace buildings—so you shall see none. The inside was largely barren, except for a few frescos, because of the looting over the years following the departure of the Pope to Rome—but it is still an impressive structure that has seen very little physical damage, other than the looting.

Avignon is a beautiful city, including many wonderful outdoor restaurants, one of which we enjoyed at a very reasonable price—even converted to US dollars. (By the way, while our TIAA-CREF retirement is getting kicked in the can, the US dollar has improved considerably upon the euro, making the ATM withdrawals a little easier.) Many of the restaurants in France, such as the one in Avignon, have a set price for a 3-course combo in which you select your entrée (salad, soup, etc.), main course, and then a dessert. Ours meals were 16 euros each, which, as in most French restaurants, includes the tax and tip—so about $22 US each.

On Sunday of last week, we took about a 2 km hike (one way) from our apartment to the Palais de Longchamp (built in the middle of the 1800s), which is a combination of palace and gardens. The palace now houses, among other things, a museum of natural history and a museum of art, as well as an observatory. The pictures in no way do justice to the magnificence of the palace (which is much much larger than seen in the picture) and gardens. There are much better photos on the web. Just do a google of Palais de Longchamp.

Kathy is to return late Wednesday night, and with luck, we will be able to follow her journey in Beijing on our next blog. Our best to all of you.

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Photos

St. Benezet Bridge
This bridge, built in the 13th century by the Romans, once spanned the entire Rhone River until a flood destroyed a portion of it.

Palais des Papes
Palace of the Popes seen from the St. Benezet bridge.

Model of Palais des Papes
This is our one and only picture taken inside the Palais des Papes, it is a model of the Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes).

Palais des Papes
This is NOT counted as a picture of the inside of the building, but is one view from within the walls of the massive structure.

Palais de Longchamp
The Palace of Longchamp, about 2 km from our apartment.

Palais de Longchamp Gardens
The gardens at Palais de Longchamp are quite large. One could spend a day walking around here. There are not many green spaces in this part of Marseille.