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Nimes and Pont Du Gard
We found a lovely little campground in Nimes, Pont du Gard, France... Domaine de la Bastide; it was a bit tricky to find. We were lulled into easy finds in Spain, because we found a camping book that had GPS coordinates. We have not been so lucky in southeast France; we have some knowledge in Spanish, but are clueless in French. So the happy dumb-wanders just keep going. Actually we have found everything we wanted to find and are safe and sound...that is a good thing.
We began our day waiting at the bus stop, just outside the campground, for the local bus to Nimes. The Romans claimed this land after the Celtic Tribes. What a wonderful surprise, built at the end of the 1st century AD, the Roman Amphitheatre is one of the largest and best preserved amphitheatres existing today. We have been traveling around and are becoming professional tourist, but the audio program here at the amphitheatre was super. We felt as though we were witnessing the hunting and fighting spectacles, featuring animals and gladiators, even the background noise was perfect.
The Amphitheatre has, more recently, been turned into a
bull fighting arena. It seems a lot of blood has been shed here. The side show of the gladiators and the bullfighters was fun... in it dark room with great displays of Armour and videos.
We returned to the campground a little after noon hour ready to leave, however, it is closed for two hours, not siesta but the French equivalent. So we took our time and at two began to travel to Site Pont Du Gard.
Pont Du Gard is a demonstration of Roman technical skills. It is the finest and best preserved aqueduct built to convey water from a spring near Uzes to Nimes. The work started in AD 38 and was completed in AD 52. A thousand men worked on the site, using 50,000 tons of stone. It is a vast area with hiking trails everywhere and great views. The hiking trails lead all over France, it could be a day hike or a backpacking trip. We did the day hike.
We ended our day biking into Remoulins, a town nearby our campground--Camping La Sousta, Did a bit of shopping and headed "home" to do laundry. Laundry is another process, it can be difficult,
and very expensive. Today's laundry, one load, is 5.50 Euros to wash ($8.25) and 3 Euros ($4.50) to dry. Many places have washers but no dryers, many times people hang laundry. It is just a different system.
We try to use "plastic clothes" ---as we call them... polyester.. the type that wicks and is quick drying. Bob has developed a system... he uses a "dry bag", from our kayaking stuff, and some castile soap and water,.. and soaks the "plastic clothes", then rinses them in the tubs at the campgrounds, then they dry outside rather quickly. It seems to be working. Linens and towels ...that is another matter. For those we need washer and dryer. And the cost is more than you wanted to know....
We try not to get too crazy about the difference in the Euro $ and the American $ ...but it is hard to ignore ...when a glass of OJ is $ 7.50, at a cafe....I just can't do it. Thank goodness we can buy food at the supermarket and cook at "home". I truly believe the American $ is low, as it should be, but the European $ is way inflated and will
eventually crash.
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Jamie Dillon
non-member comment
Text Book?
Just thought you'd both like to know, I had almost the exact picture of the Pont du Gard in one of my social studies text books. I love all these pictures (Europe is SO pretty :D) but seeing that picture is so cool.