Arles

Bonjour!

Yesterday, after I arrived in Arles and checked in, I found a cute little bar across the street. What better way to start my journey than with a glass of cool, crisp white wine and some complimentary olives spiked with garlic and herbs.

I have included dinners for this entire hike. Hotel food in the U. S. often leaves much to be desired but not so in France.  Look at this beautiful salad with walnuts and goat cheese.  Even off-season tomatoes here are flavorful here.

My main course was grilled cod with a touch of rosemary served over a bed of vegetables including potatoes, carrots, and turnips.  Turnips!  I love turnips but I never get them in an American restaurant.  Only the French can make the lowly turnip elegant.

Dessert was this sweet cake with custard in the middle.  Little tart berries and fresh mandarins balanced the dessert to perfection.

Although my main focus today was to prepare and obtain supplies for my hike, I did manage to wander around and see the major tourist attractions including this ancient arena.

I didn't pay the admission price because I have seen many such coliseums in past travels.

I didn't know that France had bullfights at one time.  Not my cup of tea.  I want to play like my steak is manufactured by Kroger!

Views of Arles historic district.

Arles is known for its history of Vincent Van Gogh.  I have been singing "Starry, Starry Nights" in my head since I arrived. Van Gogh cut off his ear in Arles.

In spite of the fact that he painted over 2000 paintings while living here, there was only one in the museum.  

I didn't copy the name of this painter but this was the only one I really liked.  Most of the art was too weird for words and I like a lot of modern paintings.

I was hungry at lunchtime so I went back to the little bar across from my hotel.  Thinking I was ordering something small, I ordered a focaccia bread.  OMG.  I have lunch for tomorrow and maybe the next day.  The homemade bread was covered in rocket lettuce, parma ham, and fresh tomatoes and then sprinkled with onions and parmesan cheese. If you have never had parmesan outside of the United States then you have not lived a full life.  And please don't tell me you eat that dried Kraft stuff that smells like throw-up and call it parmesan.  This parmesano makes my taste buds swoon in ecstasy.

So tomorrow I start the hike.  I am a little nervous about the cold and the wind.  It is supposed to be around freezing.  I have warm clothes but I think I better walk fast.  It is only (supposedly) a 13-mile day so not too bad.  

Au Revoir!