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| Wife and Son in Roman Arena at Arles |
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| 2000 year old Roman Amphitheater next to Colloseum |
Just 15 miles from our present hometown of Saint Remy is Arles. They are both just up the Rhone River from the Mediterranean Seas coast. Both towns were very important to the Roman Empire in the 1st century AD. Both cities received fresh water from Roman Aqueducts that carried fresh spring water from miles away. Arles used that water to power mills that had 10 giant waterwheels - lined up so the water could fall from one waterwheel to the next. This provided flour to bake bread for the entire city.
The climate of both Arles and Saint Remy is called Mediterranean. It was hot and dry with full blue skies when we were there. A strong breeze helped keep us cool. Even though temps were in the 90s - in the shade - the breeze kept you very comfortable. It is perfect weather.
ROMAN COLLOSEUM - It is divided into three levels - similar to a football stadium today. People would come to watch gladiators fighting. They would pay more for lower level seats - they would have private entrances. Today they still use the arena for bull fights and concerts. It is in remarkably good shape for being 2000 years old.
ROMAN AMPHITHEATER - This is an open theater for plays and concerts. Today it had a full sound and lighting system. People sit on the same stone seats used 2000 years ago. the venues are next to each other - with plenty of restaurants around.
In Roman Times there was a pontoon bridge across the Rhone River - simply the bridge floated. It was the last bridge that crossed the river before you reached the sea. Along the Rhone are dams and locks. The French make electricity from the dams - locks allow river boats to go upstream to Lyons.
The French make 70% of their power from nuclear energy - and 30% from water power - wind power - and solar power. They plan to reduce the nuclear power to 60% by 2030.
Arles is famous for the arts. The natural lighting and the historic buildings make excellent settings for paintings and movies. Vincent Van Gogh painted 300 of his paintings here including Starry Nights. This famous painting is valued at over $100 million. Van Gogh was in a mental hospital when he painted it.
Every day my son has a new side trip planned for us. I feel like a grand tourist - something new every day. By the time the day is over - I don't know how I could have lived without it. Friday back to Paris - Sunday to London for a week - then back to Paris - then home to USA. It is Day 51 of 60. Where did the time go?
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| Our home in Saint Remy - 3 bedrooms - 4 baths - granted walled in courtyard |
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| If I were bringing a car home - it would be a Citroen 2CV - 24 HP - 2 cylinder - air-cooled - FWD - convertible |
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| Arles on the Rhone River |
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| 2000 years old Colloseum |
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| Arena ready for bull fighting |
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| Three decks |
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| I loved the hot dry breezy weather |
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| Top row |
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| Family of 4 |
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| Shops and Restaurants |
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| Piaggio - the same company that makes my Vespa - makes this ice cream truck |
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| Granddaughter slept thru lunch |
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| A restaurant for Melanie Turrano |
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| Van Gogh painted this restaurant |
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| Stage view |
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| Solid rock - 2000 years old |
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| Good seats for show |
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| Colloseum and Amphitheater together |
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| Art shows |
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| Lulu loved this glass enclosed pool |
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| Arless from the air - muddy Rhone |
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| VanGogh's Starry Night over the Rhone. |
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