Arles in a Downpour

Since tomorrow is a holiday in France, the smart locals have taken today off as well....who can blame them??? So we suspended our original plans to go to Nice and decided to stay close to home and headed to Arles. Unfortunately, the weather didn't' agree with us and it poured the whole way there. When we arrived we found parking by the Office of Tourisme and tried our best to see the town in the rain. 

It turns out we were visiting Arles during their 500 year celebration for Antico Confrarie di Gardian de Bouvino e Roussatino. I'm not completely sure what this celebration is for, something about ancient cattle and the guardian of Roussatino??? Anyway it was very cool.  They had a parade of horses around the amphitheater and bull fighting scheduled for tomorrow. (that would have been awesome!)

Our first stop in between downpours, in the city center

 The city was full of music, it was so cool. I particularly liked this man's contribution to the festivities!

 The Roman Ampitheater....The Arles Ampitheatre dates to 90 BC and is capable of seating 20,000 spectators and still hosts bullfighting and plays and concerts.

 Here I am in my 'hijab' to avoid the rainfall....actually I used my scarf to keep from getting soaked, but this picture looks pretty funny. The man at the ice cream stand told me to make sure and not cover my face as that is illegal in France. I think next time I will remember to bring my raincoat!!!!

 Mischievous puddle jumping.....

The horse parade around the Ampitheater..

In true french spirit we stopped for lunch! We saw as much as we could in the rain before Steve spotted the perfect restaurant where we could stay dry! This was quite the find and anyone visiting Arles in the future must seek this one out!!! It run by a husband & wife team and the food is absolutely out of this world. This is the best lunch we have had here....and a value! The restaurant is called L'Ecrin and it is located across from the Amphitheater. But this one is quite different from the other pizzerias and tourist cafes, it is simply wonderful.

This was not your typical cafe, it didn't have a 'Menu Enfant' but rather created one for London - a petit Entrecôte, sautéed pomme terre and vegetables. As for us, Steve opted for the menu de jour which was the best salad we have had here and then pork medallions and vegetables followed by the homemade apple tart.

 My plate choice was Pave Tuna with three vegetables

 Homemade macarons with a creme brûlée filling.....WHO combines macarons and creme brûlée????? This was complete heaven!!!!

We are already planning our return visit to this restaurant with my parents....the other menu options we cannot wait to try....duck with honey and balsamic vinaigrette, sea bass in a foil packet, lamb with provencal seasonings, etc........AMAZING!!!!!!

We met a friend from Boston, Armando.  He is visiting various places in France and Italy in memory of his wife.  We talked golf and baseball and he told us some great stories.  After thinking a bit he looked at me and asked....do you like baseball?  I replied of course.  He said, I was at the game where Carlton Fisk hit the famous home run, do you know what happened before that.  I thought a minute and said.....was Bernie Carbo involved.  He laughed and said of course, he hit a 3 run home run before Fisk hit the famous home run.  One minor trivia point on that is that a Tucson boy - Pat Darcy - gave up the home run.  Mr. Darcy attended Rincon High School in Tucson which was a rival of my high school.  Armando is spending time in Avignon and then he is off to Sorrento, Italy.

MMMM, more ice cream.....

 Roman Theatre.....

 Church door.....

And then of course......London found the carousel.....

On the way home we drove through some beautiful tree-lined streets. So pretty....

I think Steve is getting inspired by all this wonderful Provencal cooking, food and ingredients! Tonight he 'whipped' up this amazing fish and vegetable dinner. London and I think he is getting into this lifestyle quite nicely....we are reaping the benefits!!!! ;->