just another day in france!

yesterday we went to arles which is the gateway to the camargue the vast rhone delta with black toro's, white horses and pink flamingo's.  ir is an ancient city with roman ruins.  on the way, trying to save $ we took the senic route.  on the way we tried to stop at an outlet for olivado products.  lots of fabric and pottery made in france.  it wasn't open.  and we noticed alot of other stores not open.....it was ascention day-40 days after easter!  national holiday.

alot of the places in arles were open.  the arena is still used for bull fighting and the amptheater   still for concerts.  there is part of the roman forum that is still standing but oddly a part of a building from the 1700's;  really odd.  we walked and ate.  i had my first encounter with a dog in the restraunt.  a family brought in their yellow lab.  every dog we've seen has been well behaved.

we went back to get our car and the adventure really began.  the ticket machine wouldn't read out ticket.  what to do?  buzz, buzz the recording said something carla couldn't understand.  we went to the exit...no one in the office!  more buzz, buzz.  now the french voice is yelling from home over the intercom and carla can't figure out what he's saying.  off to the tourist office and they send us to the gendarma hq 2 blocks away.  go back and get the phone # and we'll call for you.  ah! no answer.  the gendarme suggest we break out way out and they will close their eyes.....great idea. non!  finally they walk with us to the parking garage.  he chides us for not parking on the street since it's free onthe holiday!  shit!  what an idea.  too late now!  he hears from the garage.  just put the ticket in the exit like you were leaving and buzz, buzz and he'll let us out!  ah so simple.  the gendarmes have a tale to tell about idiot americans  probably more funny than ours!  vive la france!