Nîmes & Pont du Gard

Nîmes arena

This trip was the start of the never-ending week and by that I mean I would really like to sleep in. I've been up before 7AM too many times for a person my age. Anyways, griping aside, Nîmes was a very interesting place with a lot of Roman influence. It was a very hot day though. We climbed to the top of La Tour Magne where we were greeted with great views and we also saw other Roman
ruins that are in surprisingly good condition. We visited les arènes, but that was a bit disappointing as there was asphalt laid down inside and it was trying a bit too hard to attract tourists in my opinion. It's still used for bull-fighting and concerts today, but in the olden days it used to house a village. We ate lunch there though, which was nice. After, our professor took us for ice cream and boy was it delicious! I had vanilla and pear with whipped cream (chantilly) and it was great and perfect for such a hot day. Fun fact: Nîmes is known for making denim (as in the material used for jeans). Denim-de-nimes. Mind blown.

Le crocodile is a symbol of Nîmes

As a sidenote, I've noticed that the French people who run don't really have athletic gear in the sense that Americans would think of it. I have seen a lot of people running in polos and these capri-type pants. I've also seen someone running - as in clearly exercising - in what looked to be jeans, but the idea to me is too strange to accept.

We traveled to Pont du Gard next (a Roman aqueduct associated with Agrippa) and it was really magnificent what with all the arches and the blueness of the water. It was just so picturesque and I couldn't stop taking pictures. You are able to swim there right by the bridge as well, and since we were by the water it wasn't as hot and was actually pleasant. Driving home in the bus, our driver got lost and this was after our professor had gotten off the bus, so it was interesting having to direct him in French. I will say that in Montpellier there are less English-speaking people than in a place like Paris or Florence, which is great for me because I'd like to improve my French! Bonne nuit, il faut que je dorme!