Saturday, August 4, 2007
Today was Marseille. Steve, April and myself did our 2nd DCL excursion. We went to Avignon AKA The Palace of the Popes and Las Baux. For those that don’t know. Avignon was for many years the “vacation home” or home of the 2nd papacy. Turns out for some time, we had some turmoil (understatement of the century) and the papacy was torn apart by an era known as the The Great Schism. I learned about this in world history when I returned to college a few years ago. Turns out that one pope, was it ClementV or Benoit something or other retreated here from the Vatican City when an attempt was made on his life. He started a whole line of popes that resided here. As I am doing this from memory from a few days ago, please forgive me if I’m wrong. Anyway, the title of Palace of the Popes is a bit deceiving for nowadays it would be known more as a fortress. What is amazing is that gorgeous cathedral that adorns the side of the palace. We were taken on about a 1 hr tour, left on our own for about 45 minutes and then were taken to lunch at a restaurant that wasn’t really a restaurant. LOL – read on for explanation.
We were not allowed to photograph inside the “palace” although it is stripped down bare due to the fact that during the WWI the fortress was abandoned to the state. Seems that the church had lost its right to it and turned it over many, many years before. So it was used to house soldiers who then would chip off some of could only have been magnificient paintings and artifacts left over. Our guide told us that the large “visiting” facility was all painted in mostly blue and gold filigree adornments but when the soldiers occupied it, they would sell it to local people for the equivalent of $1 Euro/dollar. It saddens me to think that so little disregard to paid to what is a large portion of world history but as the saying goes – who’s to know?
OK let me state for now, that this day turned out a bit frustrating. You all know that we are on a Disney cruise right? Well you would think that people would dress accordingly after all, there are 100’s of kids running around. Turns out as we were walking to the bus from the Magic some little Spanish lady and her kid cut into the line (Strike 1 for me) seems she forgot something in the room. She returned and instead of getting in place she cut in front of me. Then as soon as we disembarked she proceeded to light up the most OBNOXIOUS cigarette and blow the smoke behind me. I know that Europe is FULL of smokers but come on lady, to top it all off, and I’m going to get a bit crass here so I apologize but this is my feelings. She is dressed in SHORT shorts with ½ her ass cheek hanging out and a strapless tube top with a hole cut in front which showed a view of her fake boobs. She was skinny enough to carry it off but she turned out to be a burr in my side the whole trip. And before you all think that I am hating instead of appreciating, this lady, and I use the term loosely, was the most annoying, arrogant WITCH I have come across on this trip. If you think that was bad enough, this lady eventually was continually jumping in front of the whole line to be behind the guide, many times she pushed her daughter in front of us, and as you all know, I don’t advertise my broken Spanish, but I would be taking pictures and they would come up behind me and bump me, one time it was her daughter, one time it was her and the other time they literally walked behind me to wait their turn and let me know I was taking up too much space. Well, then, when we were filing into what amounted to Benedict V or other bedchamber, I was walking across a small footbridge when she told her daughter to cut in front of me (n Spanish). April was behind me and so she inserted herself and her daughter between me and mine. Then from behind me I hear Steve say - go ahead - your daughters up ahead. Boy was I steaming. And yes, I ripped into Steve as soon as I could. If that wasn't bad enough, later, as we were supposed to meet for lunch, she came up behind me again and tapped her foot while I was framing a picture.
SO then, we continue on our tour, walk out and are let out for 45 minutes for free time. Upon that ending we walked over to the restaurant which really was a holding area for soldiers but is sometimes used for big lunches for tourists, amazaing view from the balcony. It overlooked the Arno River in France. Anyway, during our LONG lunch, I get a text message from Megan asking me to pick up a fan for her as she couldn't find one and that is her souvenir from every port. So I ducked out on our long lunch which is now going on over 1 hr and dessert yet to be served. I left, ran around to a shop and picked up some fans, postcards and yummy smelling soaps. Upon returning to the restaurant, this same lady is leaving with her daughter. I thought to myself, we are getting ready to leave and I bet you she'll make us late. Sure enough, about 10 minutes later, we get up to leave, get back to the bus and the lady's husband, boyfriend tells the guide, she isn't there. We proceed to wait for about 10-15 minutes and I tell you I thought the bus driver was going to throttle her. Anyway, she nonchalently climbs abroad and tells her outher half when he proceeds to chastise her - don't talk to me if your going to yell.
Ok so we're now about 20 minutes late to our last stop, Les Bouex which is very similiar to Garden of the Gods in CO but in white. Or the ancient Indian cliff houses with a medieval twist. We get off the bus, walk to the front of the gate and the guide tells us, ok - we're running behind so we only get 1 hr instead of our allotted 1 1/2 hr (thanks a lot lady) and just before we are let go I see her walk over to Steve and apologize. I am watching this from a few feet away and I hear Steve say - that's OK so of course I walk over and say very loudly as I see that her husband is looking over at us, I ask Steve VERY LOUDLY - what happened? He tells me nothing, I insisted and he says, she spilled some chocolate on my shirt. WHAT???? Then of course, I ROLL my eyes very dramatically. Her spouse catches me and walked over Steve and apologizes. I harumphed and walked away. Later, I bump into her as I'm taking a picture of some type of harp player playing for us.
So, anyway, I buy some souvenirs, our time is up and we all head back to the ship. Guess who's missing again? But that's alright folks, she's only gone for 10 minutes this time.
Anyway, I enjoyed razzing this lady and turns out I am not the only one that noticed the clothing and diva attitude. I "happened" to make a sarcastic remark about how I wish people would realize that this was a Disney cruise and to not have their ass hanging out of their clothing, when a fellow cruiser joined in and confirmed my thinking. Then when everyone was waiting to leave, someone said, oh great - guess who's late again. I sorta felt bad for the hubby as this lady was socially ostracized and her clothing had a lot to do with it. I think we all realized that this wasn't just right. Anyway, even with her antics, I can safely say that Avignon, for its history is worth going. I enjoyed it immensely.
After we headed to the ship, got there about 8:15 and dinner that night was at 9 pm. Went to bed and got ready for the next day - La Spezia. So on now to my next adventure to be continued tomorrow night.
I came off the ship with a slight nose cold. I cannot go to bed as when we arrived in Paris the Barcelona airport lost one of our bags which just happened to have all me medication for colds. So guess who has to suffer some cold symptons.
On the plus side, the hotel we are staying at - the Hotel Des Residence is great. a 3 minute walk to Notre Dame. Today, we start private walking tours so I will be doing double typing until I catch up. So for now, and to hopefully get some relief from this cold, I will be signing off. I'm now having trouble with photobucket site so I guess no more pictures for now. later all.
No comments:
Post a Comment