This has gotta be the good life.

  July 1st, 2011 was filled with good food, great friends, and adventures to Nimes and the Pont du Guard. All 59 students loaded the bus this morning at 8:30 AM to venture off to Nimes, a larger town about an hour and 40 minutes outside of Lacoste. Everything was going according to plan when approximately an hour into the ride the tire on our bus completely busted, a first in SCAD-Lacoste history. Yet somehow by the grace of God we had the luxury of being stranded right next to a French version of a Toys R Us. It’s crazy to see what children’s toys can do to a group of what are supposed to be calm and collective young adults. Our whole pack of students transformed into kids again at the site of scooters, baby dolls, and all things Hello Kitty. But this shop actually possessed several spectacles that I highly doubt would ever be featured in our “conservative” American stores. Naked male babies and child-size Hugh Hefner robes were discovered on the shelves. Yet, one of the oddest objects I believe I have ever seen was a pregnant Barbie doll. Children are supposed to undress the girl and push on her protruding belly to release a tiny baby figurine. Weirdo’s!

     Once we were picked up by the replacement bus, we were finally ready to press onwards to our first scheduled destination. Nimes was filled with eye-catching historical sites, flowing fountains, vast gardens, and specialty museums. Our first iconic stop was the Les Arenes, an elliptical Roman amphitheater built in the 2nd century AD. It is the best-preserved Roman arena in France, and bullfights still occur there today! Just a short walk through the quaint yet energetic town brought us to the Maison Caree, a Vetruvian piece of architecture. You might know this building as the inspiration for Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello.  The Maison Caree had beautifully crafted details from floor to ceiling. Just across the street was the Carre d’art. This beautiful glass structure features contemporary artists and their work throughout the year. But the best sites of Nimes for me were the fountains and gardens. There were large, regal metal and gold gates drawing us into a land of magnificent, cheerful, and spotless gardens. I truly felt the history surround me, and for a few moments felt like I had been sucked into a different time, and even into a different world.

     We spent the late afternoon at the Pont du Gard, a towering Roman aqueduct bridge that crosses the 31-mile long Gard river. The bridge features three exaggerated rows of arches built in the 1st century AD. Traffic was constantly occurring on this ancient bridge up until only 11 years ago. Tired students took the opportunity to splash around in the chilly river water while others, including myself, decided to sunbathe on the warm rocks while a cool breeze from the east made the temperature absolutely splendid. It was the most perfect, relaxing way to bring this busy and memorable day to its end.

~Peace & Cupcakes~

Creepy toy!

Nimes

My awesome housemates!

Olive trees at the Pont du Gard