Day 1! 5 hour dinners, alligators and palm trees

My first full day in Nimes ! It was here and ended in the blink of an eye :(

My day started pretty early considering I stumbled in a tad bit drunk from having dinner at one of the teacher's houses. 7.30am I was up and ready to attack the day. What did I do you ask ? I did what any Caribbean person would do when they find themselves living in new lodgings...

I cleaned :)

As far as I know the janitor made a pass with la serpillère but as far as I know, if I or my better half didn't clean it. It's probably not clean. So I cleaned until 10.30am then made my way to the store . Because I mean, in normal countries, things are open in Sunday. Malheureusement, France n'est pas normel. No grocery, not even a bus ! Come on France! Up to the times! Anywhoser all was not lost. I went to the house of another teacher where I was treated to 5 hours of food. Yes. Food. Courses of salad, cold zuchini soup, fish, potatoes, cheese, brioche, grapes were all served over 5 hours like a type of mental and physical torture. But who am I to complain? The sun was hot, the conversation was interesting and the belly was at capacity. So after 5 hours of chewing and chatting we decided to call it quits and head for a walk about of la centre ville. I am now a child of the alligator and palm tree. Walking around Nimes is like walking amongst a quiet , strong and persistent decadance. It's a testament to tradition and culture but shows hints of modernity at unexpected corners. Squares and esplanades littered with sun bathers ( come on it was 28 degrees C!) contributed full heartedly to the effect. My companion was so knowledgeable about the city's history , the quirks of the town are something I now accept and enjoy and somewhat take pride in. Nimes, your waterways, bull fighting arenas and esplanades exude a sort of magic I thought only to exist in books. I was in true tourist mode today. Snapping away at everything hoping to take everything in , but I also came to the realisation that I have 7 months to soak it in and snap it all away. 5 hour dinners, alligators and palm trees. Nimes, yuh win.