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July 21, 2006
Nimes
Stayed for 2 nights in Nimes, which I think a bit rushed. This is the first time I stayed for 2 nights in a city instead of 3. It's doable but if you're doing it slow and easy like me, 3 should be minimum at any place. Three nights give you enough time to rest, recharge and enjoy the stay.
Nimes is a pretty little town and has some remarkably well preserved Roman ruins. Arrived at Nimes at about 1PM on Sunday afternoon, as expected the city in a shutdown mode. Everything is closed and the next bus to the hostel won't arrive until 2:45PM. Luckly while looking for the correct bus I saw 2 other backpackers, a Mexican and a Qubecquois. Since there is only 1 hostel in Nimes we knew that we all were going to the same hostel, we chatted and exchanged travel stories and it made the wait somewhat bearable.
Once we arrived at the hostel the Mexican dude and I went down to the city, him to have a look since he was leaving the next day and me to find a boulangerie so I can buy bread for my dinner. I've spent waay too much money in Paris and Lyon and expensive accomodation in Marseille, so it's time to put a stop on my spending. I've been eating a combination of bread, Nutella and canned fish for the past few days. Although it sounds horrible, I've been in a worse eating period than this, it's fine.
I found out that eating bread and Nutella somehow a good catalyst for other people to give food to you. French people are a lot nicer than their reputation and certainly fellow backpackers are the nicest people on earth. I've been given food at least 3 times if I remember correctly. In Marseille a bunch of local teenagers (16 - 19yo maybe) gave me their Mc Donalds cheesburger and chicken to me. Other backpackers have given me their spare bread, alcohol and even fruits!
Luckly there was one boulangerie that was open, I bet that shop made a killing on that day. Bought my baguette and walked to the beautiful Jardins de la Fointaine to have my late lunch and just enjoyed the garden. I paid the EUR2.70 fee to climb up to the Tour Magne. Up here there's an amazing view of Nimes and its surounding countryside.
The next day I went to Pont du Gard, a a UNESCO world heritage site 42 minutes bus ride from Nimes.
Posted by vhadiant at July 21, 2006 05:18 PM
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