Arles: Mediterranean or Tundra?...

                                                  Icy Fountain in Arles

Brrrrrrr! That's the first thing that comes to my mind when I sat down to write this post. There's a cold front going through France and practically the whole country has gone under a major cold spell. If you look out the window here, you wouldn't see any difference in the weather from the past few weeks. The sun is shining, the sky is blue, and there isn't a snowflake in sight. But, I'm here to tell you: don't be fooled folks, it's all a trap!! I spent yesterday outside and came back thinking the fridge was a radiator.

You might be asking, "Why, who is this crazy person to choose spending all day outside in Fargo-land rather than sitting in French class like all her other classmates?" In response to that question, I would have to say I honestly didn't see it coming. Two days ago, the German teacher gave me a permission slip to go to Arles (In the south: think Cote d'Azur.) If you just clicked on this blog for the first time, let me give you a little background: No I don't take German. Yes, I have an in with the German teacher because I'm the super-cool Rotary exchange student (or something like that). Anyway, I assumed the south would be warm, and I was all for exploring a new city rather than sitting in school all day, taking two exams, and reciting a 16-line French poem from memory for M Saint-Clair's class. Sign me up!

The bus left at 8 and I was lucky to get a seat with Marilyn. She's been like an angel this year. She talked to me when no one else would, and even though she's not in my class and I don't see her very often, she always treats me like a friend whenever we're together and just that right there is more than any exchange student could ask for. 

When we finally got to Arles, we stepped off the bus into freezing cold and wind that could knock you down if you weren't careful. It was an ancient city with plenty of Roman-ruins, but it was difficult to take in all the beauty when there were thousands of sharp needles prickling your skin and your hands were pale and purple because you forgot your gloves. As the day progressed, the wind quieted down, but the cold continued. At one point, I went to the bathroom and my hands were so cold that I couldn't even button my pants back up afterwards. I was trying so hard to grasp the button on my pants, but my motor skills were not mimicking my brain, and after about five minutes, I finally gave up. I spent half the day walking around with my pants unbuttoned, and for once, it wasn't because they didn't fit anymore.

After a guided tour, we were given free time to explore the cities by ourselves. Marilyn and I walked around together in desperate search of a café for a few minutes sanctuary from the cold with a hot drink. Surprisingly, we were walking and walking for maybe 45 minutes until we found something that was open. I know the stereotype of France is that there is a café every other store, and I was really hoping this stereotype would hold true for Arles, but unfortunately, it didn't. There were plenty of expensive restaurants, but almost no cafés. We ended up stopping at a really small café that wasn't very good at all. I ordered a nutella crepe and a hot chocolate and was disappointed to see a half filled mug without whipped creme and a pre-made crepe stuck on a plate for me. Very un-French like if you ask me.

We were all happy to be back on the heated bus and headed back to Privas that afternoon. Arles was beautiful, but take my advice and go in the summer!