The walled city of Avignon has an interesting story. At one point in time, Avignon was home of the pope and antipope, following a split in the Church. This would have been the few occasions where the papacy was outside the Vatican.
Having a Catholic up-brining, I feel that faith and history are starting to come together in a way that I appreciate a little bit more. Although I am no longer practising, this tour of Europe is starting to expand my understanding of my beliefs, of what I have learnt and experience and is changing me. First with Notre Dame in Paris and second in Avignon in the South of France.
After being dropped off at the accommodation, I took part in a guided tour of the city. The walls that enclosed the city are amazing, specially as I walked parallel to it. The height and steadiness of the walls gave the impression that this would have been a fortified wall, defying many sieges in it's time.
I took a photo the night I arrived and can imagine what the city would have been like. I could hear music across the way and can imagine some wedding or festival on the far side of the city near the river. The moon was full and with the street lights illuminating the city, it added a feeling of being transported back in time.
Some photos:
Avignon was also the first time I had McDonalds in Europe, where you could order beer as part of the meal.
Pont Du Gard
I remembered receiving a postcard from Elise once of Pont Du Gard. I had some idea of what it looked like but to be standing there, crossing the bridge was an amazing experience. This was another "I can't believe I am here" moment.
I am amazed at people's ingenuity, particularly the Romans. Their footprint and influence is far reaching and for me to be experiencing right then and there feels very much a connection. A connection with the people who built it, a connection with the people before me who would have stood and admired this great work, and being part of something greater than myself.
This is us, we did this.
I feel that history is coming to life around me. A feeling that in the scheme of things, I am part of a tiny bit of history and time. I am starting to see remarkable things that have stood the test of time and witnessing proof, and appreciating them a little bit more as I travel across Europe.
I wonder what other great things are there to see...
Next stop: Barcelona, Spain
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