HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM :)

Old Avignon is still a walled city - among other things there is a university inside. Most walls built in the middle ages in France have since been torn down to keep air flowing and diseases down. Avignon's wall was left up to keep flood waters out because the Rhone can rise halfway up the wall. We practiced singing Sur le Pont d'Avignon in preparation for seeing the bridge, and then it was off to the Pope's Palace. During the 1300s nine popes lived in Avignon instead of Rome. I love stonework, and there certainly was plenty of that. Spiral staircases, impressive ceilings, some remaining frescoes. Nina was an excellent guide and I enjoyed the morning. Fun Fact: To announce selection of a new pope they would ring the bell for 24 hours (and the other churches would chime in.) We got to see the kitchen, and it was interesting how the (very tall) chimney in the kitchen goes from square (like the room) to round. The Popes' personal quarters were well preserved, with nature-themed frescoes.

Lunch was at a typical brasserie called Contra. Too bad mom couldn't eat too much of her birthday lunch; we were all served the same thing: a cheese filled pastry, small salad, pork loin in a cream sauce, chocolate cake with chocolate sauce. Luckily she was still pretty full from breakfast.

We opted not to take the afternoon tour elsewhere (mostly due to very steep hills and cobblestones) - only half of group went. The rest of us were returned to the old part of town (with 'babysitters' Ales and Suzanne) for some foo foo shopping. Mom was hoping to find some earrings, and bought 2 pair. I also got her some cute goodies she liked as (another) birthday gift. I will give her the real gift at dinner; I know they have something special planned as a birthday surprise, and the menu tonight includes some of her favorites.

In the square in front of the palace there was a lot going on: people dining, vendors selling jewelry, live statues (Zorro, and a soldier), a bubble maker, etc.

We returned to the boat for our first real downtime - the other half won't return for 2 hours. At least the other boat that docked here yesterday (inches from us, on the river side) has since left, and the folks on the river side of the boat can now look out their windows again. The people on that other boat had to disembark this morning via our top deck and down our stairway. Their 'lucky' crew got to schlep their luggage along the same route.

And now you're more or less caught up.