Monday, March 28, 2016

In Roman Times..........

March 28
Nimes
We visited the Roman amphitheater in Nimes today. It dates back to the 1st century AD and is the best preserved arena in the world. Obviously it was used by gladiators, but it's had many other uses in its 2000 years. Today it is even used for bull fights!!
Then we canoed under the Pont du Gard--a three-tiered aqueduct that was once part of a 50km system of water channels built around 19 BC. Those Roman engineers were something!!
By the way, did you know that denim originated in Nimes and that in the nineteenth century Levi Strauss bought, by chance, a batch bearing the number 501!!  The rest is history. And 'blue jeans' is a phonetically anglicized form of 'blue de Genes'. 

Friday, March 25, 2016

What's more Swiss than fondue?

March 25
Geneva, Switzerland
Very quiet in the city on Good Friday. Museums closed but visited key sites--United Nations, old town, Reformation Wall--and had traditional "moitie-moitie" cheese fondue, half Gruyere and half Vacherin. Extra good washed down with wine. 

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Adoption complete!!

Munich, Germany
We visited the BMW Welt today and came away with a brand new, shiny red baby--BMW that is. Left Munich and drove across Switzerland to Geneva. Nice ride!!

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

The World Isn't Safe Anymore

On the day we are to leave for our jaunt through France, we learn of terrorist bombings in Brussels. We will not be deterred, but we will be vigilant. On to Munich!!