Today I decided to visit a town nearby called, Dignes les Bains. It has baths with mineral waters. Sounds like a good idea to help ease my hip that has rheumatic symptoms!
I needed to catch the free bus into town at 7:00 a.m. in order to make the connection for the coach to Dignes. I had 45 minutes to spend in between the connection so I took a beautiful stroll in the central park. If only I could send the extraordinary sensations of cold to you.
I captured this lovely photo of the rotunda in the park, just as light was visible in the sky. The days are incredibly short. Sun rise; about 7:30 a.m.
The melting snow leaves a patchwork pattern on the grass.
The trip to Dignes was a spectacular vista of the mountains and small cute villages. Listening to french music on my i phone really put me in the mood.
I was delighted when I arrived to see that there was a full-sized market in the middle of town. The brief walk along the central street towards the market was an icy blast. After 10 minutes the biting cold was starting to permeate my bones. I think I could safely say that it was the most chilling experience I have had of cold that I can remember.
I circuited the market, reluctant to pause any longer than a few seconds as I was starting to turn into Jack Frost.
A cappuccino in a cafe was much needed. The cappuccino has many interpretations by many baristas. I was bemused to see the barista pour the coffee into a tall glass and fill half of it with cream from a spray can. Not the whipped up milk from the coffee machine! I sat at the bar and thought that I would drink half of it. But, alas, he asked me (twice!) if I liked the cappuccino. I lied and said it was delicious! I consumed all of it, hoping that I wouldn't regret the over consumption of calories.
Armed with a shot of caffeine I embarked back to the market. I bought 2 very cheap coats, and promptly wore a double coat ensemble. I also purchased a piece of greek baclava. I remembered being in love with baclava after a visit to Melbourne many, many years ago. Mum used to make awesome baclava as well. The lady recommended another sticky looking pastry as well. I politely declined, but she placed some in the bag anyway and didn't charge me for it. She said that she wanted me to taste it. It was really good!
After the markets I tried to catch the bus to the thermal baths. When the bus arrived after twenty minutes, I found out that I needed to catch the bus from the other side of the road! That involved another twenty minute wait! I was so grateful for my new polar bear coat!
I took a photo of myself to fill in time. It was difficult to smile as my cheeks felt frozen solid.
The look on my face says, " My eyeballs are very cold!"
I took a snap looking up the road. The trees look very barren without any leaves. Dignes is surrounded in beautiful tall hills.
On the bus I got to chatting to a local. He was pretty impressed with the All Blacks. He heaped massive amounts of praise on them. The All Blacks are a real icon here.
I arrived to a desolate building. When I walked inside, I was dismayed to find out that the baths were closed. Gutted!!!!!
The nice lady signed a form and said that I could have a free ride in their van back into town. I took a couple of photos of the exterior of the building.
I asked the driver what he recommends for me to do for the next six hours before my bus departs for the return to Gap. Movies! What a good idea.
I treated myself to a Plat du Jour for lunch. The meat was white, tender and delicious, the salad piquant and the chips lightly fried and fresh.
I chose a movie called The Immigrant.
It was a very powerful movie, making its point with a poignant storyline and brilliant acting. Set in the 1920's, there were many aspects that made me think about immigrating to a new country and the prejudices against foreigners.
The movie was far from up lifting, so walking the streets of Digne afterwards was sombre. I visited the local church and walked back through a part of town where there were no cars. Yes, Dignes is a lovely town. Although it was half past four the sun was starting to go to bed. I took a snap of a picturesque building that sported the name of Victor Hugo. The colour attracted my attention. I smiled, as I thought that maybe a building like this in Ponsonby, could be a brothel.
I waited for the bus inside a warm but uninviting room. The whole 30 minutes was extremely unpleasant as a group of about 15 local teenagers used it as a place to socialise in a very immature and disruptive way.
It was with relief that I nestled into the cosy seat of the coach for the return journey. It was pitch black outside, so my french music kept me company on the way home.
I was so lucky to be dropped off not far from where I lived, rather than having to walk the 3 kilometres from town.
What a day!
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