NIMES SEPT 2005 for a few days on a v cheap Ryanair flight on my own, plus musings
Tony Blairs Britain vs France – I like Britain but I don’t like Tony Blairs Britain. So do I prefer France???
I arrive today in Nimes. I haave booked a hotel, the cheapest in Michelin but central. However I change my booking, seduced by their view and pay £82pn more
What do I get – 3rd floor room, no lift, no offer of hel with luggage.It may have ac but in summer it will need it. Minimal dim light. One side of bed has phone and main light. Other has dim reading light.
Choose! Michelin view consists of a palm tree in square – so what. In Barcelona I got this and more for much less.
No tissues even in bathroom. One sachet of shower/soap so how do I wash my tights? I scrub sana soap. I ask for a pillow and get one very soft one – why not 2? Should I have asked for 2? Would a Britiwh coastal town be more interested in selling themselves? Yes from what I have experienced.
Art? ‘Yes only modernist – you wouldn’t be interested. ‘ When I say yes then a map is produced. But do I know where to get buses, will I dare??
Meal
Square on Monday eve deserted. I haad spotted a woman putting up a board earlier. Walked up there. V interesting 2 course meal but no cheaper than London even wine, a half pichet 8f. 23 f 2 courses, The difference is less carbohydrate dry bread. Execruiciatingly slow service but no one [French mainly] complained or showed surprise. 17 in total on a Monday night, one woman in front, probably 1 cook. Coffee bags in a machine but good
Afterwards Arena. Beautifully floodlit. Brasserie with people in. I ask for a coffee – no closed.the people inside could have asked for coffee but not me
Just want to sit outside and look.
Tourist bureau bus map requested and produced. Nothing about tours of Nimes. It is end of season but Pont du gard appears and have to get a 2nd bus. But how far how long? Can I get back in a day?How do tickets work? Do I risk going without facing the dragon in the tourst office. I ask about markets – no market- Monday now only. Only one in Halles, veg etc only. As that was all I was interest in…….
So do I prefer UK? Difficult
Why cant we have both? Could the hotel and tourist office not have given me info, sold their city, allayed my anxieties. Could the brasseries not have welcomed me and offered coffee?
Rigidity vs market forces – a third way????