Chris, Anneka, Sophie & Lily Cindrich: Avignon, what our vacation was supposed to be all along

What a great day. Outside of having to get up early (9:15am) and chase down a Laundromat a few miles away, it was an outstanding day. Sun was out, mild breeze, perfect temperature, great company, wonderful sites all making for a perfect day to stroll.

Avignon was as interesting and beautiful today as it was over ten years ago when we were here last. We did a walking tour that encompassed much of the historic part of the city center. We toured the Palace of the Popes, the "other" headquarters of the Catholic church for around a hundred years during the 1300's. It's sparse inside but your imagination needn't roam too far to appreciate how grand and lavish the place was during its prime. One thing I've noticed on this trip is how many buildings were either garrisons for soldiers or prisons during the Napoleonic years. The Palace of the Popes became a garrison.

The girls were great today. We stopped at a park this afternoon so Soph could play. She made instant friends with a couple of little kids there and played with them for some time. She was on one end of a teeter totter and the little boy was at the other and she was talking to him and I said, "Soph, they don't speak English." Then the little boys mom spoke to him and he replied in English. It was embarrassing. She also made instant friends with a little boy at the carousel in the main square. It makes you realize that if the world had the innocent view of a child that someone else is just the half that makes the teeter - totter, we'd all get along peacefully.

All in all it was just a spectacular day. Everything I hope for when I come here.

Soph having her 2nd ice cream of the day, chilling in front of the Palace of the Popes

Hangin' out

Found a street musician she liked, so, dropped a Euro in...

And sat back and enjoyed. This guy was playing "Spanish fusion" guitar. It was beautiful and I too sat mesmerized listening to it. I bought his CD and I'm sure like other times I've purchased a street vendors music, it will provide instant memories every time it's played.

There was a guy making huge bubbles and Soph was enthralled in it. The guy was super friendly and encouraged her to come try.

Soph's instant new friends at the park

Content little Lil with a full belly.

On a section of the city ramparts

Soph's other friend she met at the carousel. They were cute chasing each other around and playing tag.

Bought some art, as I'm known to do. These will be prized possessions

Toured the Palace of the Popes. This is the "old palace", which of course means it wasn't big or good enough, so they had to build a new one next to it. There's a lot of indulgences in them there walls!