Monumental
I followed the point-by-point instructions in Let’s Go: France, but wasn’t sure I’d taken the correct bus – much less gotten off at the right stop – until the museum appeared ahead of me. After a half day of vague directions and multiple bus transfers, it wasn’t far now. Shifting the backpack on my shoulders so it wouldn’t rub the sore patch along my collarbone, I sped up, buoyed by relief that I hadn’t gotten hopelessly lost. Again.
Sweat dribbled down my temples. I recalled the Provence of cinema, perpetually sunny and pleasant. Today, I sweated through my clothes, same as yesterday, and every other day I spent walking on solo day trips from town to town. At least part of this walk meandered through a copse of scrub-looking trees, which while not diminishing the temperature, sheltered me from the sun.
When I rounded a wide corner and emerged from the trees, I halted. Sweat and blisters forgotten, my breath swelled up until it expanded my entire being. I traveled two thousand years back in time as I exhaled.
The massive Pont du Gard aqueduct spanned the gorge over the Gardon River, sturdily knitting the hillside together. Reflexively pulling out my camera, I unsuccessfully tried to capture the Roman monument in my lens, all the while unable to tear my eyes away. It pulled me toward it like a celestial body, and I walked on.
Reaching the place where the structure met the hillside, and I gingerly stepped out onto it. After a few cautious steps on the unyielding stone, I understood its permanence and glided confidently to the center. As the guidebook promised, families with floaties and rafts played in the water below, and I breathed a sigh of relief. Though I had worn my bathing suit under my clothes, I wasn’t about to hop in the river if I was the only one. Despite my desire to free myself from the heat, I perched on the edge, absorbed in the profundity of standing on a structure that predated Christ. My previous life and all its confusion slipped away.
Eventually I walked back across and picked my way down the hillside to the sounds of laughing and splashing, squealing and talking. French, still a beautiful mystery to me at this point, only became comprehensible when enunciated slowly and carefully. Right now, it served as background music punctuated by the staccato of occasional German and other unidentified Nordic languages. As I set my pack on a boulder, the tittering of friends bantering, of families chatting, of teenagers flirting reminded me that I hadn’t spoken to a single person all day. I suddenly felt freer than I had in my entire life.
I removed my shoes and sticky socks, peeled off the tank top that had fused to my torso. Stepping into the blissfully cool water felt akin to baptism. I merged with the river, floating to the center and taking in the new view. Though nearly half a day’s journey back to my little garret in Avignon awaited me, I lingered, lazily floating and listening to the sounds of life around me. The ancient aqueduct assured me I had all the time in the world. This time, I would have no trouble finding my way.
All photos my own
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47 Comments
that cynking feeling
Your story reminded me of the time I tried to hike to Hadrian’s Wall. Unfortunately, I assumed the path would be obvious and never actually made it. I’ve always wondered if it was really close when I gave up, too scared about getting lost.
I’m glad your perseverance was rewarded. It makes for a lovely memory and story.
that cynking feeling recently posted…Not a mother figure
Natalie the Singingfool
Isn’t it funny how the landmarks in Europe are so hard to find? It’s like looking for buried treasure.
Dianne
Very nicely done! Made me want to be there.
Natalie the Singingfool
Thank you! Writing this made me want to go back, lol.
Tyler J. Yoder
This returns me to my exploration of Mt. St. Michel, when I was young. I particularly like the subtlety of the religious terms winding their way through the piece. Well written, ma’am.
Tyler J. Yoder recently posted…Poetic Interlude VII:
Natalie the Singingfool
Hey, I did an exploration of Mont St. Michel, too! LOVED it there! It was like visiting a magic kingdom…
Thank you for the compliment. 🙂
TAM
Wow!! Absolutely beautiful. I am so glad I found your page this morning.
TAM recently posted…Wordless Wednesday 5/15/13
Natalie the Singingfool
Thank you! 🙂
Karen
Beautifully written. You made me want to by a plane ticket to France!
Karen recently posted…Things Are Not Always As They Seem
Natalie the Singingfool
DO IT. 😉
Kristin
Well done – great choices throughout. I love seeing pieces grow! Those last two paragraphs especially really work wonderfully well with the image of floating, lingering.
Kristin recently posted…Love is Brewing in Montclair
Natalie the Singingfool
Your help was invaluable, believe me! Thank you so much!
Mod Mom Beyond IndieDom
Sounds like an amazing solo adventure. You described it so well and I felt like I was there. Glad you decided to get in the water. It would’ve been a shame to miss that opportunity.
Mod Mom Beyond IndieDom recently posted…Good Read: The Ballad of Helene Troy
Natalie the Singingfool
I know I would’ve regretted it.
Stephanie @ Mommy, for real.
That was so beautifully written, so vivid. You are a gifted writer!
Stephanie @ Mommy, for real. recently posted…What I’d Like To Tell My Childless Friends, But Won’t
Natalie the Singingfool
Wow, thank you! 🙂
Kerri
Your writing made me feel as if I was experiencing the adventure with you. Thanks for the needed break
Kerri recently posted…Survivor, the Sibling Version
Natalie the Singingfool
Glad you felt that way! I was hoping it would read like a mini-vacation. 🙂
Ericamos
There really is nothing like that feeling of seeing something so incredibly old and historic. You seemed to describe the feeling perfectly, as well as made me feel as though I was actually there and experiencing it myself. Very nice writing. 🙂
Ericamos recently posted…Cold Showers
Natalie the Singingfool
Thank you, Erica! It was really fun to re-create the experience. 🙂
icescreammama
Gorgeous!! the descriptive writing and the adventure!
icescreammama recently posted…Mother’s Day? More like Other’s Day.
Natalie the Singingfool
Thank you! It was a blast to relive it.
Sandra Sallin
Just wonderful. I was right with you. What an adventure. Can’t wait to read more. I admire your gutsiness to travel alone by foot. Bravo.
Sandra Sallin recently posted…True Confessions: How I flunked making pasta in Italy.
Natalie the Singingfool
Thank you! It was really the best thing I’ve ever done.
zoe
THat last photo is a stunner. Well done!
Natalie the Singingfool
It doesn’t do it justice. 🙂
zoe
I have been meaning to say I also like the new blog look…and the logo is adorable.
Natalie the Singingfool
Thank you! 😉
Joe
Now you’ve made me regret that I didn’t jump in the water when I was there.
Joe recently posted…Sexiest Nationalities
Natalie the Singingfool
You DIDN’T jump in the water?? You missed out! 😉
Chris Plumb
I wondered why, beyond your exquisite prose, I liked this so much (given my disdain for the Frenchies). Oh, yeah, history…and Roman aqueducts…and your prose.
Almost made me want to go there.
Chris Plumb recently posted…Private Hobbit Lives vs. Public Wizard Personas
Natalie the Singingfool
Provence isn’t like the rest of France, Chris – much more low-key and rural. You’d go nuts over the Roman ruins all over the countryside; they’re like abandoned toys, all over the place.
Tracy @ Lifes Back Roads
Beautifully written, and love the pictures!
Natalie the Singingfool
Thank you!
IASoupMama
I want to go to there… Really, I do!
IASoupMama recently posted…The Things that Make You Feel Better
Natalie the Singingfool
I want to go BACK! Let’s just go. 😉
Mary Jane's Makeup
What a beautifully written piece!
Stacy
Mary Jane’s Makeup recently posted…An Open Letter to Mike Jeffries
Natalie the Singingfool
Thank you!
julie robinson
What wonderful memories to share with us! Thank you.
julie robinson recently posted…Gag Reflex
Natalie the Singingfool
🙂
Melissa@Home on Deranged
Gorgeous! Although I was secretly hoping for some kind of romantic interlude. Too many romance novels? Or is it France? hmmm….
Melissa@Home on Deranged recently posted…Does wearing pearls make my toilet look fat?
Natalie the Singingfool
Haha, as much as I would have like a romantic interlude, this was solely a self-discovery trip. Maybe next time…;)
erin
LOVE this piece! It took me back to my own backpacking through Europe experience, but to a place I had never been (but will DEFINITELY be adding to my list). Thanks for the mini-adventure on a Friday morning!
erin recently posted…Destination Unknown
Natalie the Singingfool
Thank you! It’s definitely worth visiting!
Claire Lopez
What a wonderful adventure! And your photos are beautiful!
Claire Lopez recently posted…Something You Should Not to Say to Your Author Wife…Ever
Lisa Goodmurphy
We spent two weeks in Provence a couple of years ago and the Pont du Gard was one of our favourite day trips. It’s a wonder to behold and I loved the fact that we were surrounded by so many French families having a picnic and enjoying the summer day – unlike most attractions where we were surrounded by tourists. And I get lost all the time too – sometimes it leads to the most amazing discoveries! 🙂
Lisa Goodmurphy recently posted…Old-Fashioned Fun at Avonlea Village
Natalie the Singingfool
Yes! Getting lost was the best part of the trip! And this was one of my favorite spots. 🙂