After dinner, we walked by the Arenes and through l'Esplanade Charles de Gaulle. This was actually our first time seeing this part of the city at night, and it was definitely a treat. The Arena and Monsieur Bullfighter were nicely lit up and all the streams around l'Esplanade Charles de Gaulle were glowing with ever changing colors.
Read MoreRemember our post about 3 reasons why it's good to travel with kids? Today was a perfect example of 2 out of 3 of those reasons.
Read MoreThere aren't a ton of things to see in Nimes. The amazing historical sights can be visited over a 3 day trip, but the city can grow on you. There are a lot of other little things people do here to keep themselves occupied, and that is what we have in mind for the rest of the week.
Read MoreWe had promised the kids, specifically Hannah, that we would go back to the fountains on Avenue Jean Jaurès so that she could play some more.
The kids got dressed in their bathing suits, and we got dressed in our running clothes. We took turns watching the kids at the fountains for 30 minutes, while allowing the other person to go for a run up and down Avenue Jean Jaurès, which was slightly over 3 miles.
Kian enjoying the cool splash on the hot sunny day
Hannah trying to refill her water gun
As a runner, I think there is no better way to truly see the town/city/village that you are staying at than taking a nice run/jog/power walk. First off, you look like a local, and almost feel like one too, because you are not holding a map or a camera. Secondly, you are not concerned about what sights are coming up next; whatever will be will be, and you just keep on running. I saw quite a few tourists with maps in hand, people taking pictures of the garden gates (with iPhones), and lots of little kids on a field trip holding hands and being told to stay in line :).
With the invigorating run behind me, it was my turn to watch the kids. I noticed the already horrible looking bug bites on Hannah's legs seemed to be getting even worse.
Mosquito bites all over Hannah's legs
Hannah must have some sort of allergic reaction to these bites. as her legs looked red and almost swollen. I always carry a small first aid kit with me that has all sorts of emergency items, including allergy medicine. I gave her a the proper dosage and saw and shortly saw an improvement, although not a significant one.
After being out in the sun for a while, the entire family needed a nap... especially Hannah, as I think the allergy medicine got her a bit drowsy.
Since Hannah's legs were still red and very itchy in the evening, we decided to head out to a pharmacy and see if we can find something that would alleviate the itching and swelling.
There is a pharmacy within walking distance; however due to its central location in a touristy part of town we had noticed the prices were very high when we stopped in the other day. Instead, we went for a little drive and found one a bit outside the main part of town, which did indeed have better prices. The only problem was that none of the pharmacists spoke English!
Thankfully, the mix of our French (learned in high school), a translation app on our iphone, and body language was sufficient to covey our question. We found an "after sting" cream (Apres-Piqures) for children, called Baby Apaisyl, which is apparently made by Merck in Italy. We also purchased a mosquito repellent spray to prevent future mosquito attacks.
What I found most interesting was that while we were there, two mothers walked in with their children and just went right up to the counter, showed the pharmacist the child's problem (in both cases a skin irritation of sorts) and asked what they should do. The pharmacists either recommended a product to purchase or explained what could be done resolve the issue. This was of course very helpful to see, because once we found the cream, I picked up Hannah and showed one of the pharmacists Hannah's legs and asked if the cream would help and he agreed that it would. Amazingly enough, with just one application of the cream, Hannah's bug bites improved significantly and put my mind at ease.
The way the locals asked the pharmacists for medical advice prompted me to wonder if in France, or even in all of Europe, it is generally a common practice to go the the pharmacy, instead of the doctor, for mild ailments. This was also the case in Tehran when I was a kid, but certainly isn't the case in America (probably because of all the lawsuits). A little research confirmed this is indeed very common across all of Europe.
Throughout Europe, people with a health problem go first to the pharmacy, not to their doctor. European pharmacists can diagnose and prescribe remedies for many simple problems, such as sore throats, fevers, stomach issues, sinus problems, insomnia, blisters, rashes, urinary tract infections, or muscle, joint, and back pain. Most cities have at least a few 24-hour pharmacies from which you can pick up what you need and be on the mend pronto.
So, if you are ever in Europe and need minor medical attention, visit a pharmacy first. Chances are the pharmacists can help you out, and you wan't have to go through the hassle of going to a clinic.
After a crazy busy day of walking around town, we knew the kids (and let's be honest, us too) needed the morning to relax.
In the afternoon, we decided to venture out and check out the city center, which is about a 15-20 minute walk.
On the way, we stopped by a playground on Avenue Jean Jaurès (the same tree lined street with the fountains) which the kids had seen and wanted to play at yesterday.
Kian on the whirly disc
We also passed a boulangerie (bakery) and the smell of fresh baked baguettes and random pastries just drew me in.
Mmmm...everything looked so delicious, but alas we kept it together and just bought a baguette, because I couldn't resist the smell. The pastries will have to wait for another day :)
Boulangerie Rondes des Pains
On our way to the city center, we walked through a few side streets, which have an old feel and charm.
The city center consists of a few streets that are pedestrian access only, with a lot of big and small shops, and a bunch of restaurants with outside seating. Quite a few of the stores were closed, either because it was after 5 or because it is August, and well the owners are on vacation. :)
It was starting to feel like time for an afternoon snack, so it was perfect when we saw a crepe stand next to a restaurant. It was no longer time for keeping it together, we're in France after all, so we can't say no to a crepe! We got one with coconut and Nutella and split it four ways.
Coconut and Nutella crepe.. Yummm!
We also stumbled upon a small pond displaying the famous crocodile chained to a column (which is meant to be the base of a palm tree).
One of the signs we had seen the other day had described the significance of the crocodile and the palm tree.
"The earliest occupants of Nimes were the Volques Arecomiques, a Celtic people who settled in the region around 400 BC. Among other deities they worshipped Nemoz, the god of the Spring source. Around 120 BC, the Languedoc was colonized by the Romans and Nimes became a colony under Roman rule. Towards 25 BC, the Romans built a monumental shrine around the spring. Alongside worship of the Celtic god of the spring, then known as Nemausus, worship of the deity of Augustus began. Nimes fashioned itself a bronze currency, which was later to become its emblem: a crocodile chained to a palm tree in memory of Augusts' conquest of Egypt."
In addition to it being on their old money, you can also see this emblem all around town, even on random things like the metal barriers designed to keep cars off the sidewalks.
We walked back home before the little and big feet got too tired. As our dinner was cooking in the oven, we started to watch Toy Story 3.
Family movie date night - Toy Story 3
We paused the movie about half way through to eat our dinner. Roasted chicken with our baguette, vegetables, and salad.
Roasted chicken
We continued the movie once dinner plates were put away. Poor Hannah was very upset when Lotso the Bear was being mean to "big baby" and poking her in her tummy.
Hannah: "nooooo....why is he being so mean to big babyyyyy???"
Hannah crying for "big baby"
She was also upset when the toys were getting close to being melted in the fire. I generally get really sad at the very end of this movie when Andy drives away, so I'm glad I'm not alone in thinking this movie is sad :'(
Thankfully everything turns out great for "big baby" and she is very happy at the Sunnyside Day care center. So Hannah went to bed without being too traumatized (I hope!).
Our family of four is chased summer around the world. Now we are a family of 5, back in the US, and planning our next great adventure.
