Summer 2005
Summer 2005
27 June | 28 June | 1 July | 2 July
27 June 1:45pm
Today I found a wall. It's not every day someone finds a wall. (actually I've now found a total of two...but enough of that). This one wasn't expected. Of course it was in my unit...About time it gives me something good. Well, I think it's good. Nadine (the director) isn't too thrilled. Here we thought this one room would be simple, but it's turned out to be a lot more complicated than needed, especially now we're in the 3rd week.
I've decided the weather forecasts are utterly unreliable. I checked online last night and they predicted a very hot, sunny day. Instead so far this morning it's either been cloudy or downpours. With the temperature a good 10 degrees (F) cooler than anticipated. Not that I'm complaining of the weather, on the contrary, I'm loving it. It's the predictions that are driving me batty. On Wednesday, they predict much cooler temperatures and rain. 10 bucks says it'll be hot and sunny, those bastards.
We've lost a bit of crew members, three have finished their two weeks, another's on holiday and the other's presumed sick. In return we have one new girl. But because of this change, there are only 3 girls and 6 (I believe) guys. hmmmmm, good numbers, eh? (kidding!)
Must run now. Hopefully a report on yesterday is on its way.
7:05pm
I wrote about it and therefore cursed it. The skies parted and the brutal sun appeared. And up the temperature went. Dear Lord it was horrid this afternoon. On a brighter side, my wall continues on in the dirt and the area continues to give me more stuff.
Anyhoo, yesterday I slept in a bit, say 9am. Had myself a decent continental breakfast (As oppose to entry #2) worth the 11 Euros. Checked out and left my bag for a few hours, then headed over to St. Andre Cathedral a bit before 11 so to give myself a half an hour to explore inside the cathedral before mass. Well, unfortunately, Mr. Tour Guide Book did not want to be helpful because the mass was actually at 11am. So no photos of the inside were taken. Much to my dismay because it was really beautiful inside. The cathedral was a perfect gothic-looking cathedral with flying buttresses and all. To make up for my loss, I went next door to the Tour Pey-Berland, paid the 2.30 Euros and took the 226 steps up to the top. The foundation of the tower dates to 900 years ago. The building itself was first built in the 15th Century. I got some fantastic shots of the city, as well as a few of the cathedral's and tower's architecture.
I enjoyed the view for a bit before walking down the block to the Musee de Beaux Arts, which featured a niced collection of 17th-19th century French, Italian artists and a few Germain and Flemish. Afterwards I enjoyed the garden next door and worse I was being followed by an old man. (I'm paranoid.) I made a great escape into a Virgin Megastore. How could I resist such temptations? I picked up 3 cds, all soundtracks - Kill Bill Vol. 1, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Batman Begins. All I'm content with. Two of them were 8.99Euros, again, how am I to pawss up such a sale?! In any case...I wandered around a bit, picking up a few random items, before grabbing my bag and finally saying goodbye to beau Bordeaux. Well guess now I should start looking into plans for this weekend! And away I go!
28 June 7:25pm
Feeling Fine.
No really! I can't complain. I even feel inspired. I got through 3 postcards even! Quite an accomplishment if you ask me. No, but I'm content with my hole in the world. It's starting to look mighty happy. Not only is it giving me some fun things, but it wants to become complicated. It appears, at some point before the final ground floor was laid in, the cellar walls were knocked down a bit. So from one side to the other, there are currently rocks throughout sloping downwards (as oppose to upwards?...matter of perception eh?)
The weather sure has begun to change. This afternoon brought many thunderstorms our way. It's amazing the sense of peace and rest a thunderstorm can bring. I actually didn't mind working in it. (It did help that I remembered my raincoat).
I think what fascinates me of this area is that there are sites everywhere, many of which have yet to be explored. I've certainly picked a good area of France. I hope down the road, I'm able to have my own excavations in the area. (Way, way down the road). Sadly, from what I've been told, there's a lack of funding for these excavations. It's quite possible that this one might be in its last year or so. Guess that's how it goes with archaeology, so many places to dig up and explore, not enough money to do it. (Maybe that's also why archaeologists aren't paid much...) It appears that this is the case for many places not just in France. Such a pity. Such a pity.
1 July 10:30pm
Ten thirty and all's well! Or so I've convinced myself. The rain's finally petered out and I'm feeling a bit better. My hole has caused me more grief by revealing an enormous layer of rocks. I shall never escape them. I've gone down quite far in my hole. It comes to my waist now. I now have to use the ladder to get in and out. Sadly the "wall" that has no wall is becoming quite weak, so the director and I have decided to drwa a profile of the wall on Monday and then dig out the other half of the cellar. We're also doing this for my safety as the layer of exposed rocks on the wall has become great and it's come down to, if I remove a rock close by the wall, the rocks in the wall might collapse on me. So what fun, we finally get to excavate the entire top half of the cellar. Fingers crossed we'll find a set of stairs. ;) (They've gotta exist somewhere, right?)
Besides that, we've lost a few more people now, as we near the final week. What started out at about 15 people has dwindled down to about 7. (though we'll get some more people next week) hopefully we'll be able to accomplish much in this last week. For example, I'd really like to get to the bottom of my cellar. It's now my quest.
This weekend I've made plans to go to Rouen. So that means many more pictures to take and sights to see. As well as a nice bed to sleep in. The train ride's gonna take a bit longer than last week's so I've worked out an early train out and a decent-hour one back, so to come in in time for my friend to pick me up at 6pm on Sunday.
2 July 2:25pm
I'd like to pause for a moment before I go and explore the town and say, Ahhhhhhh, I have a balcony!! This is the cheapest place I've stayed at and I have a nice room with a huge bathroom and two balconies (doors to the outside in each room). Holy shit! And my view...wait for it...Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Rouen. I'm loving this. Must run now and plan the day!
8:45pm
Back for more writing (With MTV in the background). The big word on tv is Live 8. Thank God for tv, I honestly would have been completely oblivious about it all.
So I had a beautiful time walking around Rouen. I started off next door at the Cathedral (and found out, stupid me, my camera battery was beginning to die, so I only managed the bare minimum of photos.) It's a beautiful cathedral. And each night this summer there's a light show at 11pm. It's amazing to discover how much damage this city and its structures took during World War II. This cathedral and the Eglise St. Maclou had a display of pictures from after the war. It's so saddening. The cathedral dates from the 11th Century and has evolved over the centuries. My 2nd stop was Eglise St. Maclou. (Okay, part of me loved the name, but that's besides the point of me seeing it.) This church was originally built in 1200 and rebuilt in 1432. Both sites have such amazing gothic structures. The last church was Eglise St. Ouen, where Joan of Arc received her death sentence.
I guess I should interject at this point and point out that Joan of Arc played a very promenient role in this city. She received her sentence and burned at the stake here. One of the main roads is named after her. For those unaware, she's the patron saint of France. (Ahhh, and on a side note, as I just checked my happy tour book, William the Conqueror died here in 1087 as well).
Alright, enough of the tourist crap.. Wait, no...there's more. But back to the day. After a mass of church sighting, it was time for museum-sighting. PIcking up a three-museum pass, I started with (take a breath) Musee Le Secq des Tournelles, an Ironworks Museum. Having an enormous of ironworks collection dating from the 4th century and through the 19th century. (I searched, but my attention span only allowed me to find things as early as the 12th century). The museum itself is housed in a 16th century church, with the displays strategically placed throughout the small building. Next was the Musee des Beaux-Arts, with a collection of paintings from the 16th century all the way to the 20th century. And finally ending the tour at the Musee de la Ceramique. Thus museum contained an extensive collection of 16th to 18th century earthenware. Now I ask myself, how come when I'm digging I never find anything as elaborate and interesting as the ceramics in that museum, huh? Bah, I say. Bah
Ending my museum-sighting, I made my way to Place du Vieux-Marche. Currently it's the place of the Eglise de Sainte Jeanne D'arc. Previously, it's where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake. Sadly, I think the modern Eglise has worn away the beauty and vaule of the place. But on a lighter side, the route on the way back to the hotel consisted of many stores, including a few chocolateries (how could I resist). I grabbed a bite to eat for dinner and then made my way back to the hotel to relax, write and catch up on current events. Ah, on the way back, there was an airbrush artists on the road, making these amazing pictures. He attracted quite a crowd of admirers. And this crowd, in unison, gave a huge groan when this drunken (or maybe high) guy walked through and stepped and kicked a few of the finished paintings. I think the entire group of people were just utterly shocked and stupidfied at this idiot. The artist paused at his work as the idiot conversed with one of the watchers. I was too far away to hear the conversation and that and I wouldn't have been able to understand them much. Madness in any case.
So, so far I've definately enjoyed every place I've traveled to. If I was here longer, I would add quite a few more cities to my list. But alas, it must be saved for another time. Ahhh, looks like I've caught Lost on tv again. I can't resist French Charlie with British accent. Il m'amuse.
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Cheers!
