On the road we were told by "Madame" (Mme. Berdusco) about some of the things along the side of the road (she was told the information in French by Jean Claude, the bus driver).  One of the things pointed out was the mistletoe which is a disease on many of the trees there.  We stopped at Aix en Provence for lunch at «Flunch» and a bit of shopping.  Before going for lunch we were told to walk around a bit together then we could split off.  But people didn't hear the instructions, and only a few of us ended up following Mr. Hall as we had been told.  Once we started heading back we met a couple of others who thought that no one else had come. Flunch was very overrated but was good anyway. 

        Laura, Jo, and Alana found me and told me to come with them so they could figure out how to order a meal at Flunch.  I went with them, but I wasn't sure what to do in Flunch either.  That problem was cleared up by Mike and Victor who had already been through the cafeteria line-up.  I got some to eat, but it was not great.  I sat down at the table beside the girls where Mike and Shieghla were finishing their food.  When I was mostly finished my lunch, I was asked by Mrs. Moore and Mrs. Tenove to come and help them order at a counter where food was already prepared and packaged.  It turned out that one woman behind the counter spoke English, so my help was not necessary.  After I finished eating I sat down outside and rested for about five minutes while I waited for the return of the bus. 

       

Statue of Jesus on a tower undergoing repair at  Avignon

Part of the group in front of the Pont d'Avignon (names listed on home page)

       After our lunch stop at Aix en Provence, we boarded the bus and headed on to Avignon.  Avignon is the site of the former papal residence.  For a while several centuries ago, Rome was judged to be too dangerous for the Pope, so a new residence was built in Avignon.  After being there for a while, most of  the Cardinals decided that Rome was once again safe and the whole entourage moved back.  Several of the Cardinals didn't want the move to the palace in Rome, so they stayed at Avignon and elected a second Pope.  So for a few centuries, there were two Popes, one in Rome, and one inAvignon.  We walked around the papal palace and town constructed for the Pope at Avignon.  To go on the famous bridge (about which there is a popular children's song) there is a charge, so we didn't do that.
 

        When we arrived in Macon we quickly spotted our hotel, but Jean Claude could not figure out where the access was.  Within five minutes he had it figured and we were at our two star hotel (which was sort of a motel because of the outdoor access to the rooms.)  I was assigned a room with Shea and Brad.  Upon walking into the room and seeing there was only room for two (in one bed) I claimed the floor.  I left my stuff in the room and went outside. 

        Once out I found that the door wouldn't open for some of the girls from Claresholm.  Several people tried, and when that didn't work, they got a hotel employee.  He was unsuccessful at opening it, so he gave them another room.  Needless to say he was quite frustrated and embarrassed.  I learned from someone else (I don't remember who) that under the bed there was a pull out cot, so that became mine.  We went into the eating area for our supper which consisted of salad, scalloped potatoes and chicken.  Mike paid for a bottle of wine for the table.  Victor, Scott, and he each had a glass, and Mr. Hall had none.  I poured myself a small sip (about two tablespoons) and had that.  I found it to taste horrible so I had no more, and I mentioned that several times.  Matt was going on about how they (excluding me too) were all "alkies" but then swigged the last two inches directly from the bottle. 

        After supper we were outside talking and Laura disliked a comment that Victor had said, so she challenged him to a fight.  After stalling several times she did "fight" and would have easily been beaten had Victor tried.  After this went on for several minutes, Laura sat down and told Victor to do back flips, which he did.  Shortly Kevin, Craig, Dave, Jo, and Alana came by and Laura went with them looking for a store to buy some alcohol.  Following their departure Victor did a couple more back flips at Jason's request, then we sat down and talked.  Jason and Matt got chairs from their hotel rooms and sat on them,  Mike and Shieghla sat on the cement, and Scott and I stood some and sat some.  I stayed out there for about half an hour and then went to bed.