Oh Purple Rhino, touch me with your plumb point and guide me to something cool

After getting back from Paris on Thursday night, we took 2 days to sleep and reduce the swelling in our feet.
Aboard another mini-bus, into the valley of the Midi drove the brave twenty . First stop, Pont Du Gard. Built in '54, 0054 that is. The story goes as such. The architect tried to build the bridge a couple of times (I built a bridge, it sank into the swamp. I built a second, it sank into the swamp. I built a third, it burnt down, fell over, then sank into the swamp) so he made a deal with the Devil that if he helped build it, he would lay claim to the first soul to cross it. The next day the aqueduct was complete and a mouse scurried across the bridge, giving it's soul to the devil. Im guessing this is why no one wanted to win the inaugural run over the Cooper River bridge.
After that we went to some Abby because of the lavender fields in front of them. A collective "awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww" was had by every girl present.
We then went on to some Cathar stronghold, really cool.
Finally, we hit up a Church where Raymond VI served his penitence for the death of Pierre de Castelnau.
Positives: Fo Free
Negatives: approximately 95 degrees the whole time, I woke up late and skipped breakfast and we didnt eat lunch until 3PM, and I'm crevé.

Wednesday after class we went to Arles. Lauren and I went off looking for a photography exhibition (the symbol for which was a Purple Rhinoceros). We joked that we didnt know where it was but the Purple Rhino would guide us. After "following the gospel of the purple rhino" we stumbled upon the Espace de Van Gogh (the french pronounce the second "g" btw). It was beautiful (the flower pictures on the Picasa), augmented by the fact Lauren, haven worked in a plant nursery knew every flower. By the grace of the Purple Rhino we found the exposition. 35 Euros? Holy Purple Rhino that's expensive! We rocked the free brochure area instead. Some guy took Laurens picture, and I must have scowled at him because he apologized and asked my permission. We talked for a little and then headed out.
[excited whisper] "...Lauren!"
[slightly peeved] "What Matt?"
[openly ecstatic] "We found the purple rhino!"
And there he stood, in all his mauve majesty. After a few touristy photos, we waded in the fountain (bet part of Arles as it was hot anything) and then headed over to the Colosseum.
We then watched a Course Camargese, ( you might be more familiar with its better known Spanish cousin the Bull Fight). But in this one they dont kill the bull. Instead they try to grab a ribbon tied in between the horns (what some boys will do for attention). Watch the video on Picassa for a better impression, but it mostly involved running right at the bull until it chases you, then running for your life at the wall and jumping over. Sometimes the bull follows. I really enjoyed it (Carmen background music and all). Im not sure if Arles was my favorite city, but its been the excursion I've had the most fun on!