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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2009 12:32:49 GMT
Okay, I'm going to wrap this Avignon story up so that other people can start sending us their post cards. The Avignon-TGV train station is a few kilometers out of town, because they weren't going to run the new TGV tracks through the middle of the old city. However, the Avignon-Centre station is also still in service, but it is more specialized in local trains now. There is a big gate to drive through, because the station is on a really big piece of land. The station can hardly be seen through the vegetation on this side. It is actually the official 'back side' of the station which is the impressive side. It looks like a long concrete tube. Architecturally , it is supposed to be the most impressive of the new train stations built specially for the TGV lines. The solid concrete shell is to protect the station from the hot summer sun. The station itself is (insufficiently) air conditioned. Trains only stop for a maximum of 5 minutes, so you need to know where you should be standing on the platform well ahead of time. X marked the spot for me, and it was soon time to go out and wait for the train to arrive from Marseille.
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Post by lagatta on Jul 21, 2009 11:35:36 GMT
Is there a shuttle train from the TGV station to the city-centre station?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2009 12:32:29 GMT
Yes, it runs about every 15 minutes from Avignon-TGV to Avignon-Centre (although I saw that it actually now goes to the bus station just inside the city walls in front of the post office -- about 250 meters from Avignon-Centre station).
modified to say: it is a shuttle bus.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jul 21, 2009 14:00:38 GMT
There are not enough superlatives for this thread nor for your fabulous photography in it!
Kerouac, what is the building on the right, Reply #60, penultimate photograph? It looks modern, but beautifully integrated with the ancient building next to it. Also, I love how the line of very old stone blocks in that picture is echoed in the elegant line of similar-sized boulders in front of the train station. That's a great piece of photography, as well.
The train station is a marvel. It's truly beautiful and looks extremely efficient as well. The landscaping around it is inspired and appropriate. You really surpassed yourself again with that set of photographs -- some wonderful perspectives, compositions, and plays of light and shadow in that group! I love the one from the top of the escalator, and the one just below it with the two guys in the foreground.
This was the most enjoyable thread because of all the great description and the very generous number of excellent photos. Thank you!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2009 14:04:24 GMT
Those older building so bring history to life. Makes you wonder what all our sparkling new structures will look like down the road...
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Post by cigalechanta on Jul 21, 2009 15:39:49 GMT
Wow the newer station is impressive (as well as your photos!) The last time I took the TGV was at the older station just outside the walls.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2009 16:40:07 GMT
Kerouac, what is the building on the right, Reply #60, penultimate photograph? It looks modern, but beautifully integrated with the ancient building next to it. Actually, that is the back wall of the Palais des Papes, built in the 1300's, so perhaps not as modern as you thought. However, I would imagine that a certain amount of restoration may have been done since then.
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Post by lola on Jul 27, 2009 0:02:43 GMT
Amazing thread, Kerouac. Amazing photos. You da man.
What does the broken bridge in Avignon symbolize?
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Post by imec on Jul 27, 2009 0:46:40 GMT
Just catching up on some of the stuff posted while I was AWOL. This is extremely good - it's making me a bit shy about posting my own report...
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Post by bixaorellana on Jul 27, 2009 1:47:49 GMT
Awwww, don't say that, Imec! There is no bar-standard here to which we must aspire. If you see something in someone else's report that gives you an idea of how to present your own, fine. But the beauty of sharing your photos and accounts of what happened during your trip is that it will be eagerly received by everyone here. We're happy you got to take such a trip, and flattered and pleased that you choose to let us partake vicariously.
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Post by spindrift on Jul 27, 2009 22:20:24 GMT
Kerouac - that was a great read and one I'll go back to from time to time. There is so much to learn from it. I am very impressed with the train station. It's nearly as good as the new international airport at Bangkok! You went to a lot of trouble taking so many beautiful pictures.....a big thank you.
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Post by htmb on Dec 17, 2015 4:38:12 GMT
This is a marvelous thread! I don't remember seeing it before. This, and the thread for the following year, helped me to better understand your later Off Festival posts.
I got completely turned around in the old town, but certainly recognize some of the buildings, landscape and the train station. I missed seeing all the people because I visited Avignon at the end of June 2008. I just remember it being really hot weather.
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Post by kerouac2 on Jul 18, 2017 17:34:22 GMT
And so I continue going to Avignon. I will probably post a few photos here, but at the moment here is my video of the 'Off' parade the evening before the festival began.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jul 18, 2017 18:06:22 GMT
Oh my gosh! It's a circus, it's a medieval fair, it's mardi gras -- it's just wondeful. Love the Spanish dancers. Do you know what Monsieur Pois is about? There appear to be two different Alice in Wonderland groups. No wonder you keep going back. Great video, thanks!
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Post by kerouac2 on Jul 18, 2017 18:30:03 GMT
On that first day, I know nothing about anything. I see now that I saw at least two plays by people in the parade. For a while, I was standing next to several families with small children, and of course the performers gravitate to them to give out their leaflets and also inform them that for at least the first few days, you can get tickets two for the price of one. So I saw at least two Alices from Wonderland and no fexer than 3 Red Riding Hoods closely followed by big bad wolves.
The children's shows are not aiming for a big stage in a real theatre. They are aiming at programmers for company Christmas events and other holiday shows, big birthday parties and municipal event halls. I imagine that many of these companies crisscross France, Wallonia and Romandy in a minibus all year and most of their profits are probably swallowed at service stations and toll booths. But they are doing something that they love, learning the profession, and they would not trade it for anything in the world.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jul 18, 2017 19:41:59 GMT
That's wonderful and it's continuing a tradition of the craft that must go way back in history, albeit in minibuses instead of wagons and on super highways instead of through forests and across streams.
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Post by whatagain on Jul 18, 2017 20:00:00 GMT
I'll be close by tomorrow Kerouac. Working close to péage du roussillon. Then I'll drive by in my way to Cavalaire. Enjoy !
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Post by kerouac2 on Jul 19, 2017 16:55:00 GMT
Taiwan has had a major presence at the 'Off' for at least 10 years, but this year Hong Kong was there, too. Their play was subtitled in French and English.
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Post by kerouac2 on Jul 19, 2017 18:15:28 GMT
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Post by mossie on Jul 19, 2017 18:46:59 GMT
And a great time was had by all.....................Except perhaps those who volunteered for circoncision.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jul 19, 2017 19:32:29 GMT
~ ? ~
And your comment was bris-a-bris what, exactly?
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Post by mossie on Jul 19, 2017 19:45:23 GMT
I don't want to come to a sorry end.
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