2000 Years Ago, Vaison la Romaine

Come to the theatre and while you await
the performance, look around you ...
see these masks? Hercules, Cyclops, Bacchus ...
You'll soon see their likenesses again 
on the stage, acting out all our old favourites.
I love a bit of drama, don't you?

At the back stand the servants and slaves;
even they won't miss out on the fun.
"I wish there was a magic glass 
that we might hold before our eyes,
as the actors hold their masks,
that would make us feel nearer,
and the actors seem bigger and closer," says one.
"Don't be silly," says another, older and wiser.
"Just be glad you have two eyes, not one!"

© Celia Warren 2016

My Extra shows a view of the Roman theatre, with some of the pillars still standing after two millennia.

Vaison la Romaine is about a 45-minute drive from where we're staying. We looked round the remains of amazing houses that belonged to very affluent Romans, and at other ancient artifacts and pieces of masonry and carvings from the sites in the museum. 

We also walked over the Roman bridge - still in use today. All this history is very humbling; makes ones life feel very small, short and insignificant. Still, inspired by Bacchus, we'll soon fix any maudlin feelings of mortality: in the heart of Provence, where there are vineyards everywhere you look, it'd be rude not to drink a glass or two of French wine. 

So, we're continuing having a jolly time, though the petrol situation is a little worrying. With French industrial action going on and on, including strikes at the  refineries, there were queues out of the petrol station and down the road as we came back to our hotel today. When we went back a few hours later; it was still busy, but the queues were shorter and we were able to top up. Tomorrow's outings will be strictly by Shanks's pony - in and around Orange.