First thing I do when I land in Europe is to get a shot of espresso, have a quick bite of fresh baguette and maybe a glass of red wine if it's after midday. Europe is a playground, a place full of memories from the past yet a place unknown. I lived in Europe until 20 and have lots of memories associated with this continent. Some come from growing up there, some from art books, lectures, good conversations, books, poetry, family, plan-airs, art seminars or some random fun experience. I feel at home here! My last trip was to France was dedicated to my favorite artists that lived and created here, I wanted to be in their skin, walk their land and see theirs mountains, coasts, experience what they were inspired by and created their art. Even though the times have changed, there was a sense of flow in nature that resembled images from Cezanne's canvases, Van Gogh's vivid brushstrokes, Matisse's vast color plains or Picasso's distorted reality.
Arles was associated in my mind with Vincent Van Gogh, he lived here in Yellow House and Paul Gauguin visited him here. I also remembered the Roman Amphitheater, one of the biggest and oldest in Europe dating back to the Roman Empire. It brings a lot of character to this old town and yet it's still used for bull fights occasionally.
