Lourdes - Day 2

We happened to be in Lourdes on the weekend when the military from all nations send their bands to Lourdes! It was fantastic! Marching bands were everywhere, dressed in their country uniforms. We enjoyed a lot of great music and some touching moments when the bands played for the sick at the Lourdes hospital. Here are more photos of Lourdes.

The night ended with a wonderful candlelight vigil.

Lourdes - Day 1

We left Moissac, stopping by the public fountain for photos. 

The wild poppies are blooming along the train tracks, 

and are very pretty.

Arriving in Lourdes, 

the first thing we were happy about 

was having the proper electric convertor

for my iPhone!

The hotel was average.

Good enough for two pilgrims!

We did the thing always first on the pilgrim's to do list -

Laundry!

 Breakfast (included)  next morning was quite substantial for a hotel breakfast.

We even had eggs!

We then spent 7 hours exploring Lourdes. 

We stood in line to touch the grotto, 

The Holy Spring in the Grotto

Candles were 2.50 Euros

We took our candles to the outdoor stands 

where you light them and they burn hundreds at a time. 

We attended Mass at the Basilica then saw people lining up to bathe at 10 a.m. 

Where the baths do not open until 2 p.m.!

 We found a nice little East Indian restaurant for lunch 

and spent a total of 13 euros for the two of us 

for curry chicken and rice for me. 

Joe had another doner kabob. 

He loves them!

 We filled our water bottles from the holy fountains 

and had afternoon coffee in town.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Niche 

It's all made from 2-3 inch pieces of glass

People told me I couldn't miss the CROWN - they were right!

 Dinner was picnic. 

We found nice sliced sandwich meat for 90 cents, 

cheese for 2,50 euro and bread for 60 cents. 

We bought a can of local duck pate and hard local sheep cheese, 

oranges and bread for tomorrow's walk. 

We spent a total under 10 euros.

So far we have stayed well below our budget of 20 euros per day for food.
That is each. 

We have averaged about 30 euros per day for two.

 Joe is now out checking tomorrow's trail while I catch up on laundry. 

 We hope to make Asson in about 6.5 hours tomorrow

I will post more Lourdes photos in the next section.

Moissac

We arrived at Moissac during a freak heat wave! We must have looked totally lost while trying to decipher our directions to the Priory because 5 minutes after deboarding the train and heading down into the village a nice man with a very evident Irish brogue (in France?) ran across the street to ask if we were 'seeking the nuns?'. We answered 'Yes!' and he directed us up the hill and around the bend. 

There we found The Priory which we recognized by the nuns in their cream colored habits talking to some people in front 

 The very nice Sister invited us inside where we were met by a married couple of hospitalieros whose names we could not pronounce. Once inside we were directed to leave our shoes and bags on the terrace and we were taken to the kitchen for cold lemon water and a local crispy sweet. After stamping our credential we were shown our very clean and comfortable room where we chose a set of bunks near a window overlooking a beautiful garden. 

Soon we were joined by 3 french women and one husband. After showering and washing clothes we were invited to a communal dinner of soup, salad and bread. Soup was interrupted by the bells announcing Compline. We left our soup to join the nuns in a small chapel Their voices were absolutely ethereal but we squirmed as our growling stomachs sang along! After prayers we returned to dinner and the youngest nun joined us for attempted conversation. 

When she heard we were from the USA 

she exclaimed how much she loved the movie Sister Act, 

at which point I pulled out my iPhone 

and played my Hail Holy Queen ringtone. 

We had a good laugh! 

We had another good laugh that evening.

I had bought some cheese earlier in Toulouse 

but when I dug it out of my Mochila to offer to share it 

I took one whiff and tossed it in the garbage. 

Later that night the French husband was looking for a lost digital card in the trash 

and they all were shocked to find half a round of cheese in the basura. 

They cracked up when I held my nose and told them it STUNK! 

They said the stinker the better! Whew! That was mighty good cheese. 

They tried to give it back but I declined. 

No, merci! 

This morning we spent hours exploring the Abbiatile de Saint Pierre 

and the cloisters. 

Here are some photos of that field trip:

Laying Jesus to rest

I always love these solar symbols

Beautiful ceiling

Interesting to find Our Lady of Fatima here.

Journey to Bethlehem

Another Pieta

Santiago

I love this Lion! This is the bottom of a choir seat.

These are some BIG TALL doors!

Shells ... shells everywhere...

These beautiful flowers were just a taste of what was to come on the Camino.

Enjoying some REAL french fries!

 Despite a snoring roommate,

we had a restful night.

Tomorrow we take the train to Lourdes to begin walking.

 This afternoon we took the train to Lourdes and had an adventure that nearly turned into a misadventure with a couple of shady characters. We arrived in Lourdes as the candlelight procession was beginning. We will see it tomorrow might. Tonight we rest. Tomorrow we tour Lourdes It is spectacular so far and as someone else told me, the only place where there are more hotels than tourists. My first impression was a strange combination of cheesy tourist shops overpowered by a strong positive and even holiness in the air. I think I like it here! More tomorrow. Will edit when I can find a computer!

Love, Annie