Lourdes Again

I was browsing through the pictures in my camera and found this one.  This is the basilica that is build on top of the grotto.  I took this picture from the top of a hill with a small castle on it.  Michael and I hiked up there to look at the castle and the city of Lourdes.  Today we spent the day in Carcasonne.  But, we are very tired from enless pilgrimage steps, to much French food and wine, and still some jet lag.  So,  tomorrow I'll download some amazing pictures for you and share another fabulous day. Love you all.

Lourdes

Lourdes is 500 miles SW of Paris in the foothills of the Pyreness.  The town has 15,000 residents and over 5million visitors a year.  Every night, 365 nights a year they have a candle light procession through the grotto and around the down town behind a statue of Mary.  The Knights of Malta carry hundreds of people on these blue "liters".  Our group lit one of the very large candles for the Health System community and we all signed it ahead of time.   We stood for more than 1/2 hour before we could join the procession behind these liters.  The picture of the Grotto is difficult to see.  This is where a young
a young, poor girl, St. Bernadette, saw Mary on

several  occassions.  Mary told her to dig

in the dirt and a spring came up that still has been

unlimited.  This water is believed to be

holy and miracles happen when people

go in it or drink it.     

There are dozens of these candle sheds throughout the grotto with thousands of candles.  I am lighting a candle for one of my sons in the bottom picture.  This is a young boy from Northern CA that I met.  His name was Hayden 

Beginning of Lourdes

As you can see Michael had no trouble sleeping on our almost 10 hour flight.  I didn't do so well.  But, we have never traveled 1st class before and it was WONDERFUL.  Now we are in Lourdes and it has been unbelieveable.  Tonight will be doing the interesting stuff.  We will be taking part in the candle light procession to the Grotto of Saint Bernadette.   

This is our hotel in Lourdes.   I slept well here.  Everyone in town today was watching the Royal Wedding as most of you were probably doing.  I am hoping to be more of a religious pilgrim from here on out.

Traveling

Here is the token airport picture.  Hopefully we still look fresh because we have a lot of traveling today/tomorrow.  Here is the list of vehicles and places:  OC to Dallas flight 3 hours

             2 hours in Dallas airport

             Dallas to Paris flight 9 1/2 hours

             Paris to Orly by bus 1/2 hour

             (with 6 hours to do that)

             Orly to Lourdes flight 1 hour.

We are in Dallas now and the first leg was wonderful.  We had great food, wine and fresh baked chocolate chip cookies.  Then a private golf cart picked us up at the gate and took us to a private club where we are waiting and blogging for the flight to Paris.  Next flight we get dinner and breakfast on the plane.  Isn't that fun! 

Preparation

We have received many prayers,goodbye wishes and inspirational thoughts. Thank you very much everyone. The books about our travels and completing a pilgrimage are read and we are very excited to begin. Michael and I have been given SJMC lapel pins and shells that we are supposed to carry with us and leave in special places. I guess that we will understand this tradition more when we actually get to do it. One goal of our pilgrimage . .
Visit the past, Savor the present, Enrich the future.

Packing

We are packing today and will be leaving Wednesday, April 27 for our great pilgrimage.  Hopefully we will be able to keep you filled in on our adventures.  Remember, our time will be 9 hours ahead of Pacific Time.