voyage MR 2010

Please enjoy the beginnings of our trip. Technical difficulties and long days prevented us from accomplishing our dreams. We will try to bring you up to date.

Day 1 & 2:
The flights to Europe were on time, comfortable and smooth going. The new to flying were brave and took to flying like fish to water. Everyone braved the airports and are now seasoned travelers. Our friend Andre met us in Toulouse. The city was clothed in brilliant sunshine. Flowers were blooming, birds were singing and the travelers were tired. Our luggage followed us, but one suitcase was ripped. Nothing was lost and the once miserable student had the promise of a brand new suitcase! France welcomed us with beautiful green scenery and hundreds of very small cars, all standard, where oddly enough the smart car fit in quite well. As we drove through the city of Lourdes all the students were in awe of how fast such a big bus could go through such tiny streets. The houses were all weathered but maintained their beauty. While the Perynanees Mountains (the natural border between Spain and France) looked over the town, it made the city breath taking. The group went the grotto the first night in France, and everyone was impressed with the huge crowds of people and the very intense faith the people displayed. The huge churches were lit up making the grotto a truly magical place. Of course the students were all extremely excited for the four course meals, including cheese and bread. French cuisine is known for its awesomeness, but for Canadian girls it presents its challenges and takes time to adapt. Some were braver than others in risking to sample unknown items.

Day 3:
The day started with tours of the churches throughout the grotto, the group visited the underground church where Marie Rivier’s banner is now proudly hung. Next we visited St. Bernadette’s first church, which was very modest but of course beautiful. The church on top of St. Bernadette’s church we visited after, and once again very big and very beautiful. To finish the morning the group prayed the Stations of the Cross, while climbing a small hill. The group all went off on their own to shop in the various shops and eat the great French food. Lunch finished and all the girls went through the castle in Lourdes. The castle was filled with old artifacts and more stairs then most were willing to count. The girls once again got free time after the tour of the castle or better known as shopping time. Later in the evening the group attended a mass in the underground church. Thousands of people worshipped in many different languages. Everyone had their own candle which was lit during the mass, making the entire underground mass full of beautifully lit candles. After the long but joyous mass everyone fell asleep very easily.

Day 4:
We woke up to the gentle rain, and took off to visit the place were Bernadette was born. The family of six lived in this four story house, but their father the best miller in Lourdes had a very big heart but was a very poor business man. The family then moved to the old cachot, an old prison cell. The previously wealthy family was now living in the very tiny cachot which was the only place available at the time. The group visited the tiny room, and was very surprised at how a family of six lived in such a small room. After a shopping break the group all gathered at the hotel to take the common transportation…the bus. While Barry and Shirley decided it would be a new experience to take a French taxi (they were late and missed the bus). The group eventually all met together and walked into the enormous caves lead by a bigger then life tour guide. As Lizzy stated in the caves “It’s like I’m in the discovery channel.” During the cave excursion the group walked through many different caves, took a boat through the cave waters and lastly jumped on a train to the end of the tour. It was a fabulous experience. We left the caves and drove back to Lourdes in the bus, which again drove on extremely narrow roads, not meant for buses. At the end of the night a few people in the group went down to the grotto once again to light a candle in prayer from Rivier. While we were lighting our candle there was a rosary procession happening, making it near impossible to walk through the grotto, but it was a very beautiful sight. After a great amount of waiting for crowds to pass the group finally arrived back to the hotel and went to sleep.

Day 5: We are up bright and early and off to Bourg St. Andeol. No passports were forgotten. Gerald, the hotel manager made sure of that. We did however had to do a search for a camera...the rest of that story will follow! In the process we saw wheere our bus driver lived and worked. The challenge in the hours ahead was to keep the passengers awake. Childhood habits are hard to break! The first big stop was at Carcasonne, the famous and well preserved walled Roman city. "Food can wait. We have to shop!" And shop they did. Quaint souvenirs were many. Finding WC's was also a challenge and no one wants to pay. Cobble stone streets and tiny shops and a beautiful bascilica were experienced by all. In the church we were given the opportunity to listen to 4 tenors enchant us with their music. This was an unexpected gift. Once more we were on the road to Mother Rivier country. (TO BE CONTINUED)