Hello, Bienvenue!

We have arrived in Lourdes, France, and have survived the first full day! We got here yesterday afternoon and were so exhausted. We had just enough energy to get some groceries but that was about it. After 4 planes, 1 bus, 1 train, and 27.5 hours of travel, we were ready to be horizontal and get some sleep! I managed to sneak in about 12 hours (loved that), and my Dad got a fair amount, too!

When we first arrived in France, the struggle of communication came flooding back and I already felt exhausted trying to speak + understand a language I barely speak + understand. Of all languages, French is my second best, but it’s minimal. Spain is only going to be worse. Thankfully, mostly everywhere we will be is quite busy with pilgrims from all over the world, so most people we encounter can at least speak English well enough to get by. Thankfully Google translate exists if need be.

As we were going through customs in the Toulouse airport (which was basically nothing), an employee checked my Dad’s plane ticket and then asked if I was with him (in French). My response: “Yes. Si. Oui.” I awkwardly walked away, embarrassed that it only took me a few minutes of interaction in France to mess up haha. Oh well, at least I’ll probably never see these people again.

Yesterday I was also reminded of my dislike for European bathrooms, including the showers. There is always at least one thing missing in a bathroom (like toilet paper, toilet seats, hand soap, towels), and the showers are never well enclosed so water gets EVERYWHERE outside. They are also usually tiny, with nowhere to put your things, making it difficult as a pilgrim who has to keep many things on their person at all times. Maybe the rest of Europe is better, but France and Spain continue to disappoint me when it comes to bathrooms!

We got to see many familiar places today, exploring shops nearby, and spending plenty of time in the Lourdes Sanctuary. We got to go to Mass at the Grotto, pray the rosary at the Grotto, we attended adoration in one of the many churches within the sanctuary, and we saw a film on the life of St. Bernadette and the Marian apparitions that happened in Lourdes. It was a wonderfully slow but full day. It’s interesting how much we remember from our last trip, and how familiar everything seems to be, as if we have spent far more time here than just 4 days. We are looking forward to a good nights sleep, and some wonderful Easter Triduum celebrations within the Sanctuary as of Thursday.

Thanks for tagging along, we will talk soon! Please let us know in the comments, email or another means of messaging of any prayer requests you may have!

Buen Camino, Hannah + Tony