[INSIGHT TRAVEL - EUROPEAN GRANDEUR] - Lourdes

DAY 7 - SEPTEMBER 6, 2000
LOURDES, HOTEL DE LA GROTTE
ROOM 327 (C. 1700H)

This is sheer luxury in terms of triple-sharing : my bed is a real bed in a corner of what must be a junior suite; comes complete with its own bathroom and closet. It certainly makes up for that standard fold-up bed and paper-thin matterss at the Bordeaux Holiday Inn. This is sheer luxury as far as the third person in the room goes. And the bathroom even has a bidet!

Leisurely half-day drive down from Bordeaux, arriving in Lourdes at around 1345H via a little town whose name escapes me now, but is too charming to be ignored. Had an opportunity to trot out my French again for the young man behind the brasserie counter and for the price of two bottled waters, got free use of the bathroom.

Lisa went over the optional tours with us, and we've signed up for about half. I tried to get those with meals included and things we haven't done before; except for taking a look at Michelangelo's David, Mom and Dad are joining me on all of them. We pay tomorrow -- but at least we'll have that out of our hair and can properly budget for everything else. I think we should wind up with a lot to spare by the time we get home -- we're managing quite nicely on mineral water and sandwiches. Not bad.

Since we had out objectives for Lourdes pretty much decided on when we arrived, we just waited for the bags and were off to see the Grotto. First stop was the Rosary Basilica -- in need of repairs, considering that some of the mosaics are damaged. A new foof is going up, and I hope the weather holds good for the workers.

Then off to the grotto. Fell in line to see the spring and fill our plastic bottles at the fountains. Washed our hands and faces -- certainly worked in cooling down cheeks made warm by the sun. Mama is lamenting that my skin will never be the same, but I like my color, oddly enough. Time enough for it to fade when we get home to Manila.

After the water collecting ritual was over, we crossed the bridge over the Gave and went looking for the Adoration Chapel. Only, the Blessed Sacrament was being exposed under a huge tent with about seventy or eighty people in silent adoration. Amazing, it was just as quiet as it would have been in an airconditioned chapel. The peace of this place never ceases to amaze me -- only the most pagan of people would dare to disobey the signs that call for silence. It's so incredibly soothing after all the big city noise.

Got ourselves a surprise on the way to the underground basilica. We bumped into Fely from Greenbelt. Or at least she used to be Greenbelt until she became active in St. Andrew's. She'd come over with another bunch of people, a delegation of mostly Ligaya ng Panginoon people for the World Youth Day in Rome. After the event ended, she hopped on board the night train to Paris and traipsed down to Lourdes by herself. She's billeted at a pension house two blocks from the Grotto, and we had a nice chat before parting ways.

The underground basilica is a huge thing. Somewhat dark and gloomy for my taste but otherwise a marvelous looking structure. Didn't stay too long there, as Mom and Dad were getting tired and we had an uphill climb to the hotel. A steep uphill climb.

Tonight is the candlelight procession, and I suppose Mom and Dad will opt out of going. As it is, Daddy's fast asleep and Mom will probably be drooping after dinner. I'll be going, most likely. Bring Mom and Dad up to the room and bring the key with me. Come to think of it, better bring my flashlight as well, for the trip back.

It's 1750H. Might as well start sorting myself out for dinner and tonight's activities.

Post-procession notes, 2300H

Despite earlier misgivings about staying the course, I did manage to complete viewing the entire candlelight procession and prayers. EVen turned into an impromptu guide for Maureen, Marge and Mary (or is it Maire? must check the sheet tomorrow). I led them past the spring and over to the holy water faucets; then we took up positions near the entrance of the Rosary Basilica and watched all the pilgrims fill up the square. Candlelight everywhere, and everyone joining in with gusto for the recitation of the Rosary in all the possible languages there were. The Gloria and Pater Noster were sung in Latin for each of the Five Glorious Mysteries, the language changed with every five Hail Marys. It was awesome, especially when we were all asked to sing the Credo and the Salve Regina, also in Latin. Not to mention how interesting it was to observe how many people still remember the Latin responses to the Benediction. Then I led my little trio back up the hill to the hotel. Maureen, Mary and I ended up buying these French berets that Rob and Brian started wearing at dinner; I bought a Lourdes pin to put on mine, commando style. Shoudl be interesting to see what kind of reaction it gets tomorrow at breakfast.