Today I went to Lourdes, which is about half an hour from Pau by train. I went with Kate, another girl who is studying here through USAC (she’s from Iowa). We went down to the train station, and while we were waiting for our train, a woman started talking to us. She must have heard us speaking English, and she came up to us and asked us where we were from. When we said, “America,” and she was surprised - she said she thought we were British… which we told her was a huge compliment, haha. Then she talked to us for the entire train ride to Lourdes. She was Italian, but she worked in London and in Lourdes. She could speak Italian, French, and English. When we got to Lourdes, she said, “Come with me,” and she got on a taxi and brought us with her!! At the end of the taxi ride, she insisted on paying for us (it was 9 euros total). We tried to pay her but she refused to accept it. She was really nice, and interesting. I will always remember that encounter! Anyway. After parting with our new Italian friend, Kate and I went to the Basilica.  It was very interesting. It was beautiful, of course… and VERY busy. About five million people go to Lourdes each year. It is the place where, according to the Catholic church, the Virgin Mary appeared to a young girl (Bernadette, who is now a saint). Mary told the girl to dig in the ground, so she dug, and water sprung to the surface. People go to Lourdes to bathe in the water, which supposedly has healing properties. Many people claim to have been completely cured after bathing there.  Since Kate and I both aren’t very religious, we were just there as admirers of the history and architecture. But there were people everywhere who were clearly on a religious pilgrimage. At the cave where the Virgin Mary is said to have first appeared to Bernadette, people were lined up outside, rubbing their hands along the wall, murmuring prayers and kissing the pictures of Bernadette than they held in their hands. It was a very intense experience. Watching it, I was in awe of the variety of people who were there - every race and nationality - all brought together by their belief in God.  I didn’t spend all day at the basilica. After looking around inside and outside, Kate and I went to spend out afternoon in a less weighty manner - eating lunch. :] I had a salad with real Rocquefort cheese. It was my first taste of Rocquefort in France!! It was amazing. It was soo delicious. I can see why the French are so proud of this cheese that they protect it by law! After a pensive day, I was very happy to return to the familiarity of Pau. I was also happy when I realized that Pau has, indeed, become familiar! :] Yay.  Missing everyone back home.  Lots of love, Leanne

Today I went to Lourdes, which is about half an hour from Pau by train. I went with Kate, another girl who is studying here through USAC (she’s from Iowa). We went down to the train station, and while we were waiting for our train, a woman started talking to us. She must have heard us speaking English, and she came up to us and asked us where we were from. When we said, “America,” and she was surprised - she said she thought we were British… which we told her was a huge compliment, haha. Then she talked to us for the entire train ride to Lourdes. She was Italian, but she worked in London and in Lourdes. She could speak Italian, French, and English. When we got to Lourdes, she said, “Come with me,” and she got on a taxi and brought us with her!! At the end of the taxi ride, she insisted on paying for us (it was 9 euros total). We tried to pay her but she refused to accept it. She was really nice, and interesting. I will always remember that encounter!

Anyway. After parting with our new Italian friend, Kate and I went to the Basilica. 

It was very interesting. It was beautiful, of course… and VERY busy. About five million people go to Lourdes each year. It is the place where, according to the Catholic church, the Virgin Mary appeared to a young girl (Bernadette, who is now a saint). Mary told the girl to dig in the ground, so she dug, and water sprung to the surface. People go to Lourdes to bathe in the water, which supposedly has healing properties. Many people claim to have been completely cured after bathing there. 

Since Kate and I both aren’t very religious, we were just there as admirers of the history and architecture. But there were people everywhere who were clearly on a religious pilgrimage. At the cave where the Virgin Mary is said to have first appeared to Bernadette, people were lined up outside, rubbing their hands along the wall, murmuring prayers and kissing the pictures of Bernadette than they held in their hands. It was a very intense experience. Watching it, I was in awe of the variety of people who were there - every race and nationality - all brought together by their belief in God. 

I didn’t spend all day at the basilica. After looking around inside and outside, Kate and I went to spend out afternoon in a less weighty manner - eating lunch. :] I had a salad with real Rocquefort cheese. It was my first taste of Rocquefort in France!! It was amazing. It was soo delicious. I can see why the French are so proud of this cheese that they protect it by law!

After a pensive day, I was very happy to return to the familiarity of Pau. I was also happy when I realized that Pau has, indeed, become familiar! :] Yay. 

Missing everyone back home. 

Lots of love,

Leanne