I am off on pilgrimage - Colorado to Paris

May 12, 2015. I am off to France to start my walking pilgrimage. I started with a bus ride to the airport, and had a routine flight to Toronto.  There were long lines getting through customs and  immigration and security. I had some issues with the wifi and my phone power cable, so I got a bit frustrated, although I was ultimately able to check mail and Facebook.  

There was an amazing and massive Richard Serra metal sculpture in the gate area. It is hard to imagine how to put that shape into thick steel. 

 I announced my departure on email and Facebook; I am starting with good wishes from everyone. Sandi gave me a St. James medal to wear. I made six scallop shell pendants,  one to wear, and five to give away.

On the flight to Paris, I was seated next to an elderly couple headed home to Sri Lanka. The aircraft was a massive 777-300, completely full. I did not sleep.

 I collected my bag, bought a train ticket to Lourdes, and took the bus to downtown. I forgot that the toilets are not free, but a nice Frenchman paid the .70 for me, since I had not gotten Euros yet. I bought my train tickets in French, with some repetition. My French should be OK. 

I took the bus into Paris. I took the metro to the IBIS hotel near Place d'Italue, dropped off my bag, and headed for the sewer museum. At the sewer museum I joined a tour for a group of college students from the US. The sewer system was started by Napoleon, and consists of passageways tall enough to walk in. 

Then I took the metro to the Pere-Lachaise cemetary. I visited the graves of Edith Piaf, the artist Modigliani, and Jim Morrison. 

Perhaps the most interesting thing I did that day, however, was visit the Basilica of our Lady of perpetual help. I found it completely by accident, as it was hidden from the street. The church was full of plaques giving thanks to our lady, a kind of Exvoto. There was a lady there writing in a prayer request notebook. She passionately told me how powerful Our Lady was. I wrote in the notebook too, asking for help on pilgrimage. 

I had dinner at a sidewalk cafe, and chatted with the nice waiter, who had worked in Miami. I was tired, so I went to bed early. 

Thursday I had the morning free, before I take the train to Lourdes. It is a legal holiday, so it is very quiet and relaxing. I walked all morning, including Luxembourg gardens.