Peaceful Days in Taizé

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Before heading east I went to Taizé in France. Here I lived at the local monastry with many other young people. If you like to know more, have a look at www.taize.fr, their website. I chose to vivist Taizé for a week to calm down a bit after the busy time at the end of my studies.
To get to Taizé I hitchhiked from Heidelberg. The most difficult part was the walk from Heidelbergs nearest bus stop "Heidelberg Bruchhäuser Hof" to the roadhouse. Afterwards all went really well. I had loots of fun, especially in France the people were very helpful. I got a ride from four oboe musicans in their glaring red bus...
In Taizé I was welcomed warmly, and introduced to the daily live at the monastry. At the time I was visiting about 6000 other young people stayed here. In spite of so many the atmosphere was peaceful. Everthing runs according to a set schedule: Church service with lots of singing three time a day, meals four times a day, and in between time for bible introduction sessions. Furthermore everybody helps to organise the meals and to clean the dishes afterwards. I was with the spoon cleaning team. Some thousand spoons after every meal.
I think, the spoon is a good symbol for life in Taizé. It is the only tool used, the spoon handle can be utilized as a knife which is sufficient for the simple food at the monastry. It symbolizes the fulfilling simplicity one can experience here.

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