Blogs from Taizé, Burgundy, France, Europe

Thursday 11 June 2015 Today we drive from Dijon to Lyon, taking back roads that will let us make stops at several villages or towns that intrigue us. We plan to visit at least three, GPS willing: Brancion, Taize and Cluny. With some regret we headed away from Dijon. Burgundy has captured our hearts and we will return one day to explore in a more leisurely way. The back roads that lead to Brancion wind up, down and around, through tiny villages, and past what we understand is an ancient standing stone with a stone cross added to the top. History upon history. Our arrival at the carpark just outside the medieval village of Brancion brought us right back to the present in the form of a class of school children enjoying a leisurely lunch in ... read more

So from Dec 24th till the day I flew back to Belfast, Jan 4th. I was to attempt to understand the french of everyday people. After chirstmas eve dinner and christmas day lunch, which lasted five hours, my head was realing from the amount I understood and didn't understand. We ate soo much food. But I was assured this was soely because it was the holiday's. I am sure its the same the world over. Each course lasted about an hour each. The conversation always winning over the begining of the next course. Meals started with oysters, something I tried the first night and vow never to eat again. The experince also freed me of ever eating fish. Oysters is accompnaied by slivers of salmon, for the non oyster eaters. Seonc course was pate followed by ... read more

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 ... read more