Chronicle of Thursday 23 July

Good night, families!

Today, the first day on the way, and how welcome it is... because, even if it doesn’t seem like it, you miss these things.

We woke up at an ungodly hour, 3:30... The time when there are fewest people in the streets. (Warning: unreliable sources. This comes from a quick debate among sleepy pilgrims.)

We started walking through the streets of Paris... passing under the Eiffel Tower, crossing the Seine and little by little leaving the city behind.

Today Blanca Arroyo got crowned. Literally. Because it’s her birthday, and at breakfast she was given a crown made of cardboard and flowers. She wore a matching skirt (made from a bin bag), following the latest Parisian fashion, with a floral detail on one side.

Today’s stage was quite quick. The place is a bit reminiscent of Camp Kikiwaka, campfire included, and tents for the luckiest ones.

After showers, naps and lunch we went to the village parish church. In today’s meditation, Fr Ferran touched more than one heart. He spoke to us about LOVING our reality. The one we are given. Without dreaming of different things. Using it as a means of sanctification. St Thérèse’s father, who is now St Louis Martin, is a great example of this. He married at 35, they had nine children, of whom the first five died, he was widowed when his Thérèse was only four years old and he decided to leave his business in Alençon to go and live in Lisieux near some relatives. Faced with this difficult situation he didn’t lose heart: he decided to love the four daughters he still had on earth as both father and mother.

Today, in Blanca’s honour, we made loads of chips (which she loves). And since they took a while to cook, an impromptu guitar session sprang up. Beto Gel on the guitar, with others bringing out their best gypsy-rumba streak. Mind you, it was balanced out with the habanera “El meu avi”.

After Blanca blew out her candles and after Compline, we rushed into our sleeping bags. Here we make the most of every minute.

Good night!