Walk With Me, Tyler E. BurgessWalking My World!
This couple hosted me on their lovely home. Since there is little pilgrim accommodation, through a church program, people sign up to host pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compestello, Spain. They warmly welcomed me, washed my clothes, gave me a tour of the town, fed me a wonderful home-cooked dinner and sent me off after a breakfast of bread, butter, homemade jams, coffee. The usual breakfast here.
Here is my art kit. The plastic box I put water in, the sketchbook is 4×6 inches, the color sheets are lightweight and I also have a tiny paint brush. Easy to put in a clear plastic baggie.
July 3, 2024
Glorious day for walking, a bit cool to start, with some clouds. Tonight I am staying with a family who is part of a pilgrim association that supports pilgrims. In this part of the world unless you are in or near a city, there is not much accommodation and when there is, it’s expensive for a pilgrim.
One idea of a pilgrimage is shedding material wealth. And that means receiving hospitality from volunteers who offer their homes. Although you are expected to give about 30 euros for lodging and breakfast and possibly a home-cooked dinner. Some hosts even refuse that!
My hostess and her oldest, 24 years, son.
The weather is lovely for walking. Beautiful trails through forests, the old village of Barbizan, into Fountainbleau, the resort of Kings, until Napoleon’s defeat in 1870.
From Chartres I took the 5 a.m. train to the train station Gare Montparnasse in Paris. from there I took the subway to Cite, walked across the Seine River to the Tower Saint Jacques. The tower, or tour in French, is what’s remains of a church, Saint Jacques. It’s the start of my pilgrimage to Santiago de Compestello, Spain. In English he is Saint James, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ, in French he is Saint Jacques. And in Spanish Santiago. Hope that makes sense.
From the tower I walked left, along the Seine River, southeast ward. There was a detour around the train station Gare Lyon and a big port. This was through a love quiet neighborhood where I stopped to have an espresso and pastry filled with cheese. And picked up some candy for the walk. After 14 miles I arrived at my destination of Montgeron, where I found a room in an apartment building on booking .com.
It was great fun to walk right out of Paris into charming villages.
Walking this labyrinth, built in the 1200’s, is like praying with your feet. We went slowly and quietly. Then I strolled through the old town. When I bought a SIM card at a Tabac shop, the young man noticed my pilgrim shell necklace, and brought out his shell, which he keeps tucked away behind the counter. It is an instant connection.
After landing in Paris yesterday, I took a train directly to Chartres, France. My first goal was to see the famous cathedral here and Friday the chairs are removed from the floor so people can walk the labyrinth there. Also, I went to the Rectory to purchase fit 10 Euros, a Credential, which qualifies me as a pilgrim, or pelerine in French. Then I walked to the Pilgrim House run by the Sisters of St. Paul. Here I have two nights on a modern private room with a lovely clean bathroom, for only 21 Euros, about $22. Plus breakfast and dinner for $20 more. Looking forward to walking the labyrinth today!
About 5:30 this morning this critter was trotting back and forth in my garden. Usually nocturnal, I have not seen one here. And it moved pretty fast!
