Today, it was time to leave France and visit the world of the other Teresa in Spain.
We began with Mass in the lower level of the Lourdes basilica, reached by walking down a long corridor under the main church, which takes you to a chapel directly over the grotto.
Deacon Kevin Meece served and my wife Siobhain lectored.
We walked back to the hotel, climbed into the bus and began the long trip to Spain.
During the pilgrimage, these long adventures afforded us some spectacular scenery — but they were also a grind. This one lasted several hours, with a couple breaks to stretch our legs, eat, and hit the restrooms. Some of us used these trips as opportunities to nap. It wasn’t easy. But it’s times like these when it’s helpful to remember this fabled phrase: “A pilgrimage is not a vacation.” But let’s face it: a long bus ride in padded seats with Wi-Fi beats the mode of transportation used by our forebears: walking in sandals with a stick and a satchel.
We stopped for lunch at a tourist-y truckstop. I couldn’t complain about the view!
Late in the day we finally arrived in Avila, as the afternoon sun was setting. We stopped for a photo-op outside the city walls.
Allow me to introduce you to this gentleman: Jose, from my parish in Florida. He decided to undertake this trek at the tender age of 83. I was impressed by his stamina and determination, even using a cane for help. But it’s a big risk. This trip isn’t easy, even for people a lot younger — like many of these pilgrimages, there’s a lot of walking, a lot of cobblestone streets, a lot of steep inclines and stairs. You spend a significant amount of time on your feet. Just getting on and off the bus can be a challenge. Add to that the steep, winding staircases in ancient churches (often stepping up and down slippery marble) and the challenges can be daunting. We’re typically logging up to 15,000 steps a day.
Thinking about undertaking a trip like this? A word to the wise: know just what you’re getting into and what you can handle. A chat with your doctor might be prudent.
We arrived at our hotel for the night, a gorgeous place across the street from Avila’s storied cathedral: the Hotel Palacio de Valderrabannos.
This was a first for this trip: our bathroom had a bidet!
Our room afforded us a perfect view of one of the city’s medieval walls.
We arrived in time for a late dinner in the dining room. If a pilgrimage is not a vacation, you might have a hard time telling that from the food.
With that, we settled in for the night. This was a short layover for us — just one night in Avila, to be followed by a tour of the ancient city and a chance to see some highlights from the life of its most famous resident, St. Teresa of Avila.
G’night!
