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| The trees at Gambetta are putting forth leaves. |
I have not blogged in a long time--I have been plagued with computer issues and with Internet connection issues. I will try to get this posted today, but I am making no promises. I don't want my last entry to be about the origins of "bad." Carcassonne has been so much more than that. It has changed my life.
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| Some members of the congregation this morning |
Today feels as though spring has really and truly arrived. I went to church this morning and played the keyboard, actually pretty well, for me. I love this congregation. It's small, but oh, I feel such love when I am there. I am sure it has its problems, like all groups do, but I have not been privy to them and they don't seem to spill over and color the act of worshiping together. I have grown very attached to them and I think they are also fond of me. I do know this morning that having the music added to the service and I played some very simple hymn softly before service started and it just set things off on the right foot. I didn't tell them good-bye, but rather, "See you later."
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| Our congregation after services this morning |
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| Place Carnot market yesterday |
Yesterday I also tried to enjoy the sun. We had such a difficult week--I have not seen the likes of that kind of rain since I arrived here. So the sunshine yesterday was welcomed by everyone. The Arab market was packed, and so was Place Carnot. The French/Spanish strawberry wars are on, and the local asparagus is coming in full and delicious. I try to buy local and organic whenever possible. After a long winter of leeks and carrots (don't get me wrong, I do love them), I am happy to see spring vegetables and fruits. I will miss the tomatoes ripened in the heat of the summer, but that's the way it goes.
I think I am departing Carcassonne at about the right time. I have noticed more and more tourists in town, and have actually stopped to help several of them who have gotten turned around. Lots of people ask me for directions and I can almost always help them. It's a good feeling. But I love this city too much to see it clogged with tourists, even though I am one, and even though I know the huge economic impact that they have on the lives of people here. But some of the behavior--ooh la la....God spare me from school groups!
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| Michel this morning, waiting on his customers |
I am taking hundreds of photos, even of things that I have photographed before. My rationale is that I have never seen this place or that object in the light of this particular moment. I am terrified that I will forget.
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| Marie's sister at the tabac |
I am holding in my heart the things I have learned during this time. I am not quite ready to share them. I may not be the same person who came here, frazzled, in October. I don't know if we really change or if we are so buffeted by the winds of circumstances that we harden our hearts and hide our authentic selves. I have one or two regrets about this adventure, but every night, and I mean every night, before I close my eyes, I send grateful thoughts to the Divine.
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| The goofy platane trees are putting forth leaves. |
