Holy Waters

Lourdes embraces the sacred and the profane with the rolling foothills of the Pyranees on either side of its sacred waters. Bernadette's grotto is located in the middle of this complex village. It is open 24 hours. I was on the edge of weariness when I arrived in Lourdes last night - it was after 11pm when I arrived at the hotel.

I decided to find a pay phone to call Harry and then walk to the grotto to see it by candlelight since this is the only evening I am in Lourdes. Tomorrow it will likely be overrun by pilgrims.
I'm glad I pushed myself since it was a completely different experience aesthetically and spiritually. After taking it all in - the landscape, the kitch, the crowds, the shrines - the thing loved most is the conclusion that Lourdes is holier than the Vatican in my mind for two very primary reasons. Its holy waters are free for all, pure and drinkable... and so are the toilets! This is not true in Rome. They get you at both ends...there were no water fountains when I was there and there was an attendant in every WC I came across. All in all, I felt it was a racket. Not so in Lourdes. I am a woman of simple needs!