Lourdes and its magic

Day 49: Lourdes is special... although that might not be the right word. It's the feeling that surrounds you in this city, wrapping you like a warm, fluffy coat. This is special. I have to admit, I didn't expect this. We initially wanted to stay for four days, but after Icke had already seen the most important highlights for her yesterday, we decided to leave again on Sunday. Today we abandoned our plan. We'll stay until Monday. At least …

There is this feeling that Icke can also feel. Like so many other people who come to this place of pilgrimage. Friends and acquaintances had repeatedly told us in advance about the special impact and appeal of this small town with a population of 13,000. I wanted to believe it, but I couldn't. Today it is clear to me why so many devout Christians come to Lourdes - six million a year - than to almost any other spiritual place in the world. It's this feeling, this charisma, this special attraction. Unlike Icke, I have not yet visited any of the holy sites here. I took care of the dogs, which are strictly forbidden everywhere. They cannot stay alone in a closed motorhome because it gets too hot inside. Still, I can feel that feeling. Nevertheless, I feel an effect. I feel safe. Protected. At home. I can't remember the last time I slept as well as I did last night.

On February 11, 1858, a woman dressed in white is said to have appeared to Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes near the Grotto Massabielle, who recognized the 14-year-old as the Virgin Mary. She asked the girl to come back every two weeks, which Bernadette did. As a result, she was given the task of urging priests to build a chapel at this point and to drink from a spring that Bernadette was supposed to uncover at a certain point, which she did. The young woman was never alone during her visions in the grotto. The first time her sister and a friend were there, the 18th and final time there were 8,000 people in attendance. The water from the spring is said to have magical powers, as evidenced by many documented and tested aids and healings.

Since that time, much has been discussed, argued and written about the events in Lourdes. We want to stick to the facts here. One thing is certain: this small French town has become a tourist magnet over the past 166 years, which of course has left its mark. There are countless hotels, restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops. Nevertheless, this feeling remains. Icke visited the grotto and was deeply impressed: “The many people there, with tears in their eyes, begging for help for their suffering, for their needs, touching the water, drinking it, rubbing it on themselves, that was a very special, a holy thing Mood. I will never forget that."

It's supposed to be overcast tomorrow. Our dogs can stay alone for two hours. We will visit the grotto and the cathedral together. Let's see what that does to this feeling...