Hello from Moissac, France- where white grapes are plentiful
and architecture is muy bien (wrong language, but whatev.)
My train ride from Montcabrier was very uneventful- leaving
Sally and having to say goodbye was sad, of course, but I comforted myself thinking
that I’d come back and visit her someday. Ah, yes, promises to return are
usually not fulfilled, but this was more like a ‘suggestion’ rather than a
‘promise’.
Oh, yeah- I almost forgot, my train ride was ALMOST very
uneventful except for my giant art suitcase almost crippling me with a
full-frontal attack to my ankle. I was just minding my own business, trying to
board a train in Agen, when I picked up my bag and it caught on something and
came right back and tried to kill me. It left a giant*, HUGE, ENORMOUS scrape
that needed emergency medical assistance. (see footnote...no pun intended).
I arrived here early this afternoon and spent the majority
of my day just getting to know Moissac. I walked to the famous abbey in town.
The abbey is old- pretty much as old as the hills. The sculptures included in
the Romanesque cloister and entry way date back to 1100- we’re talking about
1000 year old sculptures here… you sure can’t find these back home! I got a glimpse at the entryway that has a
scene from St. John’s vision of The Final Judgment: beautiful, kind of
frightening, and really old. Inside the
abbey were beautiful arches, stained glass windows, sculptures. My favorite
sculpture was made of wood- a life-size carving of two men lowering Jesus into
a box after he’d been taken off of the cross. The solemnity and the
craftsmanship combine to make something unique, touching, and memorable.
Tonight, I sat to eat my soy yogurt with a group of six
other people when the hostel owners asked me if I would like the extra bowl of
soup and extra pork chop they had left-over. I looked at my soy yogurt, looked
at the soup and decided that maybe I’ll have my bland yogurt for dinner
tomorrow. There was a Japanese woman at
the table, so I tried to wow her with my Japanese skills (I know two words) - I
used them out of context and she smiled- what a polite lady. After impressing
her with my skills, I showed her some examples of my artwork and she liked
them- what a polite lady. I showed her artwork, she showed me pictures of her
delicious Japanese food she eats back home, and we ate our soup together; we’re
friends now.
I hope to get some sketches of the abbey done tomorrow. I
might also go to a local café and get an espresso or even buy a souvenir to
remember my time in Moissac. I know one thing for sure, I’m going to polish-up
on my Japanese.
*stop listening because Vivian is exaggerating and blowing things way out of proportion.
Sad face from saying goodbye to Sally
suitcase, purse, Juanita, and a roll of canvas.
Juanita in her sleeping bag.
Part of the abbey entrance.
Inside the abbey.
My favorite sculpture so far.
Votives.
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