In Taize

I arrived safely in Taize today at 2pm. What a beautiful sunny day here in France. Not many English speaking over 30 year olds here. A couple from Australia, a couple from Vancouver, one man from Kent in England and a lady from Colorado, USA plus myself. I am in a dormintory with five other men. I have met two Germans and a French man who I am staying with. Yesterday's travels went not so easily. I left Jocelyn and Steves yesterday in south London (Forest Hill) at8:30am. I finally arrived at my hotel in Paris at midnight. Firstly to get to the train to Dover I had to go to London, but there was work on the local tracks so I went south before going north to central London. I had to switch trains in Ashford and arrived in Dover just as my ferry was leaving. So instead of the 12:40pm ferry I got the 3pm ferry. What a lovely crossing, though, sun and a light breeze. And what boats on the Channel. We arrived in Calais just to miss the train. So another hours wait. Then first it was a regular train to Lille (one and a half hours) before connecting with the high speed train to Paris (one hour). Then the Metro in Paris to my hotel. I had no euro change for my ticket and it wouldn't take my credit card (as all the booths were closed). Luckily one of the families on the train that I had chatted with gave me a ticket. The Paris subway is fairly easy to use. Then this morning early to Gare de Lyon station to get my train and bus ticket to Taize. Then a well deserved slow breakfast on the sidewalk across from the station as the sun rose. The high speed train to Macon, another 2 hour wait and finally the bus to Taize. The past two days have been full of waits, for each leg of the travel. But I am here now and ready to be open to the Spirit's leading. The train and bus ride to Taize was relaxing. Seeing the French countryside for the first time was very good to see. The picture is of the Gare de Lyon, the train station where I caught the train to Marcon, where I caught the bus to Taize. The other picture is of the village of Taize, the religious community of Taize is behind the town.