It was a Friday, one of two Friday’s I would be in Paris.  I made a point to come back from the countryside so that I could go to Chartres to walk on the Labyrinth.  The Labyrinth at the Chartres Cathedral normally has chairs covering it.  On Friday’s they move the chairs and open the Labyrinth to the public.  I took the number 5 metro from the Bastille station to the end of the line and transferred to the number 6 line which took me directly to the train station.  I purchased a ticket from an English speaking gentleman at he directed me to the platform.  I ran for the train, the next one would be an hour – this was the first time I’ve had to do that elevator door motion – and was so pleased that it worked!  I found myself a seat and in just over an hour I arrived in Chartres.  I had a singular purpose – to walk the famous Labyrinth where monks walked back in 1205.  As I walked, I couldn’t help but imagine the people who had walked there before me in silence, turning inward, being still.  I walked very slowly, aware of the tourists and bicyclists who were walking across the labyrinth as if it were an ordinary floor.  I paused for people leaving and for those walking at a different pace.  At the center I paused, reflected and was overcome by a feeling of oneness of all those who have lived before or will have ever lived.  I was moved by the peace I saw on each person’s face as they walked the path and was so overwhelmed with gratitude that I was here on this Friday the 14th of September. I was moved to light a candle and affirm perfect health for my nephew Luke, who is reading my blog from the hospital, facing yet another health challenge.  An hour ride back and a few metro rides and I was back at the apartment.  It was a moving, very personal and gratifying experience and I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Paris.
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When I returned to Paris I finally had a chance to see Notre Dame.  There is just no doubt about it, that’s one impressive Cathedral.  Every little village has it’s own impressive church, but this place outdoes them all.    It just so happened that there was no line to get into the cathedral.  Actually, I was one of the last to be let in.  The six o’clock mass was in progress.  Although I don’t speak French, I could recognize the Catholic traditions and was able to receive communion – and certainly recognized “The body of Christ” in French.  It was a moving experience, feeling the history of how many had received communion in this very place in this spot that had been a church since 528AD.
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The area near Notre Dame is very old, as this location is where Paris got it’s start.  There was something that looked like a castle across the Seine, and a rather old, distinguished looking, palatial government building.  The sky was also putting on a show – it was 7pm and the chimes of many churches were ringing out.

During the past 3 days in France I’ve visited 7 breathtaking medieval Cathedrals/Abbeys. The magnificence and grandeur of these places brings my awareness to the common theme throughout all of humanity to feel a closeness to spirit, a connection with others and to feel that presence in their lives.