Moissac on the Feast of St. James
It was 5:30 am when I woke up. I protected my feet, and went on the march. Leaving the village was tricky. If I follow GR-65 my route, will take 3km to leave town. If I follow the cars road, it will be only one mile. I decided to go by the dirt road, around orchids, and fruits plantations, down the creek, and up the vineyard. When three dogs decided to join me, they were having fun, as they party all night. Tongs out, and big smiles. They vanished as they came. From there it was all flat roads for 6 kms. Then the descending moment came, no problems with the feet, but I was cover in chiggers. Chiggers, in France? Oh yeah!, and there are nastier. They had a party over me, like a bunch of drunks after the bachelor party. I was covered in bumps from toes to head.
The walk was beautiful, until I got into a junky property 10 kms of Moissac. It was like war zone, three wild dogs chained with heavy chains, signs everywhere advertising food, drinks, and massages. Who in the world will stop there, I thought. I was so disappointed of that section. The rest was awesome. I ascended the hill, and the beauty of God was in esplendor.
Moissac is a big agricultural valley. All the plantations are covered with nets, and you can see them from the distance.
I arrived to Moissac at 9:30 am. I stopped at the garden shop, to get something for the chiggers, but there was nothing there. Half kilometer down the road was a groceries store. I bought a bottle of ammonia, main ingredient, in Afterbite medication, and my lunch for tomorrow.
Entering the historical center of town, a nun greeted me, like she knew me from years. She asked me if I was going to Compostela and she asked me if a wanted the Pelerins blessing today. It was around 10:45am. And she said, it was better to hurry up, because St. James procession would start at 11am. Now, she made me run. In the mini, I told her that I was a priests, in 5 minutes I was dressed, and next to St. James relic. A priest from Vietnam, presided the procession and mass. You can see videos in Instagram:wherespadre. After mass, I went to the welcoming center of pelerins. It was fabulous! The people was so welcoming and charming. They helped me to heal my chiggers with ammonia, stamped my credential, and set a table for two in front of the office. A wonderful woman, collected flowers from the garden, and set them on the table, where I had lunch with Julian.
Julian started El Camino the same day as me. He only has 10 more day of vacation to reach St. Jean the Port. As I ate with Julian, Cecile showed up. She was a day behind. We all stayed at the ancient Carmel, now a gite d’etape.
When I arrived at the gite, I showed my chigger bites to the staff to prevent a infestation. A female worker, recognized them, and she was so sweet to helped me all the afternoon, to wash and dry my cloths, disinfected my backpack, and get for me used clean cloths. The funny part come now. I did not have a problem with the shirt, but the pants! Mmmm, no way. When I opened it, they were pants, but the end will look like skirt. Ha!
She laughed, and got for me a big white towel. I was in it until my cloths dried, around 6:30pm.
Julian, Cecile, two other girls, and I were to a artisan pizza place in the center of the village. An yes, they had my preferred pizza, anchovies and olives. Yum! Yum! And of course, two Monacos, please…
After dinner we went our own ways, I decided to go to the dance behind the abbey. I recorded a great video, but my cell did not safe it, because of short space in memory. Sorry that you cannot see it on Instagram.
Tomorrow will be a long march. Sleep well tonight, and send your donation to Save the Steeples at St. Joseph 1406 East Washington St.