Today was another driving day! Six and a half hours of brain-teasing games, solid conversations, and sing alongs in the bus brought us from Lourdes, France to Segovia, Spain. We left the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes at 7:30 am and drove through the southernmost part of the French Pyrenees mountain range before crossing the border into Basque country in Spain. We learned a little of the history and culture of this singular Spanish subculture while we drove through its rocky mountains, studded with terracotta roofed villages and yellow wildflowers. We took a lunch break and spent some time (though not nearly enough) sightseeing before continuing on to Segovia. When we arrived, we took a walking tour of the city. It's cobbled, medieval streets were too narrow to accommodate our bus, so we got a road level view of the crowded shopping district of old Segovia. We also got a first class vantage point of the late gothic era cathedral that stands near the center of the city. We stopped at the aqueduct that towers over the city for some breathtaking views of the Spanish countryside and more than a few group photos before heading to Mass. We had the privilege of receiving the sacrament of the Eucharist in the Chapel of Saint John of the Cross in a discalced Carmelite convent, as well as the chance to venerate his body, which lays in rest behind the main altar. After Mass, we headed to our hotel to prepare for dinner, some more sightseeing, and a good night of sleep before visiting another Carmelite friend tomorrow. - Isabelle Pryor
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