Paris again

My dear Friends

I forgot to tell you a few things about my trip-I hope you are interested. When I was alone on the Monday (Alexia was working) I went to the Eiffel Tower for the first time, and it was a nice sunny day, if a bit windy. The structure down below is absolutely incredible, with its four 'feet' and I climbed in the elevator to the second floor. Needless to say there was an amazing view over Paris, especially the Seine river- truly magnificent. The white buildings look all of a piece and very beautiful. To my right was a golden dome, which I couldn't identify but which gleamed in the sunshine.

I then took the Metro and landed up in the Jewish quarter,the Rue des Rosiers, with its Synagogues and felafel stands. I had been there before but it was well worth a second visit, with its winding alleys, bookstores and all. There were a few blackhats (Orthodox Jews) walking in the neighbourhood-I imagine there are more so on the Sabbath.

I was just coming away when I ran into a nun from the Monastic Community of Jerusalem in Paris. I have heard of them, they live a simple life of silence and hospitality at the same time and they have a beautiful Church called Saint Gervaise, which the Sister showed me. Lots of beautiful colourful stain glass windows depicting scenes from the Bible and reminding me of the Jewish Russian painter called Chagall, who painted in bold colours. I prayed for a while and actually returned there at 6am the next morning for their morning prayer. Members of the community were kneeling and praying at the front in Silence before the service began.

I was very glad to have made this contact in the light of my own plans and came away in the early morning with a feeling of holiness.

Shabbat Shalom
Sister Gila