I'm Back!

Okay, that was fun. REALLY fun!!! Michael and I just returned from an eleven day trip to Europe, more or less equally divided between London, Paris, and Rome. As we went along I kept writing blogs in my head - I saw so many amazing things that my brain was always whirring about - but I never took that time to sit down and write. Yes, I passed many Internet cafes. Yes, I could have taken the time; I just didn't, because life was way too exciting and I could not possibly sit still long enough to write!

The fallout from that is that I will be blogging about the London-Paris-Rome experience for quite some time. I will try not to sound too much like a travel log. :)

Remember that song from Lion King, Circle of Life by Elton John? My favorite line is, "There is more to do than can ever be done." Being reasonably intelligent creatures, Michael and I knew from the start that we could never "do" a European city in three days, so we researched carefully and planned our days to make the best use of our time and resources. We saw quite a bit, and we enjoyed ourselves immensely. But, alas, there is quite a bit not-yet-done however, so we will need to go back. About halfway through this adventure Michael stopped referring to it as a "trip of a lifetime," and confided that he hoped to do many more such trips in his lifetime. :)

In London, we had the chance to visit St. Paul's Cathedral. As I am a huge fan of the movie Mary Poppins, Michael took a photograph of me sitting on the steps of St. Paul's just like the Bird Lady in the movie. There were a few pigeons around, but I did not "feed the birds," as I did not wish to get myself in trouble with the local bobby! Just like in my hometown of Seattle, feeding the birds is frowned upon in London.

In the other photograph, we have just climbed to the top of the dome of St. Paul's - 533 steps. What a view!

One of the coolest things about St. Paul's is that, although it is not a Parish church (there is a more modest structure next door that meets the needs of the neighborhood), it IS a place of worship, dedicated to God. Every hour, on the hour, all touring stops as those who are inclined, stop to pray. It was very moving to join others from all over the world in reciting the Lord's Prayer. The woman standing next to me was intentionally (but respectfully) silent and she posed herself in a manner so that it was obvious that she was NOT praying, but I noticed afterward that she had tears in her eyes. I wonder about her...did she once have a close friendship with God that has eroded? Did she never know Him but still has that hunger? I will never know. I just wonder.

In Paris, we attended the International Mass at Notre Dame. No, we are not Catholic. Everyone is welcome to attend; all Christians are even invited to participate in communion.

I THINK the Notre Dame service was in French, and all the singing was in Latin, but I am no scholar of languages. Not being able to follow that text, I allowed my eyes to wander around the great cathedral and just enjoy where I was, so I was surprised when God wrote a quiet, personal sermon for me in my heart: God is God; Tori is not God. Relax. :)

More (and more and more and more) later.

Carpe Diem.