For the first time this trip, we are up early enough to enjoy the sunrise over Barcelona. We have breakfast at our hotel, pack up and take an Uber to the train station. Many of the roads are blocked this morning and our driver is stressed as we drive around the city in circles. He says something in Spanish to his phone and shows us the translation, “Do you have time?” We do, we assure him, and we remain relaxed throughout the ride.
We are more confident at the train station today. We have had practice, though today our bags go through screening as they do at an airport. I am unable to read the sign but see that scissors are not allowed and there are some in my makeup bag. It doesn’t turn out to be a problem, but I take note.
It’s a six-hour train ride with many stops and one train change to Marseilles. The trains are hot and I’m thankful for my hand-held fan.
We arrive at the station in Marseilles and call for an Uber. It’s sunny, hot and humid here, with a slight breeze. When the driver arrives, he puts one of our bags in the trunk, sees the other bag and says he is sorry, he cannot take us. (We did order Uber XL.) In the spirit of cooperation, we say okay and call another. He arrives in a few minutes, loads up our bags and drives us to the hotel.
Marseilles is yet another city with beautiful buildings and cathedrals that date back to the 1100s. We pull up to The International Hotel, once called Hotel Dieu, and I catch my breath. There is a long, wide, beautiful stairway leading up to the hotel with gardens on either side. We drive up the long and twisty drive to get to the reception area. I learn that this was a hospital that originally opened its doors in 1166, 800 years before I was born. It served the community, expanding several times as the population grew, until it finally closed its doors in 2006 and was reopened as a hotel in 2013.
The hospital was located near a basilica and was run by the priest. This history reminds me of the beloved Sisters of St. Joseph, the sisters whose history was threaded throughout the St. Joseph Health System and therefore St. Mary Medical Center in Apple Valley, where Shawn and I worked for many years. Our sisters had their roots in France as well. I feel a connection to this place and love that we are here.
We have a balcony overlooking the city. There is a view of Basilica Notre Dame de-La-Garde which is situated on a hill across the way. It sits proud and tall and majestic. Shawn and I agree to get up early so that we can explore it tomorrow.
Good night, Marseilles. It’s lovely to meet you. We look forward to what tomorrow has to bring.
Did you see the basilica Familia Sagrada while in Barcelona?
Oh, Faith, we did not!