Churches!
Okay so here's the thing about my trip to Europe. If I were to make a list of things I had to do whilst here, there would be three things. 1) Eat a crepe. A real one. 2) Drink Guinness in Ireland, and 3) Listen to classical music, with a choir, in a cathedral or big ol' stone church.
I hadn't done number three (that sounds like a toilet-related thing?) this whole trip, and thought that I was missing out on my chance to when I didn't go back to visit my friend Xann in London. She knew of multiple choirs that sang in Westminster Abbey and the like (Westminster Abbey! C'mon, how cool would that be?!). Coming to Lyon, I thought, meh, maybe there's a chance. But I hadn't even thought of how to get there, nor looked up anything.
Well, two nights ago, after waking up at 3 in the afternoon and spending time on the interwebs sending e-mails about my future after Europe (more on that later), I went out for a walk trying to find the tourist information center. I didn't find it. But I found a cool "place", aka Square, with this fountain with four horses. It's called La place des Terreaux.
Quick side-note... Don't order Guinness from a French cafe if the waiter scoffs at you when you order it and says "typical"... I've never tasted a sour Guinness before. Nor had I wasted 7.50 euros on one. But two birds with one stone on that one! I think I said that in yesterdays update, but it's worth noting twice.
Anywho...
I decided to wander from there towards this Basilica that I saw up on a hill. It's called Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière. I essentially started wandering at this point, going wherever my feet were taking me. Or, as Teddie described it, being my own "spirit guide". He can explain later.
I walked up many, many steps to reach the top of the hill, and wandered my way into the amazing panoramic view of Lyon. Wish I had a camera, but I'm sure you can Google the image :-) Actually, let me do it for you. Here.
So anyway...
I sat at the top of the view, on a bench, closed my eyes, sat up straight, and started praying. I must have looked weird. I was wearing my Vibram five-fingers (they should have sponsored me on this trip, tons of Europeans are now looking for them), my backpack with two bandannas, Scout Camp baseball cap, and Irish cap hanging off of it, and a white bandanna on my head with sparkly blue tracing.
I sat praying for quite a while, reflecting on a lot of things, and asking God what to do next on my voyage but also with my summer. Eventually, I felt better, got up, and started my wandering again.
Well, I wandered around the Basilica, and what did I find?? A Requiem being performed by the 19th choir and orchestra (A little more info here). AND it only cost me 12 euros to get in because I am a student. Well, I said I was. I mean, I basically am... Right.
So I got to listen to a professional classical performance in a beautiful crypt... it was unbelievable. I may have shed a tear or two, just closing my eyes occasionally and listening. Can we say prayer answered?
I bought a small prayer candle and lit it there, saying a few prayers as well. For the rest of that night, I wandered back down the loooonggg hill towards Sam's flat, and went to bed around 2 AM.
The next church... today!
So the next day, aka today, I woke up circa 12 PM, even after trying to wake up at 10. I have since learned that I am not good at waking up on time. No good, not at all. I need at least 8 hours or I am broken. That's good, because I have to wake up in 3 hours to catch a train to Annecy to go hiking with Sarah and friends. ... I'll do it, I know I will.
Anywho, I woke up today and spent a few hours sending e-mails to folks about being references for my IV staff application, and doing some more thinking/emailing about Heads Up Hartford, a volunteer opportunity with a week-long diversity camp in Connecticut sponsored by a number of different churches in that area. I would LOVE to go there, the only issue right now is that I have not the money.... I pray that God will provide. And by that, I also know I have to ask... so if anyone wants to donate to the "Sean wants to volunteer for the rest of his life but volunteering is by definition free, so he needs money to live" fund, cool. If not, let's have a discussion in the comment section about the practicality of volunteering for things my whole life...
Back to my day. I went on another long walk, this time heading towards the right part of Lyon, towards where the tourist information center is. On my way of wandering (again), I found myself in front of a church. It turns out it is called L'Eglise de St. Bonaventure. Chris Matthews, I found myself randomly walking inside of the very church where the patron saint of your school died over 700 years ago. Friggin A man.
Inside, I lit another prayer candle, sat down in a pew, and started praying again. I don't know why, it just seemed like the thing to do... aka I felt compelled, and it was more appealing to me than walking around the city. As I sat and prayed, a man came up to me and asked for money. Strangely enough, as I entered, there were a few beggars, and I thought to myself "the next time someone asks, I'll give them a euro". Bam.
So as I prayed, I missed the memo that there was a Catholic mass starting at 4PM. You can imagine my small surprise when I saw a priest walking down the aisle and people standing the next time I opened my eyes.
Being in a French Catholic mass on a Thursday was an interesting experience. First, there weren't many young people in attendance. I noticed that the youngest people were black, and if I can stereotype, were African immigrants. Aside from myself... (Tobi if you're reading this, you better have laughed at that, because I'm chuckling now).
I didn't understand much, but I finally received the Eucharist after months of not having done so. And for some reason, after sitting there, listening to the Mass, trying to understand, and then praying afterwards, I felt very refreshed. More centered. More myself than I have in a while. Because if I am honest, I sort've lost myself for a bit when I first got here to Europe. That probably doesn't come as a surprise to people reading this blog from the beginning, but yeah. I'm glad God was patient with me. Oy.
So, from there it was a normal evening. Whatever constitutes as normal I suppose... I randomly met up with the same kid from two nights ago who had done a thesis on a Catholic prayer group (anthropological study). He showed me around Vieux Lyon (old Lyon), which was pretty incredible to see 800-600 year old buildings looking strong. Living in cities back then must have smelled horrible. You know why. The poop. Everywhere. Okay not everywhere, but open sewers. Not the best way to live...
The rest of the evening was filled with some jamming out at Sam's flat (sans Sam, he was busy elsewhere), and eventually eating dinner, drinking wine, and chatting with Anais (Anna-eez) which is the name of the girl who lives here... yeah i finally remembered. We talked about French welfare, how there are a lot of benefits here that is paid via taxes, and how it enables people to not work for long periods of time. We discussed how it was an interesting system, and how it's sort've fluxuating away from that currently. That of course led to a small discussion about socialism, capitalism, Karl Marx, non-profits, my work with volunteerism, potentially studying Theology, etc. etc. She's a great conversationalist, and it was awesome practice for my French.
So ends my stay here in Lyon (for now). I met some amazing people, had a lot of great reflection and God time, and caught up on a lot of sleep.
I leave in the morning for Annecy, to go hiking for a night and to hang out. I pray that this finds you well, that God is working wonders in your life (He will if you let Him) and if you do not believe in Him, that Allah, or Fate, or random chance, or Ka, or luck, or good fortunes, or positive energy, or whatever-floats-your-boat (water) finds you well.
Please, any prayer requests, let me know. For me, if you could pray for my focus and for safe travels. In particular, I would love for patience to see where God wants me to go once I arrive back in the States, especially in regards to the Heads Up Hartford thing (check out their website).
You stay classy. I mean it.
~Seany-poo Muffin-face
PS- I learned tonight that Tina Turner, back in the early days, was AWESOME... man did she have a voice! Dang. The things you learn in Europe...
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