We have swapped our wheels for tracks and taken the high speed train to Paris, then connecting to Chartres. I am re-discovering the joys of this mode of travel. Once one is past the hassle and burden of dragging luggage and backpacks (I look like an eccentric troll bent under the weight of my pack), there is the dreamy freedom from fretting over traffic, waysigns and parking. Our seats, although second-class, feel like first-class- spacious, with cool electronic adjustment, and a plug-in for the netbook. There is only us and one other in our car (I’m sure others will join us in time) as we hurtle along towards Paris at 300km per hour. Maybe someone will come by with a coffee cart. We grabbed a cappachino from the machine at the station and a bread stick at a bakery for our breakfast. Walking down the street, munching on a baguette is very French.
Much later: We arrived at Chartres, a busy market town around 3 and checked into our matter-of-fact hotel. This is a busy place, with tons of shoppers, buskers and of course the cathedral. Doug and I agree that this is the most extraordinary and astounding cathedral we have ever been in and that includes St. Peter’s, St. Paul’s, St. Joseph’s etc. It is huge. And, as it happened, when we entered, Mass was taking place. Unlike other cathedrals, where there are tons of tourists gawking and a handful of the faithful in the pews, this place was packed – over a thousand people, in seats participating in Worship. It was truly moving – even if I couldn’t understand a word (except “celebration mystere”)and being a person steeped in Protestantism.
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