Today, I explored the Pont d'Avignon--"Sur le pont d'Avignon, on y danse on y danse." (On the Avignon bridge, we are dancing, we are dancing...) St. Bénézet (that's provençal for St. Bennett or St. Benoit) received a message from Jesus Christ who said, "I want you to build a bridge for me in Avignon." Bénézet, a simple shephard was clearly baffled by this request. He was a teenager, minding his mother's sheep and his own business, and he gets a voice from heaven telling him he's got to build a bridge. His answer was simple and humble, "I have no money. I don't know how to build. I can't build you a bridge..." Jesus replied, "Don't worry about it. I'm sending you a messenger who will get you started on your way. He tell you what to do." Now, it seems, as far as these types of legends go, you really have no say in the matter. You've been chosen, and even if you try to get yourself out of it, you're in it... And so, an angel appeared, guided Bénézet to the Rhône (the longest and fastest river in France) and told him to hitch a ride with the next boat that passed. He did, the rest is history...
I'm in my little room at 5, rue Trial! There's WIFI! Yes.
I've met the participants of my seminar, and tonight we had a lovely dinner hosted by Prof. Maryann Frese Witt and her husband Prof. Ron Witt. Hey kids, we had ratatouille (like the movie, but no rats)! We all are speaking French. My brain is still mush.
I've got to keep my windows closed while I work in my room because if I don't, I'll be invaded by mosquitoes. Darn, I didn't plan for the mosquitoes!
Ciao.
6 comments:
Can you label the pctures please?
Hola Shiela,
Look like you are having a great time! Thanks for the detail description of your encounters. It's like reading a good adventure book. In the next chapter, Sheila is confronting the medevial knights, who...
Have you started your drama classes yet?
Only I can misspell “medieval,” and publish it. What a woman!
I know that you are very busy, but if you will have any time and feel like eating delicious, stinky cheese and drinking soul-defining wine with someone…go and see Ratatouille!
Wine, cheese and chef – the Rat- hilarious!
Anyhow, keep writing and I will be reading it!
merci des légumes!
Hasta pronto!
Magdalena
Typically when Jesus asks you to build a bridge he means it metaphorically... But it is a beautiful bridge.
Hey Mr. Maynor, back in those days, God/Jesus were taken rather literally. Has anyone seen Evan Almighty yet. The commercials were funny.
Perhaps the bridge was supposed symbolize the reconciliation between the Vatican in Rome and the papacy in Avignon...? The dates are off, but maybe Jesus was planning ahead. Not that people read the signs metaphorically at the time. Thanks for commenting. It really makes it fun.
Maggie,
I have had stinky cheese!!! It has been awesome. My allergies are kicking in though so I have to reduce my intake. Sigh! Pat said Ratatouille was great. I can't wait to see it.
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