santiago!!!

I am on the outskirts of santiago!!!! 32 days! I walked 50kms yesterday!! 7:30am to 8:06pm.i was so bloody exhausted, but im almost at the finish. Parise and thanks be to Jesus. And thanks to st james and raphael.

day 29- camino

Only 3 days before santiago! Today we passed the 100km mark to santiago. So hard to believe. Im now only 82 kms away! I cant believe it. Just a quick regress. I have really wanted to camp out, so 2 days ago, i did. It was possibly the last day without rain, so i passed the town where most people were staying to find a good place in the woods. I had with me just my sleeping bag, so i asked the Lord to help me out. Lo and behold, we walked throug a tiny village, my friend went to knock on the door, but then decided against it. We kept walking, but the dogs started to bark. A lady came out and asked us if we wanted a drink. We told her our idea, and she offered us a tent to camp out in her garden. She was a really nice german lady with her italian boyfriend who had met on the camino. The took up residence inin this house so that they could help pilgrims out along the way. It was really great. The Lord takes care, which was shown to me so obviously here. It was great. The other thing i wanted to mention is that maybe 5 days ago, i had a 12 day. We left at 7:30am, and only got to our destination close to 8pm. So i had to sleep on the floor again. Oh well. There is no rush, and im learning that no matter what happens, things will turn out. Praise the Lord. Christ is rise!

day 28- camino

Only 3 or 4 more days left! Im really looking forward to getting there, but i really dont want this to endit to be oveer. I feel like this is my life now.i feel like this is a great big family. I love it. Bpraise the Lord! Christ is risen!

day 22- camino

I am in astorga today. A nice little city. I not very good at math, but i think i may have only 10 days left to santiago. I left 4 of the koreans in leon. Very sad. Theyre taking an extra day. I am now hanging out mostly with a candaian, u.s.a, aussies, and new zealand. Theyre all basically new. But im sure ill meet up with the old crew again. In leon, there was a group of at least 30 of us at the pub. It was so much fun. And kebabs for supper. We stayed ouy till 10:30, and the hospitaliere got mad at us when we got back for being too loud. My friend got his iphone stolen in the early hours of the morning. More spanish people begin the camino in leon, so its getting busier. Thats all for now. I can qlmost taste santiago now. Around 300kms to go. Love you all. Christ is risen.

day 17- camino

Slept in today till 7:30!! For those of you who dont think thays sleeping in, clearly you need to do the camino to understand. I woke up and everyone else was already gone. Me and my korean friends were the last to leave the hostal of 100+ people. So then i tired to make up for it for walking a bit faster. But first i had to make myself eggs for breakfast and get a coffee. But hostals are really startimg to fill up fast. Arrived at my destination at 3:30pm, and alreadyboth hostals in town were filled up. Had to walk 3.5 km more to the next town. Im now in the town of moratinos, population: 20. Very tiny. 30 or 31kms today in 7 hours. Better than usual. But its bloody hot!!! 31*c today. In the afternoon sun, way too hot. Tomorrow ill try to leave earlier. But whatever happens, happens. Christ is risen. 2 or 3 nights to Leon. By the way, i met 2 people from down the street of st paul u, ottawa. Fancy that.

day 15-camino

Yesterday i left burgos. It is such a beautiful city. Possibly one of my favourites of all my travels. Tomorrow will be over halfway done the camino!! Praise Jesus. My knee and ankle are not so bad now. My feet are the trouble now. Blisters, heat rash, and general crapiness. But its all good. Ive caught up with quite a few people that i started with, but had to part on my knee day in pamploma. Yesterday was probably the best evening yet. After a 31km walk, i was welcomed into town by an applause from the pilgrims outside the hostal on the patio pub. It was great. Small town. Then we partied. It was great. The people you travel with day after day become almost like a family. Doesnt matter abouy language, age, race or whatever. It is just so great. We celebrated with beer, scotch and orujo. Not a good mix at all. This morning was pretty tough. But i madde it, and the camino continues. Christ is risen!

day 11- camino

I have made family with the koreans. I had supper with them again. 2 nights ago i thought it would be a good idea to stop and have a couple beers when i got to my destination, instead of going straight to the hostel after a 33km day. So by the time i got to the hostel around 6pm, no more beds, so i was given a mat to sleep on the floor. Then a little boy led me and a friend through the streets to a cheap restaurant. I gave him a euro. Yesterday, we were in santo domingo, the chicken town. Chickens in the hostel and in the chirch. (look the story up if ur curious). Best hosyel yet. Really nice. Not so many people in each room, hot showers, and.... Free supper!!! Potatoe and churiso stew!! So delicious!!! Today, i am in belorado. 29 kms tomorrow!! Praise the Lord! I still am in pain, anf still don know why i am doing this.

day 7 camino

Well i made it to los arcos today. Barely. I have a beautiful cold that made me feel like poop. I had very little energy. So it eas good i met up with a couple eople along the way for motivation. Alot of people that ive talked to are here to get away from the situation at home, or looking for answers. You wouldnt believe the number of people ive met that have quit their jobs or are fed up with their status quo and looking for something else. Very interesting conversations. The youngest person ive met is 19 and the oldest that ive met is 71. (i think). This 71 year old was walking 1600kms!!! He really put me to shame- who is struggling to even do 100kms. I think im going out for the pilgrims menu today. Im too bloody exhausted to cook, and i want good food! Praise the Lord! Christ is risen!

day 6 camino

Well, today was a wee bit of a rough day. On top of my knee, my back, my feet, i also developed a cold. Praise the Lord. I very much just wanted to be at home. But i ate oranges and garlic. And the eucharist, most importantly. The Lord is the healeer of all, so if he dont makr me physically get better, i have to count on him to give me a spiritual boost. Christ is risen.

day 5 camino

I hurt my knee. So i spent an extra night in pamplona. But i was able to walk today. I made it to puente la reina. Had to bid farewell to my new friends. Very sad. But its ok. I made new ones. Before, i had brazilian and portuguese gang, and today i was with a korean gang. Lots of fun! And the journey continues. Ive visited many beautiful chirches. The Lord is sending His blessings. Christ is risen!

el camino

Day 1: tuesday, i left st jean pied de pory and made it over the pyranees to roncesvalles, an old monastery. It took me 8 hours with an hour lunch break. That jas been my best day. Day 2: i continued on to zubiri, took me maybe an hour or more less tjan the first day. But for the last hoir and a half, i felt the blisters forming. But, thanks to moleskin and kim bombaks essential oils lavender), i didnt have any blisters the next day. Day 3: it rained the last 2 hours or so, my knee is not feeling good at all, but still no blisters on the feet- praised be Jesus. Ive met so many wonderful people already. Its great. I am absolutely lovinh it. I am in pamplona right now. Where they have the bulls running in the street. Went to pilgrims mass the first day. Really cool. Maybr 10 languages spoken. Most people are travelling alone, like me. And everybody has their own story. It is really a cool community. Many people ive met, dont speak a word of english or french, but we can usually still communicate. And of course, quite a bit of alone time simply walking. St raphael and st james have been looking afyer me.

I am almost beginning the Camino!!

Christ is Risen from the dead! Trampling down death by death! And to those in the tombs, He gives life!!!! We sung this in Greek, Slavonic, French and English today. Praise the Lord!! We had Pascha bread, Cheese Pascha, and Babka, pork, Trappist Beer, wine, chocolate, and all sorts of other goodies!!! Praise Jesus!! It was really amazing. But I just have to say, I am going to have to eat some Kubasa when I get home, 'cause I am craving it so badly!!! I am flying to Bordeaux tomorrow afternoon, then train to Bayonne. I think I will stay the night there (and hopefully I can find a place to sleep). Then head to St. Jean Pied de Port Tuesday. Get organised, then I will start walking Wednesday morning, inch Allah. I am aiming to be in Santiago for May 23rd, but I shall just have to see. I am really in the Lord's hands now; (and I have St. Raphael taking care of me as well). Hopefully in the hostels, or somewhere along the way I will be able to keep you all posted. Praise Jesus! Christ is Risen!!

Holy Week

I am very sorry. I have had very limited internet access the last little while. Here is a summary of my trip since Athos: Malta, visiting the Greek Catholic Community there for one week; Ireland, took a break from my pilgrimage to hang out with my sister and a couple of her friends for 2 weeks (but spent time with the Greek Orthodox community in Dublin for the feast of the Anunciation, and visited the site of the monastery of St. Kevin of Glendalough); England, I stayed with the Madonna House community in Robin Hood's Bay for one week; Normandie, France, where I stayed one week, including Palm Sunday at Mont St. Michel in the monastery there; Resteigne, Belgium, where I currently am and have been for Holy Week. This week, I attended services mostly at either Chevtogne Monastery, or Rochefort, Trappist Monastery. More about this all later. Christ is (almost) Risen!!

mount athos- day 4

Im really behind on my posts. Sorry. So there was the all night vigil on saturday night till sunday morning. For probably 5 hours, i was in a state of semi consciousness. Initially, they had a really nice fire going in the church, so it was just oh so nice and cozy. And the greek "pews" allow you to rest your weight on your arms, and lean, if youre standing; or you can flip the seat down, and lean against the side. I changed from these two positions. The prayers just flowed througje. Theyre were more quiet parts and lowder parts, and moving through the church at different points. But continuous prayer for 8 hours. Wowee. Also, the church and its iconography in this monastery was very old and extremely beautiful. Then at 7 am- breakfast. A full meal deal. We even had fish (that the monks caught), wine, and chocolate!! (and supposedly these fods arent permittes during the great fast- lent). I dont know if i mentioned, but the porter was an australian monk- a young guy. So i had a good chat with him after breakfast. He told me a bit of his own story and how he came to be a monk there. I think it had been 8 years since he was there. He looked early 30s to me. I particularly asked him aboit his family. He had siblings and nephews and nieces. If he stays in the monastery, he wont see some of them ever again. Although he said he did talk with them over the phone. But he said he was part of a bigger family- the church. And he really seemed to be completely fine with iy. I left the monastery at around 9:30am and headed for the other side of the peninsula where i was to catch my ferry at 2:30pm. I wa excited for the walk. I really came to love walking over the past couple of days. I could have gotten a ride, then taken the bus, but i didnt want to. It was just really exciting for me. So i hiked over one half of the way. At maybe 12:30pm, on the other side of the higjest point of the hill, a monk syopped and asked me if i wanted a lift. I got in, and was glad, beccause we covered a lot of ground, but i told him i wanted to get out when we were still maybe 1 hour from the port. The view was really beautiful. I stopped and ate a little something out of my bqg, then carried on for a few minutes. Then i met q man who was very excited to see me. He was speaking russian, so i responded and spoke in ukrainian. It turns out he was ukrainian. Well i tell ya, he was just so excited that i spoke a little ukrainian and that i spoke a little ukrainian. I told him i had to go catch the ferry. He was on his way to st. Panteleimon, the russian monastery. Well, there was just no way he was going to let me walk there. He tried phoning his friend. But when that didnt work, he waved the next car down, while standing in the middle of the roqd, and he smply opened the passenger door to the car, and motioned me to get in. (he didnt bother asking the driver if he would mind drivimg me). So i got a ride to the port with a friendly greek worker on the peninsula. I think he wa an electrician. Then i had a coffee at the cafe, and waited for my ferry. On the ferry ride out, i was really exhausted- finally froom the sleepless previous night). But i was also really thrilled to look back at the mountain, and to be able to say that i climbed it (just abou to the peak). Itjust looked so big from the ferry. The Lord blssed me so greatly on my time on athos. I was sad to leave. I easily understand how some people visit and never leave. It is just such a beautiful life. Really. Who wouldnt want to become a mo.k after visiting thos? But then i remembered that the body is made up of all different parts-each necessary. But i will definitely take my experience of athos with me- probably foe yhe rest of my life. What an amazing and blessed experience. Anybody who is thinking about it should do it. Many blessings. Praise the Lord!

mount athos- day 3

Sorry for the delay. I thought this would happen. Limited internet access here in ireland. So, my third day on the holy mountain began at 4am in the church at simenopetra monastery. (as i would later learn, 4am is quite a generous time). We had matins and divine liturgy. It was was probably around 8am, or i think just before, by the time we finished. It was ppretty beautiful. The krylos (choir) at simenopetra was pretty good. It is interesting to note that at all the monesteries i have been to (including the male and female studiite monasteries in ukraine), there are only a handful of monks (or nuns) that sing; the rest of the monks are present, but not singing. So it was normal for monks to besitting with me at the back of the chirch. There is only one meal a day a simenopetra, but after liturgy, they had coffee and little doughnut type things for the guests. Then downtime till 10, when one of the monks shuttled pilgrima to daphne, the main port of athos. I had it in my mind to visit stavronikita monastery (st. Nicholas). Im not too sure why. I think because i read it was a smaller monastery and not such a popular visiting place for pilgrims. So i set off for there (on the other side of the peninsula. I was actually q little dissapointed to see roqds and cars, and buses, once we got to daphne. I had really enjoyed the southern part of the peninsula, where there really are no roads- only walking paths. Suppliea have to be brought in to the communities living there by miule. Anyway, in daphne, who should i have run into other tha my russian friend from the day before. You ssee, simenopetra only acvepts pigrims with a reservation (because i guess they have very limited space and are very popular). So my friend had to go to another monastery the day before. I have to say, it was like meeting a long lost friend when we met each other (which is very odd, because it had only been one day since we saw each other, and we couldnt even speak the same language). Anyway, we took the bus to karyes- the capital of mount athos. There, we visited the most beautiful church i have ever been in (i think its called Protaron). It is very old. The floor inside is even slanted. But the iconography was absolutely breathtaking. I could have stood in that church forever. In this chirch, there is also the miracle working icon of mary; there is a story (which i wont tell right now) which is why we sing : "it is truly right to bless yu O God-bearing one". This church had a very powerful effect on me. The Church of my mama- Maria. From here, i parted ways with my russian friend again, and began the 2.5 hour walk to stavronikita. Along the way, i saw a beautiful dome of the church and monastery. I wasnt sure what this was. But something was nudgimg me to go in. Im so very glad i did. I met two older monks gardening. We had a good chat in the limited english they had (both greeks). They were just both so filled with joy, it was amazing and contagious. They sent me up to the 'cell' (a name given to something smaller than a monastery and skete- but it didnt really seem any smaller). There i met a monk (the guestmaster), with whom i had a really amazing chat; probably an hour or so. He brought me into the church. I have to say, from the moment i entered the gatws of this 'cell', i had the feeling as if i was in paradise. The gardens, the monastery itself, the chapel, and most of all, the joy and peace of the monks. It was really qmazing. And the monk, talking to me in the church, said that it had to be so. This was the purpose of a church and monastery. To give a glimpse or taste of heaven; to point to something else; to lead to the realisation that this life aint all there is. Amazing. And all this in a completely unplannes, unexpected, seemingly random stop. But the Lord wanted me to go there, i believe. After this, i continued on to stavronikita. On my way there, there was qn abandoned church, which in the basement under the altar, was filled with skulls!!! (presumably of monks) The monks are only buried for a few years, when they die. Then they are dug up and their bones are put into osuaries like that. I got to stavronikita about 15mins before vespers. Quickly put my stuff into my room (q room of maybe 10-15 beds, but in which i was the only occupent). Then a quick vespers. It seemed like maybe only a half hour or less. I would soon find out why. Then we had supper; man, it was so much better than simenopetra! It was spinach (or grapeleaves??) with rice, with french fries, a jelly for dessert and red wine!! It was delicious. And the olivea!! Then, at 5.30pm or so, it was bedtime. Why so early you may ask. Well, i'll tell you: because there would be an all night vigil (to be taken literally) from 10:30pm to 6:30am. And of course, all i was able to manage before this began, was to lie awake in my bed for 4.5 hours!!

mount athos- day 2

So the day began pretty early, but not too bad. I was up at 5:30am and was packed and ready to go just after 6:00am. The romanian dude offered to wait for me, as he was going down tje same way. And the russian dude also wanted to come along. So off we went. We gota bit delayed (stuff forgotten) and so we made it to the bottom around 8am. For some reason, i was panicking, cause i thought we had less time than we did. The ferry was meant to leave at ten from st anna skete (a small monastic community that really isnt so small). The romanian guy went off to visit some romanian monks, and me and the russian continued on down. We stopped at a well for water. By this point, it was maybe after 9:15am. I could see that it was still a ways down to the water. But when we got to the main church of st. Anna, an english speaking monk welcomed us so nicely. So even though i had maybe 20 mins to get to the shore, i had to see the chapel and miracle working icon of st. Anna. Very beautiful. We had less than 15 mins to make it down. I aske the monk how long it would take. To my surprise, he said usually 30 mins. So in a made panic, we ran off. And even running down most of the way, it still took me till 10:12am. There was a boat just leaving, and i made a dash fr it, but, thankfully, it wasnt mine. The ferry was late. Praise the Lord! 15 mins later, we were on the way to Simenopetra monastery. The walk up was quite the long hike up. But absolutely beautiful. Ti had heard about the beautiful garden. I even saw a eucalyptus tree. Completely white bark. Finally got to the top. It was like paradise. And i would be surprised again and again when i would visit other monasteries. Physically, it was as if we were removed from the cares of the world. We made it to the guesthouse. We were offeres turkish delight (amazing, and bevause i really hadnt eaten yet that day, i think i ate at least five). There was also water, and shots of uzo (or however you spell that). It was the first friday of the great fast, but i figured, well, i cant let it go to waste now. Then they brought us in to a welcoming room. I met two americans there. I cant remember where they were from. But they were john and george, greek orthodox. I ended up sharing a room with them in the guesthouse. There was quite a long talk by an elder monk (all in greek), then supper (soup, and some vegetables) (the monks ay simenopetra only have one meal a day, at least during the fast, and many of the monks werent even at that meal). The iconography in the dinning room was just as beautiful as the church. After supper, we venerates the relics of the saints there (which i was allowed to do). But it was specified to me that because i was catholic, (or rather non orthodox), i was not allowed to receive communion or the blessed bread and water. We then had vespers. It finished around 6pm. The next services- matins and litirgy- would start at 4 am, so pretty soon it wojld be bedtime. The americans took m to see st. Simons cave, not far from the monastery. It was there, in that small cave, tht st. Simon lived. There, on Christmas eve, he saw the star appear and shine over the rock, and he heard that this would be the place where he should found a monastery. This is why simenopetra is dedicated to the nativity of Jesus. So, we were set to get 9 hours of sleep, but then had some theological 'discussions' with the two americans. Another short night sleep. But, Praise the Lord. Absolutely beautiful monastery.and that was day 2.

mount athos- day 1

All thanks be to God for blessing me in such great abundance on the Holy Mounyain. I am currently on my way back to Thessaloniki after spending 4 days and 3 nights on Mount athos, greece. I will post by day. I left my pansion in ouranoupolis at 5:50am thursday morning. The ferry left at 6:30am. After 2 days of rough sleep because of nnervousness and excitement, and after months and months of planning, i was finally on my way there. God had actually mqfe it possible for me to go to this place blessed by God whence so many saints had luved, and still live! I was actually going! Then we passed the bend in the peninsula, and i saw the mountain-athos- for the first time. I had plans to climb to the chapel bear the top, but at his point, it still hadnt fully registered. I was so excited! Then we started to pass the monasterie. And i realised i hadnt charged my camera the night before. This meant i had 2 bars of power until the following night, when i reached simenopetra monastery. Oh great. It was so hard to resist the temptation to take pictures of everything. On the ferry, the first people i met were 2 younger greeks. They were going to kafsokalivia, like me. Except they were staing there. They were going to see a father there. For one, it was his first time. For the other, he was a very experienced visitor. When i told him of my plans, they were very surprised. The one ad hiked to the top of the mountain maybe 6 or 6 times. But never this early in the year. He relunctantly said it was possible. I soon learnt that people on mount athos, mounks and pilgrims alike, have a different measure of what is accaptable or "normal". Even though peeople thought what i was doing was crazy, they accepted it; i think probably because they realise that God is in charge, and He makes the impoassible possible. And i would learn that on Athos, this is no rare occurance. I also met a russian monk from st sergios monastery in russia on the ferry. He wanted to come live on mount athos. He said it was easier to praise God here. He was going to visit some friends. He also told me that he didnt like st panteleimon (the only russian monastery on athos. He said the brotherhood was not so good. (so i croased that one off my list of places to visit). He also told me that the 4 day visa was only an excuse to kick people off he told me he stayed for 3 months last time without extending his visa. He told me i should stay linger. Too bad i already jad my flight out of greece booked. Oh well. He also told me good monasteries and communities to visit. I bid him farewell, and walked up the 200meters from sea level to the skete (Small monastic community) of kafasokalivia with the 2 greeks i had met. It was so beautiful, but so difficult. The russian monk had told me, "you can make it to panagia (the chapel o near the top of the mountain if you are strong." after these tiny first steps (panagia is 1500 meters up) i thought "and how am i supposed to make it?" but i knew i had to. I was determined. And i had the aupport of those who i met. Then we met 2 monks at kafsokalivia. The priest gave me his blessing, and i loaded my bottles with water, accepted the sandwich the greek guy gave me, and began my long walk. Somehow (at this point i didnt know why), i knew i had absolutely nothing to worry about. The Lord made it clear to me in the days leading up to athos that i would have to deal with my worries and fears on athos. The words i had with me were i think from psalm 125: those who trust in God are like mount zion which cannot be moved." and i was climbing to the top of a mountain probably not unlike mount zion in some sense. I had to trust. The monk at kafsokalivia told me it would be maybe a 5 or 6 hour hike. I left at 10 am. I had maybe 16 or 17 kgs in my bag. Maybe a bit more at the beginning. I began my hike. Alone. I was walking maybe half hour or less before stopping to make rests. And these were the more substantial rests. I had to stop every 5 mins or so to catch my breath. I thoguht, "i sure aint off to a great start." then at some point i realised that it didnt matter. I would get there when i got there. It was absolutely insignificant what time i got there or how long it took. I didnt have a deadline and i didnt have to prove anything to anyone. I was free. Then i began to pray. The Jesus prayer (lord Jesus Christ son of God have mercy on me a sinner) was a constant source of strength. And so were my gospel tunes. Especially 'i saw the light'. Thats a great one. Although i was too short of breath to actually sing, so i sung them in my head. You wouldnt believe what a challenging way it was. Very rocky in many places and steep! But i thought, "the way to you, Lord, aint easy, but its worth it". In my walk, i passed hermitages, cells, and sketes all along the way. I never saw anyone. Ut i knew there were monks all over the forest around me. It was very cool. Then i made it to the crosspath to turn up and begin the actual jike up the mountain. I reached here just after 1pm. There were warning signs from what i could tell(they were in greek and russian) telling the pilgrim that it was a long and hard path: 3 and a half hours. . I began the ascent. Boy, was it hard. But the view was amazing after not even that far. I walked so slowly. But it was great. I kept thinking about panagia chapel. I couldnt wait to see it. And again, and again, and again, i sill didnt see it. Then at around 4 pm, i finally did see it. I was overjoyed. And i saw someone else there. This would become my friend fromrussia. He didnt speak any english, so i communicated with ukrainian. He asked me if i was going to the very top (another 550meters). I said i didnt know. Panagia chapl had obviously been recently renovated. There was the actual chapel part, then there was a room with a well and fireplace, and a room with maybe 15 bunks. Much better than the wooden planks that had been described to me. Then i went outside, thinking i would sit in my journal. And i began to hike up. Maybe 45 or 50 mintues. I made it almost to the last tree and to where the snow started. I thought, its still probably at least half hour. It could get dark soon, and it is dangerous with the snow. I was also completely satisffied and ready to take my boots off. Then 40 mins of walking diwn, i met the russiqn, nd guess what he asks me? "you wanna go up?" !! I said 'no way. Im done.' but then a sudden change inside. Deep down i wanted to go to the top, and with someone else, it would be better. I thought, 'perhaps this is the Lords doing.' so i said, 'ok, lets go'. We walked and we walked. After about40 minutes, t was 6pm. It was beggining to get darker, and he said tjat perhaps that was far enough. I thought at first, 'is this guy kidding me?!?' i walk all the way up here- again!! After hiking all day long. So i said, "15 more minutes." in those 15 minutes, i had to crush my pride. I realised my drive to get to the top was now out of pride. Plus it was also stupid- it was getting dark, and we were full on in the snow at that poi.t. So at 6.15pm. We took some pictures, and again, with no regrets, we turned around and started the descent. It is a good thing too. By the time we got back, it was almost completely dark. I think it was just after 7pm by then. Then inside, i met a romanian and a russian. I really badly just wanted to take off my boots and go to bed at that point (nearly 9 hours hiking in one day! And mostly completely uphill). But again, i tried to step on my bodies own desires, and talked with the other guy for maybe 45mins. Then to bed. And it was chilly. We didnt make a fire. The good part was, we would leave at 6am the next morning, so we should get a decent 9 hours of sleep (haha- think agai; it was a very rough sleep and long night). But the Lord is good. Day 2 will come later.

Greece!

I arrived in greece yesterday, after another long 24 hours of travellin. I left lviv by plane yesterday with a company called wizz air. The flight to milano (bergamo cost about 75$ cad. Then a 12 hour layover ("sleeping" in the airport), then another flight to thessaloniki. Then i had to figure out the local sunday bus schedule (not too often), then to the bus station to ouronoupolis (where i am currently. This town is only about 25km to the border of mount athos! I went to my first ever service in the greek orthodox church yesterday evening (forgiveness vespers). This was the service to begin lent. It eas a very beautiful samall town church (iconography was very beautiful) and the prayers were very beautiful. By the way, cheesfare sunday (the sunday right before lent starts, seems to be quite the celebration here. In the towns i was driving through, there were tents set up with a carnival going on, kids dressed up. Looked pretty interesting. My only fear now is the rain. Yesterday evening it was beautiful (greece is gorgeous- espeially on the sea), but today all day, rain. Oh well. I leave for athos thursday morning, rain or sunahine. Praise the Lord.

tales from the village

it seems odd that life should have returned to such a normal state as of yesterday here in ukraine, but seemingly, it has (at least in the west- im in lviv now). the tv programming seemed to have returned to the regular, buses running noramlly, people working, students back at school business as usual. but hopefully, it hasnt. and what happened last week will be the beginning of a radical change for ukraine for the better. anyway- tales from pidhaitsi. on sunday evening, i was invited over to frieds of th family i was staying with. to my great surpriae, the grandmother there, perhaps 80 or more, spoke wonderfully in english. she had been the english teacher at the secondary school in pidhaitsi for many years. although she has never left ukraine, she talked with ease in english. she told me a bit of the history of pidhaitsi. she told me tht before the war, there were ukrainians, poles, and jews living in town. i had visited the jewish cemitary in this town a few days beefore. Jthere were over 3000 jeiwsh people living in pidhaitsi in the 1930se town or more (the town's population today is 3000). today, there are no jewish people in pidhaitsi. completely absent. and this lady said that these people lived together in peace before. then the nazi occupation came. her father hid 2 jewish families in the basement of their house. when the father was out of the house, the ss came and searched the house. they found the mother an daughter. the grandmother told me she remembers so clearly the ss taking the mother with her baby child in her arms; taking them to the fieeldd behind her hoouse, and shooting them. she says that memory is so engraved in her mind. can you imagine? to be in a town with such history, but then life proceeds normally. the ruins of the empty synagogue lay near the centre of town, along with the cemitary with hundreds of jewish people. but no one today is left to be buried there.

revolution

so, the past few days have been quite tense here in ukraine. yesterday with so so many deaths. may their memory be eternal and may they rest in peace. i am quite far removed from Kyiv here in pidhaisti. but even here there are barricades set up with men waiting there as a checkstop. they are waiting here because the word is that people (bandits- former inmates of prisons) were sent to Ivano-frankibsk to beat the protesters there into behaving. we drove to zarvanetsya today (perhaps for another post) and there were similar checkstops along the way. there seems to be a sentiment accross the country of people coming together. at supper today, we toated firstly to the fact that there is peace today in maidan, and also to the fact that the government seems to be really making some positive decisions.to my understanding, they have voted to restore the constitution to as it was in 2004, limiting the presidents power; also to quicken the date of a presidential election to prior to december. in my opinion, he needs to go right now. and hopefully thatll happen soon. december is a long while away yet. especially for the pople in maidan. at supper, we also toasted that one day ukraine would be as such as canada (and we laughed that that include the roads-the roads here are bloosy awful). but it really hit me deep to think that the freedoms and the life that i enjoy in canada everyday-- these people in ukraine have never seen or enjoyed. is it really so much to ask? the first time i came to ukraine, i was very idealistic and naive.i had such a wonderful experience; i came to canada and told people that i would love to live in ukraine. i remember one ukrainian friend of mine in canada got very upset with me for saying that. she moved to canada for a better life. in this, my second visit, with 6 more years under my belt, i have a very different impression of ukraine. i guess i am seeing the corruption and the wffects of poor government, lack of trust, and even perhaps lack of hope. these are a people with a difficult life; and yet they recognise that life must go on. these are such a beautiul people here; but i am so much more thankful today for the basic things that i enjoy in canada that passed me by before. i really and desperately hope for the best for ukraine. that they can follow suite like poland and join the EU, and distance iittself from russia. because that seems to result o.ly in oppression and deception. the soviet must be kept as part of ukraines past, and not in is future. May God's will be done, and may God speedily hear the cries of this poor and long suffering people.

backpost: Pidkamin

A while back, on the same day I when to Pochaiv monastery (last week), I also visited another monastery the same day: Pidkamin. This is a Greek-Catholic Monastery. It is a pretty big premise- at one time there would have been many monks living there (it was founded I think in the 17th century). Today, there are two monks. But along with them are 106 patients at what is now a mental institute. In Soviet times, monasteries were closed and turned into mental institutions intentionally; this was the Soviets way of showing that they thought any one who believed in God was crazy. Univ monastery, for many years, was also a mental institute. It was quite an experience for me. When I was in Munich, I visited many Churches that had been destroyed in the war. But they had been completely and beautifully rebuilt. At Pidkamin, the main Church is still completely gutted. The Soviets used the church as a stable and garage. In its current condition, it could very well still fulfill that function. There are three other chapels/ on the premisis; one of those chapels is the crypt chapel. I was told that this was used as an execution chamber by the Soviets. Unbelievable. This place still has a very long way to go to being restored; and I think because of this, it had a very strong effect on me. The scars of the past were very evident. I also discovered the director of the mental institute may be from the very same village as my ancestors: Popivsti. I never got the chance to visit the town, but it was not far from Pidkamin. The bell, tetrapod, and chandelier in one of the chapels at Pidkamin was from Popivsti. I still have to do more research to see if this is the right town or not. But, he gave us a tour of the mental institute- also a completely new experience for me. Big hallways; rooms with perhaps 7-10 beds cramped inside. People wandering around everywhere. It was very interesting. Somehow, I don't think I could find a place as such in Canada. Somehow, the people there were able to fill me with joy; they were all around me; asking me questions; where I was from; if I had any holy cards or pictures for them; one lady sung us a song all the way to the main entrance. It was a very extra-ordinary experience. This day was perhaps the most interesting I have had yet on my journey.

backpost: Paris

There were a few days at the beginning of my trip when i did not have internet connection. Thus, i will write here about my first stop on europe: paris. I left toronto in the evening on jan. 15. I ahd an all night flight, getting into paris at 8.30am with the time change. I did not sleep at all! Bohdan, a greek catholic seminarian, helped me once i arrived, to find a plac to stay. He is studying to priest with a missionary society of pries.There work is prism arily done in asia. I stayed with them in their building from 1600s or something crazy like that. I went to liturgy with them one morning in their crypt chapel. It reminded me of the movie "of gods and men" because of the very beautiful style of chant with the resonance against the stone walls. I dont remember ever experiencing something like that. I did touristy things such as visit the eiffell tower and the louvre and the sene and notre dame and alll that jazz. Some people had told me that paris was a dirty city with lots of people, and not so nice. But i really thought it was beautiful. Beautiful and old buildings in every direction.i would go back. And indeed i will, because my flight is out of there. Qlso had a niv visit with fr. Mykailo romaniuk at the cathdral. Tjats all for now.

Pidhaitsi

On monday morning, i left univ monastery. I have to say that i was very sad to leave i became used to many things there and the way of life; and of corse i will miss the monks! Ill tell ya one thing thoug, my feet are glad to have a rest from 4-6 hour prayer days. My feet have blisters from the monastery- and i wasnt even going anywhere!!! Just from standing in one spot. Because much of that 4-6 hours is standing in one spot; there aint no pews. There are benchesbat the sides, which by the 3rd week, i gave up on any of my pridefulness and made full use of them when i could. I am now visiting my "adopted family" in the ton of pidhaitsi. 6 years ago, when i first visited ukraine, they took me under their wing, an showed me a real experienc of ukraine (as i have no known family of my own in ukraine). They welcomed me back with open arms again.they are just great. At the monastery, i would get homesick or lonely every once in a while; today at baba and didos house, with the family sitting together in the living room, i felt i was with my own family. It was great. They feed me way too much though. I am very glad that we only eat 2 meals a day (even though it seems like were eating constantly through the day-- which we are). And as part o their hospitality, they always serve me a little more than everyone else; it makes me feel very bad-- that i have 2 cutlets when Oleg, the father, a working man bigger than i am- has only one). But at the same time, i dont want to insilt them by refusing the food. praise the Lord. Yesterday we had samohonka (homebrew vodka) made feom birch tree juice . 60 proof. Wonderful. Praise the Lord. And if i was worried about what i should and shouldnt eat in ukraine, i can throw that out the window (whici kind of did at the monastery already). But at the monastery, i could choose wjat i put on my plate. Here, not so. I can just hope for the bes and take charcoal tablets if need be (which i have restocked in) And, as i have now learnt, if you want to seriously learn a new language, dont go to a monastery, stay with a family. Ive ad so many conversation only in ukrainian in the past 2 days! And get this, i can understand most of wat is going on (and i think they at least get the jist of what i say). Thanks pani marijka!! Also, after watching the news today, i am really hoping that there wont be a civil war in ukraine. That wouldnt be good. I couldnt understand what they were saying, but based on what rhe family was saying, an the videos on the news, it dont look good. But, dont worry, mum, i am in a small village hundreda of kilometers away from kyiv. Praise the Lord.

my last day at univ monastery

Last day at univ monastery today is my last full day here at univ monastery. I arrived here on january 25, so it will have been22 days or just over 3 weeks. That doesnt seem like such a long time, but let me tell ya, being in a monastery in a foreign country, where you can communicate in an almost regular fashion with just one other person, whom i would only see maybe a couple times a day-- one day can seem like a long time. But, in retrospect, time still passed relatively quickly. There was alot of reflection time. But there was always something to break it up- or to look forward to. Like i said, there was maybe 4-5 hours of prayer a day. And then i was usually working another 4 hours a day in laundry. Thus, i didnt even get the opportunity to do all the things i intended in my 'reflection' time in my 'cell'. But the Lord's plans are always better. I have confidence that the Lord had things for me to learn here, and even though they werent hat i was expecting, i did learn alot. For example, i learnt that it is true what we were taught in theology class: the 'monastic' way of life is something that eevery Christian is called to. Although my time at the monastery was extremely conducive to prayer and to trying to hear God's voice, i have a strong sense that i must bring this experience with me wherever i go from now, and that i must continue to foster this for the rest of my life. #2. I learnt , by living, eating, praying, and working with these monks, that they aret superhum.an. They are just ordinary people trying to live out the Christian way of life, in the way that God has called them. These monks, from what i have learnt, come from many different walks of life. The youngest (aspirant) is 18 years old, and the oldest is over 80. They each came here with their own history. Some were married, some came straight from secondary, and some from various carriers. But back in canada, when i may have suggested a possible interest in monasticism, the response, 98% of the time was: what a waste! After spending time at the monastery, i have learnt that this could not be any further from the truth. If anything, i jave discovered the beauty and necessity of such a way of life. We need it!! In canada too!! Very badly!! If anything, in canada, where consumerism and commercialism is off the scales, we need monasticism all the more!!!! So, im not sure if that makes any sense, but thar some of my reflection on monasticism after living here with these dudes for a while. Can you believe it? My university studies actually make sense with the real world. Amazing. Haha. Just kidding; but it is nice to see my studies being confirmed in my experience. Soon, i will be off to Mount Athos. And i may have to delete everything i jave just said (only joking- i hope)

pochaiv

2 days ago now, a few of the brothers an i made a day trip to pochaiv- the lovely moscow patriarchate monastery. It really was beautiful. We walked around outside, and visited a few of the churches there. The main church is really amazing. Really. It is hard to describe. We stayed for part of the vespers service. The monks have a great choir- really. It was a very prayerful, pious and reverent vibe. Initially, when i arrived, i wa very nervous, because i was told they hate greek catholics very much. But that wore off very quickly. I felt very comfortable there. Then we went to the skete (smalle monaster) for the rest of vigil. I heard the skete has just as many monks as the main monastery. But the skete immediately had a more peaceful feel to it. The moon and the stars were bright and the golden domes of the churhes shon brightly. It was very beautiful. The services are very regal. And very long. Haha. Vespers was nice, but matins was way too long and boring (the kathisma and canon) for someone who didnt understand anything. But i didnt get bored too long. I walked around looking at all of the wonderful icons. Venerated a copy of the wonder working icon of Mama Maria of Pochaiv. And i guess the place where she appeared. There is her foot (an icon of it) still a lottle confused about that. Wonderful experience altogether. Praise Gd in His holy places. I will write about pidkamin, the other monastery i visited, later. But right now, bqck to laundry (my job at the monastery). Praise the Lord.

the fatted calf

Ok, so it wasnt a fatted calf; but it was way cooler. We had ram for supper yesterday. The monastery has a bunch of sheep, and up until a couple days ago had 1 ram. But the ram was misbehaving, so it got its head cut off. Now thats hardcore disxipline. And i saw its head sitting on the table- with the horns and brains and all. It was really cool (and a little bit freaky). But was it ever tasty!!! By far, the best meal ive had while at the monastery. We had ram stew and then just like that with rice. And the joy around the table; it was really great.i was told though that the brothers always have to call someone from town to butchwr their animals, because they love them so much. Aw. So cute. Haha.

backpost: from paris to Germany

Many of you from ottawa may remember Lutz; he was studying at st paul unibersity as an xchange student 4 years ago. I visited Lutz in Germany- my old friend in his motherland. My first stop was in Gottingen- the city where Lutz goes to universty. We went to to a pub my first night there, which reminded me of the pub from the movie "inglorious bastards" because it was in a cellar all made of stone, lighted by vandles. It was super cool; thankful, no one was killed in this cellar- like in the movie. The next day, Lut's parents came to get u,s, and we drove to Babaria- which seems like the quebec of germamy; everthing jas to ne a little different there. We went to a super cool town which was complete, surrounded by the old city wall. And the town inside has been preserved like from a fairytale. I forgot the name, of course. Then we arrived at our destination: fazendas da esperanca. It is a farm for recovering drug addicts. The idea started in brazil. The head of this house is fr. Christian- lutz's godfather. I had a really great stay with this bunch. I really like the ideal and the feel of this place. The chaps pray, work, eat and live together. They run a cafe on sundays with absolutely delicious and beautiful cakes. Perhapa one day, this project will have to get started in canada- in the eparchy of edmonton- inch Allah. From there, we went to two klosterbrauerei- which are monastic breweries!! Becausei am on pilgrimage, i considered it absolutely essential to visit these spiritual places. Haha. By the way one of the churches of these klosterbrauerei was the weirdest ive ever seen. They had full skeletons behind glass- standing up, dressed like pirates. And the pulpit was the front of a ship, no less. Irsee. By the way, the best ive had,, by Ar, without question waa at the second of these monaateries. From there, we went to the 2 castles by auatria made by the crazy king- where walt disney got the idea for his apparently. Then, to munich. I saw the 1st german u-boat. Super creepy to ne on the other side looking at that. We were hosted by one of lutz's friends: Malte. He showed ua the city, food, and more beer. Beautidul. It was quite amazing to be in all of these buildings- especially chueches, then learning and seeing pictures of them being almost completely destroyed in the war. From munich, i took the 24 hour bus ride to lviv. Now we are all caught up! A huge thanks to Lutz and his parents for being such awesome hosts in Germany!!

lviv with the monks con't

Sorry bout that; this is a continuation from the last post. After the university, we went to the monastery at st michaels for lunch. Then we walkeked downtown for a bit. Then to the metropolitan church of st george. This was my first visit. I got to visit and pray at the tombs of met. Andrei sheptytsky, patriarchslijpy and other heads of the church. Beautiful. And guess who else i saw... My long lost friend... SISTER EMANUELLA!!! Ok, i had already seen her when i initially arrived, but this was a surprise because, i wasnt expectinf to see her. But apparently the patriarch office in lviv is at st georges- which is where ahe works- to my great surprise! We had a great visit. (for those of you who dont know, sr. Emanuella is an awesome sr. whom i know quite well from edmonton; she worked in edmonton for about 4 years, but was called back to ukraine. But perhaps if we pray hard enough, she will come back to edmonton, inch Allah.) Last stop of the day was the a womans monastery in lviv following the studite rule. This is their biggest monastery: ober 40 nuns. We stayed for vespers, complines and supper. And dont tell the monks, but their singing and cooking was better. Haha.thats all for now.