have you ever had a feeling that time is flying so fast, you can't seem to breath or otherwise you'd be 10 years older? hahaha... I know I'm exagerating but it seems like this is happening to me right now. so we even had to go on a vacation in a jiffy...

thanks to our new car macy grey, we were able to go to different places without any fear of breaking down or having the hassle to call ADAC coz they had to pull us from the highway to the nearest repair shop... I tell you its not funny! but that was time long-gone and another story that would definitely need some time writing...

first stop... Taizé, France... it was our first time to go there and armed with my huge map of Germany and France and instructions from Mapquest.com, I wanted to challenge the thought that women could not read maps! yeah buster! I can and how!!! haha!!! But when we reached the exit and was going through the outskirts to the "landstrasse", I was starting to get worried... At first there were signs to Taizé but later there were none anymore... luckily the address they mentioned also included "Cluny"... so looking for "George", we went on our way and followed the sign... geez and I tell you, along the way, I could find different songs to fit our voyage... "A long and winding road" or when we start asking each other... malayo pa ba? and I sing "Hanggang sa dulo ng walang hanggan"... while looking at our gas meter and seeing "50 km. please tank"... then finding no gas station around... and instead "taaaaa!!!!" there it was, Taizé, 500 meters... hhhmmm, you mean to say the village is only 500 meters wide... nyehehehe... corny mani popcorn...

anyway, we were skimming the road and who do we see... Lando in his yellow shirt! Great sign talaga ni Lord... so we happily parked and joined the kids, or should I say youth... after the hustle and bustle of our accomodation, we happily went to another office and proudly took our keys for our accomodation, petit tente... excitedly, we walk to our assigned area and we see a couple of rows of blue tents and beside them some small huts... trying to figure out if one of the huts hold our number "12", and starting to get a funny feeling about it, I could didn't find any 12... then looking at the tents, I said to myself, "Nah, can't be" but still I went and checked the inevitable... aie! aie! aie! there it was, tent number 12. But I still said to myself, well, where's the lock and maybe there was a slim hope that the key does not fit anywhere but finally it did in a small padlock at the base of the tent. Opening it up, I could only look in incredulously... sitting inside, I could only mutter “they must be joking!” with a toddler in this tent with all our stuff for almost 4 days? but sadly it was true... then looking around I saw a couple of long bugs and just imagining them sleeping with us! brrrrr!! and this made me decide to go with resolute steps thru the hot sun burning our back, and back to the reception to ask for another accomodation... good news: there is something for us in a villa. bad news: its about 2 km. away so we have to drive there everytime. However, looking at the bright side, we took our keys and try not to remember those tents. Actually its alright but not really for families with toddlers... and not unless you LOVE bugs...

Finally settling out a bit in our new-found home, we went back to the Taizé community for our dinner... WELL, it must be said that people go there for a retreat and to take a step back from our everyday life and luxuries... so we could not expect too much for the accommodation neither the food. We were not there actually for vacation but to commune with God and listen to His Words. Heck, how could you expect more when one pays only 45€ for 3 days including lodging and food. So there, it’s quite clear that we could not have too much expectation. But you see the food was simple to the point of having no taste at all. And to eat that half-heartedly during the whole stay is quite a challenge. However, as they say, everything taste good for someone who is really hungry, so eat it all we did... Before the sun sets in Taizé on our first evening, my hubby and I left the village to go and try to hunt for a gas station. But this is such a long kuento so I’ll put it on another episode.

The next morning, we found out that the programmes for families where only for those staying the whole week (gosh! talk about real sacrifice with that food for the whole week?!?) so we were obliged to join the adult group and frankly, my heart started sinking because I was really looking forward to re-discovering God with my family, particularly with my son but that wasn't for us coz we were only staying for a couple of days. After the first whole day, I just gave up and looked around to see what we can do otherwise together and not lose the opportunity of staying in the area. Coz actually the region of Bourgogne is really quaint.

Taking our time the next day, we decided to go on a side trip to certain areas we passed by that looked interesting. We ended up in Buxy and looking at some shops and finally settling down in a restaurant, we had our first decent meal after a couple of days. It was like heaven in our mouth and thank goodness we found a really great restaurant. Then after our meal, we went around and got some real food from the grocery and tried to get a sweet Bourgogne wine. But the guy at the counter told me that these are only available around September because the supply of wine depends on what month the harvest was made. So I just took a dry Bourgogne wine intending to give it to my uncle in Geneva.

Going back in the evening in Taizé, I appreciated their solemn celebration very much. Finally for a brief, 1 hour, we were able to take a step back and have some moment of silence and reflection. I was glad that I had the opportunity to come to Taizé. To the place that I only heard of in 1995 during the 10th World Youth Day in Manila. Not knowing that my path will lead me to this special place. It has amazed me how young and how many of them come here to pray. It's amazing how at the end of the ceremony, children and youth kneel touching their forehead to the cross, venerating it. It was a moving sight and one I'll never forget. For all its simplicity, its one gift of Taizé that I'll always cherish. Then a long line of people came to the front so that Bro. Roger, the founder and leader of this community can "bless" them. We were lucky enough to reach him and get his blessing.

Then off to OYAK we go. This is a small convenience store that they have established for the youth to convene in a more relaxed and mundane manner, even selling a glass of beer to relax. Here the youth talk, dance, sing and meet new friends. Its really great and very positive atmosphere and everytime, it was a new experience. The whole community is really amazingly organised.

After a relaxed morning and just listening from the outside of the church for the mass celebration going on while keeping an eye on my little monster, I just find myself happily having a reflective moment. When the mass ended, the Tropa went to the bus that will bring them back to Bonn while we wave them goodbye and continue to the second part of our trip…

Looking back, I think Taizé is really the best place for the youth and services they have there are beautiful. As Lando mentioned, the heart of Taizé is its music and I could definitely believe that because its simple, short and true. No wonder there is a lot of youth all over the world who travels and visits this place. It is an alternative to an otherwise materialistic life. Finding one’s spirituality is its goal and it gives this to the youth even for just a couple of days. Maybe, when I’m older, I’d be able to experience it in another way but at least I can say that I was touched by the music and through it, by God himself.