Montserrat

Teegan and I went to Montserrat on Sunday. It is a monastery high up in the mountains and there are many religious and historical events that have been said to have happened there. One being the location of the Holy Grail! We took a train ride up the mountain to the monastery and went to the basilica (church).

We attended the Catholic mass which was all in Catalan and only understood when the people began shaking hands as we do ´´peace be with you.´´

There was some sort of parade while we were there with people dressed up as a donkey. We did not really understand it. There were children hearding the donkey around the area and a band of people behind making noise. It was very cute!

Then we went for a long hike up the mountain and the sites were amazing! The whole mountain was nothing but winding stairs. As we were walking up we saw a few people rock climbing up the highest parts of the mountain.

This is the view from a point almost at the top. We did not make it all the way because we ran out of time. We had to get back to the base before the last train left the mountain, otherwise we would have had to walk all the way down!

As you walk up the mountain there are shrines that you can stop and pray or look at. The one we found was not open when we got there but I did manage to take a picture. It is the shrine of Saint Jeroni.

To end the wonderful day, we left the top of the mountain via a gondola ride. I highly recommend that next year´s students go to Montserrat at least once! Teegan and I will likely return in the next couple of weeks. (Even though our legs are definately paying for our adventures today!)