From Annie Oakley to Old Arthritic Lady :P

Yesterday morning, we got up early to go to the mountains for the day. I was super excited because the mountains here a beautiful when you see them and the prospect of being around snow (even if it was small amounts) provided me with the much needed energy to climb a mountain - on foot that is.

So, we decided we would go and see a monastry hidden in the secret terrain of Canigou (the name of the mountain), the monastry being St. Martin de Canigou, who was a person who killed a dragon according to the legend. Don't worry, I won't recount all the history I learned on this trip. But, I will just post some pictures because I hardly have the words to describe the serenity and unbelieveable beauty I witnessed yesterday. There is some calming and wonderfully comforting about that type of environment and I would seriously love to see it again. In fact, we are going to a house in the mountains this weekend to a zoo and hanging out there.

But, back to the journey up and down the mountain. Going up was relatively easy, in fact everyone kept commenting on how fast I walked. But seriously, I was not in shape, I just walk briskly...but it was such good exercise. And the thing that hit me most is that if I were in Canada I would not have the time to do something so rewarding and refreshing on a weekend. Once to the top we took many pictures and admired the landscape and then we walked in an area that visitors aren't suppose to enter. We ate lunch there - a picnic in February LOL - and it was delicious. Mind you, I didn't sit on the edge like the rest of the group because my fear of heights prevented it, nevertheless my view was still as incredible...I just didn't have to worry about possibility leaning back to far into an abyss. :)

Going down was another story, it was very difficult on the knees and worked so many muscles that I didn't know existed in my body. By last night I was starting to feel it, and this morning when I woke up I couldn't walk normally. Climbing a mountain like Annie Oakley was definitely cool - they called me superwoman b/c of my fast pace - but waking up like a grandma for an 8 a.m. class seriously lacked in the cool department!!!

I will stop blabbing now, and without further ado, however, here are the pics...ENJOY! ;)


Natalia, Katelyn, Manon, Marthe basking in the sunlight where we ate lunch (it was an incredibly gorgeous view)
Here is the monastry St. Martin de Canigou...it was built in the 11th century and recently restored. Amazing to think that something so old withstood the test of time and continues to be preserved and is inhabitated by monks and nuns!
And the 3 Canadians pose for a shot on the steps of the monastry in front of an entrance not for visitors.
A view of the landscapes...such diverse vegetation, but simply breathtaking...
A cross obviously, but it was so cool because we were bad and went into an area not permitted for visitors to enter and there was this path towards this outdoor sanctuary with this cross, an altar and benches. Very serene and simplistic but I think those 2 qualities made it all the more beautiful!