After having exited Spain in the same method that I used to enter that country (namely on foot, by walking across the border), I took the train from Hendaye (which is just across the border in France) to the Lourdes train station (via a change of trains in Dax).
Upon arrival at Lourdes, I walked the mile from the train station to the sanctuary limits and checked in at the "Maison des Chapelains" (Chaplains' Residence). I was assigned room N° 61 (which is, coincidentally, the year of my birth). It's a pretty simple square room, with a partition concealing the sink, shower, and bidet -- there's no toilet -- they're at the end of the hall. It will agonize me for the entire month of June to ponder why the builders took the trouble of installing a bidet -- but not a toilet -- in a priests' residence!
The room has a single bed, an armoire, a desk, a couple of chairs, a nightstand, and two lamps. I've had to rearrange the furniture a bit, making the room a bit more homy.
I received my first schedule soon after arrival. There are three confessional periods per day: 10-11:15, 2:30-4, and 4-6. I'm usually assigned at least two out of the three time slots. Today I had all three. I do get one day off per week.
The last time I was here was in January, right before I started the Camino (which was the "short-lived" attempt). During that time the place was a ghost town. Things have certainly changed. High season has just started, and it's getting more and more packed. The pilgrims arrive in waves.
One thing to be said about Lourdes: that the sick and physically challenged do come first. There are long lines of youth and others pushing the wheelchairs of those confined to them. In the processions, the physically challenged are the first in line. They have priority here, and that's good.
You know, we are all disabled in one way or another. It's just that most of us can hide our disabilities.
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