November 2016
Carpentras in Avignon
We settled ourselves in our hotel in Avignon after our pit stop in Milau. The next day we were given "free time" to see the local community of Avignon. We were given the chance to see, smell and taste Provence! And the best place to jump start our senses is to go to the market. So off we go to the local market of Carpentras.
Wheeeee! Alam nyo naman ang mga Pilipino, pag sinabing palengke, ay naku, e alam na!
A little bit of info first about Carpentras from wikipedia.com:
Carpentras is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France. It stands on the banks of the Auzon. As capital of the Comtat Venaissin, it was frequently the residence of the Avignon popes; the Papal States retained possession of the Venaissin until the French Revolution. Nowadays, Carpentras is a commercial center for Comtat Venaissin and is famous for the black truffle markets held from winter to early spring.
Photo below is from web-provence.com.
This is what I really love about travelling. I get to learn the culture of the place and experience the life of the locals. And for me to be able to do that is to explore places where the locals "hang out". Saan pa nga ba kundi sa palengke!
Pero bago mamalengke, daan muna sa simbahan at paaralan... We dropped by the (former) Cathedral of St. Siffrein - a cathedral dedicated to St. Peter and St. Siffrein.
From wikipedia:
The Cathedral possesses an especially sacred relic, called the Saint-Clou, the remains of one of the nails that was used on Christ at the Crucifixion. According to the legend retailed by Gregory of Tours, two of the nails were given by Saint Helena to her son Constantine the Great, who wore one on his helmet and had the other fashioned into a bit for his horse's mouth (or into a bridle ornament).
Photo: Me, Ate Rory, Ms Juliet, Ate Merle, Ms Guada, Ate Nona
When we entered the church, it was already the reposition of the Blessed Sacrament. So we joined the congregation for a few minutes for the Blessed Sacrament to be brought back to the tabernacle.
The image of the Blessed Virgin in one of the chapels inside the cathedral.
A pretty stained glass window in one part of the church.
I was so happy to see FME here! Hehehe! A reminder that his beatification is just a few more hours to go.
We passed by an NDV-run school in Carpentras. The name is very familiar, right? :-)
After the church and school visit, off to the market. Excited na mamalengke e!
Fr. Kiko Dizon buying dried fruits. Yummy! Nakikain ako, syempre.
Paano kaya tumawad sa French?
Buti na lang kasama namin si Ms. Juliet Garan
(NDV Philippines General Responsable & 24th Generation - Carmelian)
Spices everywhere!
Whew! Crazy hot peppers!
Great food in Carpentras :-)
Paella!
So many cheese! I love fromage!
It's my turn to buy. Awa ng Diyos nagkaintindihan naman kami ng tindera. Sayang, di ko sya nakunan ng larawan.
Going to the local market (tiangge style) in Carpentras was a different experience. It was truly Provençal. My senses went berserk as I saw, smelled, listened, tasted and touched the culture of Provence. A big thank you to the NDVs for bringing us here. And of course, for being our barter, middleman or a.k.a. "taga-tawad" sa mga tindero at tinderang Pranses.
Life. People. Culture.
Come taste and see Carpentras.
Bonheur! Joie! Be filled!
- At 'yan ang sabi ni Manang!
France
November 2016