A pilgrimage to Burgundy
“Voyageur il n’y a pas de chemin, le chemin se fait en marchant”- Anthony Machado
I took a plane to Paris not aware I was embarking on pilgrimage. Arriving in late afternoon to ORLY airport, I found a fellow beauty chaser, Sarah. Together we took the train from Paris and arrived to Montbard in just an hour and a half. We met our friend on the platform and drove to Semur-en-Auxois. Welcomed by a friendly pup, Sabin we were hosted with simple decadence. Apéro, vin, plat, teasanne.
This journey felt spontaneous yet deeply intentional. I found budget airline tickets through Frenchbee that had non-stop bargains from SFO to Paris in early January. Peter and I have been dancing with the possibility of France in our future. Four years of living in Paris, this country is home to many dreams and deep friendships. Its a place where poetry is lived in daily life. Peter’s parents lived in France in the 1970s and my mother too- with her family. Our family histories include baguettes, art, adventure and a love for La France! This trip was a vision quest of viewing an apartment, getting my feet on the soil and meeting many creative artists and visionaries along the way. Our journey still continues with each step as we pray and seek direction.
Our gracious guides of the region, Etienne and Carter are in the journey of designing a home and renewing their apartment- a renaissance of sorts. Living between Burgundy and Paris, they have modeled a new way of life in between the “Campagne” (countryside) and busting vibrant city. Their puppy is a statuesque playful delight that goes with them to and from Semur-en-Auxois
Sarah is a film photographer. She lives and breathes hospitality- having lived in italy for 15 years, she knows how to live into the beauty and zest of life. She was a perfect travel companion on this pilgrimage. Her Roliochord and Leica film cameras swaying with her every step, capturing the seconds of eternity.
On our final day in town we met many inspiring artists in the region. An inspiring couple Marcella and Ulysee Lacoste welcomed us into their shared atelier. Later we spontaneously drove to La Perle- a poetry farm that is in process of becoming an art residency for poets! Marguerite is the powerful force behind this dreamy space… she is a poet, dreamer and similar soul.
The pilrigmage to Burgundy continues in my imagination and prayers. A brief three day trip to the French countryside filled my soul with the reminder that the table is where community is cultivated and where story lives.
