Jaap Rameijer's Blog

How strange to write this newsletter days after Brexit happened. But it happened and I am sad that it happened, but it will hopefully lead to some important, and necessary, changes in the European Union.

We had planned this trip years ago. It was one of the things we  very much to do. After exploring France extensively, looking for Mary Magdalene, for Black Madonna’s, for sacred places and for power places, it was time to go to England.

We already made trips to Spain, to Gerona, to Barcelona and to the Black Madonna’s in Montserrat and Nuria. We had been to Scotland and to Ireland, all wonderful places to visit, so now it was time to go to England. 

Many of us have experienced some hard times during the past months. It wasn’t easy. There were all kinds of problems. It felt as if we were being attacked on our weak points. As if things from the past needed to be solved. Or maybe it was the energy from the Universe striking the earth in powerful waves.

And maybe things are heating up here on earth and are finally coming to a conclusion. I don’t know. I only know that a lot of people were, and still are, facing serious problems and that many didn’t and don’t feel very well.

Maybe we are being confronted with ourselves. Maybe we have to open up. Revealing who we really are. Like a challenge. Going back to our source.

Not much news in July and August. We had some wonderful groups. Reint and Gabriela came to our place for the 10th time! I had a great time with a camera team from RTL 4 taking shots in Collioure for their popular program “Camping Life.” And in Rennes-le-Chateau we had, for the first time “Le festival du Film Insolite.” A perfect place for such a happening.

I had the honor to bring Tom Kenyon and Judi to their hotel in Barcelona and decided to stay over one night. To see something of this beautiful, lovely, lively, city.

First of all the Ramblas. So colorful. Lined with restaurants and stalls selling magazines in the evening and flowers in the morning. Lined with theaters, palaces, galleries, markets, churches and shops. Full of the most beautiful girls showing off to who-ever is watching them. And full of all kind of art expressions. A city of small streets, nice squares, beautiful churches, various museums and of course the famous works of Gaudi. A city full of tourists, mostly young people, riding carefree on hired bikes. And a city that is kept very clean by lots of workers.

The festival of Sarah. The festival of the gypsies. I went there with my American friends. The friends of the ‘sacred femininity.’ I dropped them in the middle of the village and then drove about 4 kilometers to the east, to park the car. It was full that day, mud full. It took me almost an hour to walk back to the center of the village.

Every year, every time, I discover something new. Like this time. The wonderful, magical caves called ‘Les Grandes Canalettes,’ just outside the walled city of Villefrance de Conflent, on the road to Vernet-les-Bains.

What a beauty. So well indicated, so joyful lighted, so accessible for the public. It was a fantastic experience. I need not say much any more. The pictures will speak for themselves.

And Jan Cercone made it even more special, even more beautiful, by singing ‘Ave Maria’ on the music that was played in the cave.

Enjoy, dear friends, enjoy.