September 17, early morning bus from Esperaza to Carcassonne. I stayed at the Youth hostel which is actually right in the heart of the medieval walled city, (The Auberge de Jeunesse Hi Carcassonne).

Staying one night and walking around the city was like stepping back in time. There was a spectacular sunset that evening, and I spent time by the outside walls watching it. Carcassonne is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

As I am very interested and respectful of the wisdom of the Cathars, and had been in the Cathar region before arrival. Evidently the Cathars were not treated very well on this location many years ago… ‘When the first group arrived in Carcassonne,  Fred described how the Cathars had been subject to the Inquisition, in the Tower of Inquisition, tortured in an attempt to force them to renounce their own faith and turn to Catholicism. They were then tried in the Tower of Justice, found guilty of heresy, thrown into a prison (without windows), which was built between the two towers nicknamed ‘The Wall’ . They were without water, air, or food (men, women and children) and then they were taken out and burnt at the stake. The Wall itself no longer exists, but the two towers do.’ http://chrissieastell.com/ Now as I write this blog years later after going there, and find this piece of writing I understand more of why I felt called to go there. At the time I was not aware of this information.

Sept 18, travelled from Carcassonne to Arles, arriving at about 9pm.