THE GOD-MAN The Life, Journeys and Work of Meher Baba with an ...

122 THE GOD-MANthan any other European country. He was happy to be in Spain. At 6 p.m. we reached Avila.This was to be our last meal for twenty-four hours. Baba had very special work to do here, andduring our fast we were not to touch him, though we went together for a walk over the hills withhim. Shortly before noon the next day we crossed the square and entered the cathedral. Tall greywalls, straight columns of stone supported a high, vaulted roof decorated with gold; the sideaisles were like dark tunnels owing to the absence of windows; the nave was arched by a stonerib supporting on high a superb crucifix which was illuminated by shafts of light descendingfrom clerestory windows ... we were very exalted, the spiritual atmosphere was not unlike that ofSaint Mark's at Venice, or at Assisi. As we left, Baba directed that four silver coins should begiven to the sacristan.We then walked through the city, to visit the shrine of Saint Teresa, built on the side of herformer home. The city is small and soon we were outside the crenelated walls; the terrace onwhich we stood commanded the plain and exposed the hills to our view. Baba pointed to a hillbehind the town and said we should walk there. Climbing up a dusty donkey track we lookedback at Avila. The brilliant sun shone on its encircling walls while many bastions threw darkshadows, steep cobbled streets led up to the cathedral-crowned summit. Long ago, before thecathedral was built, Baba had been there, he said, and we were now looking for the place on thehill where he used to sit. .. As a remembrance we picked some of the fragrant herbs. On ourreturn we broke the fast and enjoyed a feast of fruits, tea, and wine.Baba was so happy at Avila. There are in Europe, he explained, as in other countries, holyplaces, particularly connected with great spiritual working. The four centres are Saint Mark's atVenice, a place on the Ligurian coast in Italy, Assisi, and Avila. We had now visited them all.They were holy ground from which sprang the saints-we thought of Saint Francis, Saint Teresa,and Saint John of the Cross. One of us was ordered to return to Avila in ten days and to visit thisparticular place every day for seven days'.We reached Madrid at 10.30 p.m. on the evening of the 24th, and went to the hotel that hadbeen chosen by Baba. The next morning he could not get the hot bath he required. The wholeparty was rushed up and down the stairs, expostulating with the staff. Many promises. In Spaindinner is eaten at 10 p.m.; they go to bed at midnight or later. Things are put off till tomorrow,and they get up late. Once more D. felt responsible, worried, and guilty. We went to complain tothe