"Castles, Cathedrals, and Crazed Enthusiasts"

The door opens and a burst of amazement consumes your face. Nothing but beautifully crafted light fixtures and god-like windows everywhere you turn. In the corner, a dark, mysterious hallway that is the beginning to a 500 stair climb to the top of this dome. No one around you, only silence, silence of the dead and resting. Pausing and staring at this most wondrous place dubbed a true European Cathedral.

I had never really known much about cathedrals. I’m not catholic and we don’t really have any with great history in my area. Architecture was always of interest to me, so I did get a taste of what some Gothic and Old-fashioned cathedrals were like. European history taught me mostly what I know about them, but my knowledge of them is far from being fulfilled. Only being able to see pictures and read text is far too limited. I like to experience things first hand, and I finally did March of 2006.

When I heard about the trip, which was during an IS (Information Society) club meeting, I knew right away that there needed to be a spot for my name. It was a week long trip to England, Scotland, and Wales. Two of those countries being my most desired travel destinations. How perfect? The teacher discussed everything happening on the trip then took questions. Being so curious, I raised my hand and blurted, “Will we get to experience true, European architecture?”, and when she replied yes my mind blew up in excitement.

Although the United Kingdom is very similar to the ways of America, it also differs tremendously. You have to be quick to pick up the dialect, otherwise you will be lost. From the first minute I got there, to the front door of our hotel, I had already seen three cathedrals that waited out exploration. We checked into our hotel rooms, unloaded our luggage, and began our Welsh adventure.

Our first stop, obviously, was Wales. Not really a big country, but full of history and architecture. The first cathedral we visited was small, but as passionate as any other European beauty. So quiet and dim, truly a sanctuary of silence. These places are meant for prayer, meant for unity, and most importantly meant for God. As we moved along to Scotland, there were more opportunities for us to experience a true cathedral.

We made our way to the biggest one in the city and wasted no time. Scottish cathedrals follow more Gothic styles and contain more intricate work. They are extremely beautiful and so dark at the same time. English cathedrals are a bit different than the others. Since England is just a bigger country than the rest in the U.K., it is understandable that it contains the most cathedrals of all. My favorite cathedral of the whole trip is in England, and it contains a 500 step staircase all the way to the top of the dome. These places seriously bring a tingle through my body and I can feel the history.

I’ve been to many places in the world and have seen many different wonders, but nothing as memorable as these. I really did lose myself in these places and never wanted to be found. Cathedrals provided a feel for religion, a first hand experience as to what goes on under this faith. Not only did it provide me with this, but also an unexplainable form of architecture that blows your mind away. Never will I stop exploring these places and never will I forget them as well.