York, York!

I wish so much that we could have spent more time in York. Although I am glad that we had a chance to see this charming city, so I won’t complain too much. York is completely adorable—following in the footsteps of Edinburgh and Alnwick—but for it’s own reasons. It has a very rich history and many centuries-old buildings that make for an amazing setting. Every direction I turned in had remnants from the 16th century; instead of it looking depressing, it looked magical to me.

We got to the city and had nearly two hours to explore before we had to be at our site visit, so Becky and I set off for York Minster, one of the most famous cathedrals in the world. Walking down a narrow street to get there, I felt transported to another time. Pubs with weathered signs lined the sidewalks, window displays mixed new souvenirs with antiques and cobblestones led the way to the cathedral. The atmosphere was welcoming and it made me feel very fuzzy and squishy on the inside. I was very. Happy. To be in this town.

My happiness rose to elation-level when I saw York Minster. The spirals reached for the sky and seemingly touched the perfectly puffy clouds. On the sidewalk outside the church an artist had rendered a multi-person portrait of religious dignitaries and saints in every color found in a crayon box. The drawing was enough to make me catch my breath. It also made me so excited—if it was this gorgeous outside the church, how much beauty was I to find inside?
My expectations were met and exceeded as I stepped into the cavernous entry way. Surrounding the entrance were high stained glass windows that sparkled in the noon-day sun. I was so entranced by them that I forgot that there was more to the building.

Once past the ticket-takers (because every historical building costs you some cash, of course), I lost myself as I wandered through the statues of saints and holy figures. The details displayed on each figure was exquisite; like each statue had taken the artist a lifetime to get it just right. It amazed me to see the different expressions on the faces, the garment creases that made each one look so life-like. The amount of time that must have been spent on each figure—it blew my mind. And it wasn’t just in one small area. Around the minster, figures could be seen on everything from pews to columns to honorariums of donators. The detail-work surrounded me and left me breathless. To think of the commitment it must have taken each of the artists and architects…it blew my mind.

While wandering, I found a small area at the end of a corridor filled with tealight candles. Inspired by the beauty I saw and love I felt throughout the magnificent cathedral, I struck a match and lit a candle for my family. As I watched it flicker and burn, I felt shivers up and down my entire body, then began to smile as a peaceful, content emotion swept over my being. At that moment I was not another tourist gawking and snapping pictures. Instead I was a part of history, a significant being in God's universe who felt His grace smiling upon her.

At noon, chimes sounded over the intercom and asked each visitor to pause, reflect and spend a moment in silence. A prayer was then said to ease all the pain and suffering in the world and to bless all inhabitants. Again, I felt shivers and a peaceful emotion run through me. Being a part of York Minster cathedral fed my soul, heart and mind. It was truly an amazing experience.