st of the cathedral. I realized it was ten times more beautiful up close. A worker there told me that if someone were to yell directly across the opening of the platform it would never make it to the other side. However, if one simply whispers against the wall of the dome it will travel the circumference of the circular platform and you can hear your own whisper as it travels around at the speed of sound.Back on the main floor, I looked at the various tapestries and sculptures illustrating the churchs great wealth, all priceless works of art but none as beautiful as the altar. It rose all the way to the ceiling and was made of solid gold. At the crest of the shrine was a life-size golden statue of the Virgin Mary. This was almost as stunning as the paintings of the dome. She stood atop the altar constructed for her son, and held her hands out to us as if she was trying to silently tell us we should follow in the path of God if we wanted to go to heaven. I stood there for what seemed like an eternity staring at all the beautiful works of art some people devoted their entire lives to. It helped me realize there was an entire side to life I had yet to explore. Church was a place not only of God and purity, but a historic testament to life hundreds, and even thousands of years ago. And with that I left, embarking on life with a whole new perspective and appreciation for things that I never before gave much attention to. ...
