Capitol
Lying here on my back, staring at the beautiful
ceiling above me, I am reminded about why I want so much to
go to Europe. The marble under me cools my back that has been
overheated by the Texan sun. The voices around me echo in the
large hall, and I feel strangely at peace. Every panel of the
multi-layered dome is intricate and ornate. I can’t help
but stop to take pictures. The dome above me is asymmetrical,
and is strangely beautiful in its “imperfectness”.
I notice that every layer has a different border, bringing to
mind John Ruskin’s belief that if everything was exactly
alike, life would be as boring as when every cloud in the sky
were identical. The Texas star looks down upon me, reminding
me of all of the men who have died for the freedom of this great
state. Looking at the star, I feel as though the eyes of Texas
are indeed upon me. The place where I lie is a scared place,
except that it is the heroes of Texas, and no God that “manifest”
themselves in front of me. They draw my attention to the ground
I lie on, and I notice the U.S. seal with the Eagle facing the
leaves (a sign of peace). But what the words “E PLURIBUS
UNUM” means, I do not know. I make up my mind to discover
this meaning, as Dr. Bump carts us off. The inside of the capitol
reminds me of the places my brother visited this spring break
in Italy.
St. Mary’s
I love Cathedrals. I don’t know why, but
I always have. The first cathedral I ever went to was in Goa,
in India, but I have very little memory of the place. What I
remember more vividly is St. Patrick’s in Manhattan where
I went the winter of my senior year. I love the architecture
and the immediate feeling of peace it creates. It reminds me
of how I feel when I go to the beautiful temples in India; the
awestruck feeling is the same. My favorite part, however, has
to be the stained glass windows. The vivid expressions on bright
colorful panels set alight by the outside sunlight have a very
ethereal feeling to it. Rachel Sibley put it best in the conversation
I had right before coming in:
Me: I have a strange fascination for Cathedrals.
Rachel: I think we all do, because they were made with such
complete love and adoration.
Brian Dillon points out that the tomorrow is Palm
Sunday, which is why the entire cathedral is lined with palm
leaves. St. Mary’s Cathedral reminds me about the best
part of Austin: that it is possible to find peace and solitude
even in the center of the city. As a person not of the Christian
fait, I am struck by how “sacred places” can be
awe-inspiring, no matter what faith they are intended for. As
of now, I am just enjoying sitting in the pews, absorbing and
feeling the energy dispensed by the believers of this faith.
There is an aura of the human spirit that inhibits this and
every other religious place, and it is this aura (and not the
Lord) hat strikes such a resonating chord in my heart.
