Hiking

So yesterday, Saturday, we had the day off to do as we want, so a group of us took the opportunity to go on a hike. We were either going to go on a hike through some archaeological sites or up to the top of a mountain nearby to a statue. Well, for the archaeological hike, we had to take a train, so we decided to wait until our transport passes were valid (1st of October). So we decided on the mountain hike. The statue turned out to be quite difficult to find and took us about an hour just to find the trail leading to the statue. We finally found it, and it was a rather difficult hike, just because it's quite uphill. So we took it slow and when we got there, it was quite the sight. The statue is probably 100 feet tall and at the top is Mary. It's very beautiful. At the top, we met a German man and his two young children. He told us some of the history and about the landscape. From the top, we could see all the major sights and could really put them into perspective as to their sizes and locations. It was pretty fun and it wasn't hot out, so it was just a nice way to spend an afternoon. Later that night, we went out to eat at a restaurant/bar. I had a beer and a hamburger and I couldn't even finish it. It was good though.

This is the view from the top of the mountain. Quite nice. The castle-looking thing on the left is actually the Dom, or cathedral. It is two parts, and is the oldest Bishop's Church in the country. Well over 1000 years old, and if you go inside, you can pay 1 Euro 50 and look at the treasury. Inside is a book dated from the year 753. Also, there are relics from the alters and the heads of the bishops' canes. A lot of gold and a lot of history. It is very pretty, indeed. The big building on the right is the Basilika, and it is twice as old as the Dom. It was built for the Roman Emperor Constantine. Very big, and very old. I haven't gone inside yet, so more to come on that one.

Above is the statue. I wish I could get a picture of Mary, herself, but it's just too tall. Very pretty though.

This picture on the right is of some American friends standing next to a huge, VERY old cross. The lettering in the cross is Latin, and I can only guess, but I believe it is somewhere in the range of 1000 years old. Pictured are, left to right, Brian from Texas, Jamie from Washington, Anna from Idaho and my school, and Tristan from Nebraska.

From Dylon With Love