The York Minster

Another not so long story today:

I thought the Notre-Dame de Paris was a very beautiful cathedral. Today I have seen one that – in my opinion – is more dazzling: the York Minster. Like I had told you, I went in a few times. But today after school I actually bought a ticket and walked in. The Minster is very immense; lot of space, light and bright. Of course, it is one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe. In the middle (the ‘crossing’) there is a very high point and if you stand under it, it is really really amazing how high it is. There are magnificent stained-glass windows and even a rose window. And it is possible to climb the tower. It is tricky, because there are a lot of steps (more than 200) and the last bit is narrow. But the view is gorgeous. You can see the whole city and beyond. You see the moors, you see the hills in the distance, you can even see the Kilburn White Horse (very small and very far away, but visible)!

I did not had the time to go in the crypt or the undercroft/treasury, but the ticket is valid for twelve months, so maybe I go back tomorrow or Friday. Because that is also very interesting of course. The choir was practising, so there was also very lovely singing while I was there. The Chapter House (where all the import church people have meetings) is also stunning. The ceiling is very beautiful.

So, I already liked the exterior of the Minster and now I also like the interior of the Minster. In other words, I really admire the York Minster.

Yesterday and today Inés and I lunched in the Minster Park. How cool is it to eat your sandwich next to the Minster! Really nice.

Today we sat on a bench near a fence of a house next to the park. There was a dog that could stick his nose through the fence to beg for something to eat. He could reach more benches, so he tried it at all the benches with people on them. Two older ladies sat down and they had not seen the dog yet. So he suddenly stuck his nose between the bars of the fence and one of the ladies jumped up screaming because she did not know what happened. It was really funny (the ladies also laughed, so it was no gloating).

School was good today. The morning class was as usual, not much to tell. The afternoon class was very nice today. We did a lot of talking. The subject of this week is learning, the brain, and everything connected to those. Today we learned ‘fixed phrases’ with the word ‘mind’ in them. Like: mind your own business, never mind, open-minded, have something in mind, etc.

Just two school days left. But I asked the teacher of the morning class if I could have the answers to the exercises in the book we use. So, when I am finished here I can do more exercises and practise more English. I keep myself busy with learning ‘perfect’ English.

Richard and Norma had a friend and her kid visiting. The mother had something she had to do on the computer, so Kay and I were sort of babysitters for her boy Ashton. He is three years old and very active. He really likes to laugh and play games on the I-pad of Norma. He is funny. Kept saying “silly billy” and “oh dear” (something that Norma often says). It was – yes, this is still me talking – it was fun to keep him busy. And laugh with him.

Tomorrow another story!