Confessions of a Ski Bum ( installement 2)

Mike made me realize that there is another story (even more bizarre than the first) about this village. When I told this to my wife, she laughted, then did not believe me and insisted on called the authorities who saved me just to confirm that this really really happened!

glup,,,here it is. Promise that if ever you find out where this Cathederal is and visit it,,not to laught as you enter!

While I was skiing for a week at this resort (that Mike is not going to give any more hints) I was bored in the evenings! I was alone and as stated previously the village was "closed"! I mean no other stores, no hotels, nothing!

There was this huge huge cathederal and I must confess I have never been in such a place! One evening I was drawn into the huge doors. I was amazed at the work done with elaborate carvings of various religious events.

Then I tugged at the huge door and it was opened. Keep in mind that it was 7 PM. dark and no one around, so every step I took seemed to echo and strange sounds came from deep inside. Steam pipes that expanded, I thought,,but then it did sound also like bones moving!

I was mesmerized by all the very very strange objects hanging on a wall of the entrance. I had been a ski patroller many many years before so I recognized some "surgical objects)! Neck braces, crutches, leg braces "à la Forest Gump", corsets that looked more like some ancient torture devices.

Then I entered into this huge dark cave. Strange smell! Not pot but it did remind me of the 60's,,,,ha,,,incence! never knew that Catholic still used the stuff!

Then I was amazed at the tile work. I love laying tiles, using old Italian tiles with unique patterns, but this,,this was beautiful,,no it was amazing! In the flickering light of the many many red candels burning ( yes my wife explained to me the function of those many many candles) I saw images made by masters!

Now here is my first confess,,please all you Catholics,,do not shake your fist as you read this. I took one of those huge candles,,you know the 2 meter high ones, lite it and used it as I walked around the massive cave!

I discovered scenes I had read in the bible (yes I do have some religious training) but they were so much more vivid here,, so much more beautiful!

1 hour pasted and I found myself with angels. Huge angels, beautiful angels!

Then I found a door,,I know,,I know I should have NOT entered this door,,but it was opened and another smell came from the stairs! I went down to the crypt!

2 hours later ,,I think to myself, "awful quiet here. Maybe I should go back to room"

I go back to front door and it is locked! Ho Ho,,,,
"Do not panic" I think. There must be another way in this huge cathederal! There was! 64 doors and all locked!

Here is my second confession. Again please all you Catholics do not send me emails telling me how ignorant I am about such matters! What could I do,,,,I WAS beginning to panic!

First a timid "hello"! Then louder,,until I was now shouting in various languages ( I know a little latin)! All I got was an echo,,,,no no several echos bouncing off the huge walls!

Silence!

It was getting colder and now I was beginning to think that this was all planned by "higher beings" and I was to submit.

Here is my third confession. I can see you all now turning red! Seems there is a place no one is supposed to go except priests. A small room with all sorts of clothing! Well I did!

Took some "cloaks" and laid on the long first bench. Thank you it was padded for the VIPs!

I slep very well since I felt protected!

In the morning light I found a phone. Called 911. Initially the person did not belive me and just hung up after I told them I was locked in this huge cathederal!

Called a second time and asked her to listen as I shouted and the echo lasted seconds! I sensed the person on the end of the line take in a deep breath! I could "see" her face turn white! Immediately she got the police.

Same story given to the plice,,except this time I did not shout,,to prove I was in this place. I describe certain scenes, ! I heard, "merde vite,,,,,,"

10 minutes later I heard the siren and I had the presence of mind to return the "borrowed" garments!
The doors opened and 5 policemen rush in, look around see no damage then look at me "strangely"!

Then they all laughted!

If ever you lived in a small village,, everyone is related and everyone knows what is happening! Soon I had ,,I am sure all the villagers at the fron doors, wondering if another miracle had not occured! I tried to slip away quietly but them "mama" shouts, "Pavel, Pavel" where have you been! We were so worried"

From then on all the villagers, their kids and now the third generation kids point to me as I walk in the village, as if I was the vilage idiot! I even get some people who I meet in some conference, some ski event that stop me and ask, "are you that English Protestant that was locked in the Cathederal"?

I reply, "No no,,,it was my brother. Not very smart. Always getting lost"

That is my final confession!

Pavel,

There are much worse places to be "locked - up" for the night :mrgreen:

One item I found most memorable from that cathedral was the statue , no -- more like a shrine, to the left near the front. (I hope that isn't a hint) :lol:
Mike :wink: