Harvey Travel Arts

So, inside the Dom Cathedral in Koln (Cologne), there is a small part of a low hanging ceiling that appears to be covered with more modern day imagery. I looked for information on this and couldn't find it, but I'm sure it's out there somewhere. It was the first time I've seen something modern incorporated into the actual decor at Ye Olde Church. At least, I think it's modern. It completely stands out from the rest of the building and yet fits right in. So for now, I'll share it with you to enjoy...

Okay, to go along with last week's blog about wasted time, I decided to post these photos of mosaic floors for wealthy leaders and merchants of long ago. I laugh, because in quite a few blogs, I mention that I am amazed at the time and talent of our ancestors. I am; these floors are beautiful! I believe a lot of artisan skills are being lost, or at the very least, becoming less a part of our society. On the other hand, it only takes a couple days to install floors in the average home today versus how long to plan and install something like the floors we see here? Two thousand years ago? The laborers then went to their dirt floored cottage or tent and slept a couple hours only to come back the next day. My dad used to install floors for a living. It is tiresome, long work and little pay. Not much has changed.

When in Koln (Cologne) a couple weeks ago, Brian and I visited this museum with loads of Roman and pre-Roman history. One of the showcases of the museum was this large "monument" or whatever to what? The Roman "gods"? I honestly can't remember if there was something about this written or not, but either way it was two, nearly three floors tall and overpowered the large area. It demanded attention, but for what purpose? So many of these towers must have been made, probably by slave labor, and yet I can't help but wonder if people's time could have been spent on other projects. I'm not talking about using slaves, either, but rather allowing people to spend their time freely and productively. This made me think of God, and his demand that we put no idols before Him. At first glance, you may think, well of course not, I haven't built some stone tower. No, you probably haven't built something like this. But there are things in our lives ...

Brian and I hopped in the car this past weekend and drove to Koln, or Cologne as we English speakers say. One of our main reasons for visiting was to see the Dom, pictured above. This cathedral, otherwise known as the Kolner Dom or the Hohe Domkirche St. Peter und Maria was started in 1248 and completed in 1880. Talk about a long term building project. I wonder if any of the original engineers got to see it through to completion?! Our visit to this city was short lived, only two nights, but I have many photos to share and will do so in the upcoming weeks.