We took an hour bus ride north to the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá which is a church built almost entirely of salt within the tunnels of a mine. We watched a short film that explained how truly massive the mine was and that the church, while still extremely large, only takes up a fraction of the mined area.
In the nearby vicinity, there is a museum dedicated to mining and minerals. Before we got to the entrance of the mines (and thereby the church) we passed along a park and a constructed "tree" that can be climbed, but we weren't up for the challenge.
The entrance to the church:
From the balcony overlooking the altar:
Another view (the lights change color):
Angel sculptures (unfortunately the tour was in spanish so I didn't understand):
Nativity Scene:
Sister Barbarita and I in front of the salt waterfall which continues to grow:
In front of the altar:
La Creación del Hombre, based on Michelangelo's The Creation of Adam:
The Rosary Chapel
On the way into the church, you walk along the Stations of the Cross and the guide talked about each station (but of course I didn't get that part so I can't share).
First Station: Jesus is condemned to death
Second Station: Jesus carries His cross
Third Station: Jesus falls the first time
4th Station: Jesus meets his mother
5th Station: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry his cross
6th Station: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
7th Station: Jesus falls the second time
8th Station: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
9th Station: Jesus falls a third time
10th Station: Jesus clothes are taken away
11th Station: Jesus is nailed to the cross
12th Station: Jesus dies on the cross
13th Station: The body of Jesus is taken down from the cross
14th Station: Jesus is laid in the tomb
After being shown the stations and the church, the guide leaves us to our own time to look around and reflect. We walked towards the exit and took the time to watch the flags displayed along the ceiling of the entrance to snap pictures of Colombia and Peru. We waited forever for the US flag, but grew impatient and left without it.
After we left the church, we had lunch in the nearby food court. I forget what the soup was called, but it was authentic and delicious.
Hermana Maria Lopez (the sister from the first post that worked at a missionary in Cuba) and Sister Barbarita's niece, Patricia, came to the airport as we got there with plenty of time to check in and say goodbye. We was wonderful meeting Patricia and spending those last precious moments in their company. It was a tearful good-bye and I look forward to seeing them again.
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