Easter Sunday

Last Friday, I, like most people I know, tuned into the Royal Wedding. The event was stunning. As the guests slowly sauntered into Westminster Abbey, I gazed at the all the hats and remembered "queuing" there two years ago on Easter Sunday. It was almost just as stately an affair.

Not so on Easter Sunday at Notre Dame.

Behind us in line stood a couple
 from CA and WI.

Kings of Judah on the facade

Daisy, *not feeding the pigeons

Adorable children!

Procession of the cross

Once the doors were opened - much too late to allow everyone in before the service began - all semblances of lines vanished as the crowds pushed forward. There was no security and no crowd control, and we suddenly realized that France and England are very different.

One key difference here was that tourists were still allowed in during the service, causing the number of people admitted to soar and the environment to be full of picture-taking and walking. Chris and I contented ourselves with leaning against the cold walls of the cathedral and we stayed for about half the service before leaving. It was enough that we could listen to Palestrina, celebrate Easter in such a historic place, and see these windows, all at the same time.

With that many people, the cathedral was actually very warm inside! I'd started to think that it was impossible.

We played outside and could hear more music streaming out from the open doors. I actually took a lot of pictures then, so I will save those for a later post.