Ska Workshop 6 and Europe

So a long time ago was the last workshop with Freddie. I didn't get to stay for long since I had to leave for France, but I did get to play Baba O'Reilly a few times before I left. Reflecting on the workshop now that it's done, I see that I actually learned a lot. One of the things I learned is how to do a cover on a song with a band. The trick is to figure out the chords and how long each chord lasts. That's pretty much the core of making a cover of a song. The rhythms and stuff are secondary. Before the workshop, I didn't realize how simple it actually is.

I spent my entire winter vacation in Europe. Words can't even describe how incredible it was. But I'll try to sum it up as best as I can.

One thing I learned a lot about was religion and churches. An intricately designed church can be read just like a book. Every statue tells part of the story of God, Jesus, and the bible, as well as history of the country.
Look at the picture below. This just a part of the cathedral in Reims.

If you look carefully, you may see these things

• In the middle is Jesus
• To his right is people being carried to heaven
• To his left is people being carried to hell
• Above him on one of the higher rows are the virgins emerging

You can see similar designs on the church of Notre Dame in Paris.

In the second to last square on the bottom is a demon taking a crap on some sinners

The rest of what I learned is hazy, but you get the idea. Since people for the most part couldn't read, they told their stories through pictures. It made me think about how we've been talking about religion and rituals in STAC. It's incredible to think that so many people were united under these myths and beliefs. For many people, the time in church was the only time they felt like they had purpose. I completely understand the feeling of something greater, and the want to connect to that in a negative and desolate world.

Inside of these churches there was an eerie darkness filled with colorful splotches of light.

The details on the stain glass windows are so intricate, most aren't even visible to the naked eye. Looking inside a pair of binoculars you can see that every animal, crop, person, and tool is strongly defined and fully colored. Many of these churches were under construction for at least 200 years. It shows.

Speaking of places that connect you with something greater, Switzerland is breathtaking.

I'm speechless.