Catch-up, kinda....

Geez im so behind on my posts!! I think I left off last friday before Loire valley
The weekend was amazing. We started off at Chartres Cathedral. It was known for the place christians went for pilgrammage, over a thousand miles. They actually held a relic of mary's clothing from when she gave birth to jesus--over 2000 years old!! pretty cool huh! I can't remember for sure, but i think they might still have it. The church was originally built around 800, and the bottom portion- the crypts, survived the 1174 fires. It is the oldest stain glass- dating back from 900(everytime there was a war they took it down to protect it). After the fires, they built the gothic cathedral on top of the crypts. the only expansion was upwards because it was considered holy ground. The arches were built will wood arches that they moved after each arch was built. Most of the church(after the fire) was built by 1220--pretty fast builders for that time. There are two huge Rose windows that are very famous and were sooo beautiful. Each of the window panels tells a story from the bible. It was the way they educated people about the bible--just passed down the stories before the printing press. We got a tour of the church from a well know guy- Malcolm Miller. He has written several books on the church.
Outside in one of the doorways were sculptures of Jesus and his disciples. He was in the center between the doors and the men were in the rounded arch of the doorway. The men each held the instrument of their death--beheaded, crucified, etc. Also, they were not wearing shoes--i think it was something about getting into heaven. The statues on the other doorway were all wearing shoes. Then, above the men was all of them at their judgments, gettting into heaven with jesus again. It was very beautiful and very interesting.
Oh ya, the Cathedral is a seat of a bishop in case you didn't know. The stained glass windows were supposed to symbolize jewels above your head in jerusalem--stemming from Revelations inthe bible. Can you tell that I took notes?! Yes, i was the only nerdy one writing stuff down ;)
After the Cathedral tour, we went to the local market which was fabulous and picked up some snacks for the road. Wine, all kinds of great fantastic cheeses, bread, best strawberries i have ever had, olives, and frois gras- which i never knew i liked-very disturbing how they get it though. I will spare you if you dont already know. We also pickd up some funny masks- i will try and post pics later. the girls had to buy boys and vice versa. it was funny.
We had a picnic on the bus on the way to Blois.
After Chartres, we went to the royal castle at Blois.
I think i might have to come back to this.....friends are waiting on me to go to the tour de france. I know how jealous all you are....but im goin to rub in it haha! Hopefully we will see Lance--sad hes not gonna win but we still love our American. I think he is into young girls right now(heard a rumor he was dating an olsen twin??)-- so I will watch my back(side that is). We will be right there, probably close enough to feel the wind from them riding by. they circle paris 8 times before the finish line. So excited! I will take pics! love you all