We took a bus tour from Dublin to Newgrange the oldest known site of civilization in Europe. It was built about 5,000 years ago. It's a burial vault and also predicts the winter solstice sunrise like Stonehenge. The day we were there it gushed rain and wind. We had to wait outside for about 20 minutes for our turn to enter and experience the site. People were drenched and cold but it was worth it! A girl was crying at the entrance and someone said that she was having a claustrophobic attack. I began to wonder how I would feel crouching and winding through a dark narrow shaft. I told myself that it couldn't be that bad. It was reassuring when we got into the main vault and it was softly lit. The real excitement came when the guide said that she was going to turn off all of the lights and simulate a shaft of sun coming up the passage as it does at winter solstice. When the lights went out you could see nothing. Minutes passed. We were crushed together breathless in the black. Then a light appeared and crept up the entrance passage! What a joy! We actually got to be in the original site not a recreation. It was spiritual.
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