Genius loci

Two different places, two completely different feelings.

The first felt almost magical, it was a Catholic order full of real faith and devotion, free from the Vatican's vanity and pride. Even if it is not exacly an open place, they made me feel welcome, they were just kind and good people. I could have told them that they worship yet another version of the solar god - born in December, going through mysteries of death and rebirth in Spring before he can attain his full divine power. I could have, but I didn't - those people were happy with their faith and their belief made it real.
"Come back tomorrow, we will be holding a vigil" - thank you, kind lady, maybe not tomorrow, but I will be back one day for more tranquility of that place.

The other place was simply a former asylum for the criminally insane. Deactivated and peaceful now, but with lingering weird karma all around. Not to mention the display of lobotomy instruments and electroshock devices.
Nicely kept lawn, whitewashed walls, colourful pictures painted by former inmate-patients, yet I kept thinking what sordid affairs took place there in the last 100 years. Maybe it's better not to know...