The church at Vika

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Sometimes, a single experience can make the entire trip worthwhile all by itself. It happened to me just a few days ago (last Saturday) in the small village of Vika outside Falun, whose 14th-century church I was told had some magnificent wall paintings that I would want to photograph.

As I approached the Church two women walked ahead of me — one was the priest, and the other I soon found out was a singer, for as we entered the church she went to the front and stood next to a grand piano, at which a man sat waiting for her. I looked up and around and let out an involuntary "wow", to which the priest smiled and said, "your first time here?" I asked her if I could take some pictures, and as she said "of course", the pianist began to play the opening chords of Simon and Garfunkel's Bridge over Troubled Water.

The singer' voice was strong and level, with an accompaniment faithful to the original; the music bounced off walls full of painted ochre figures and returned warm and bright. I felt like I was falling into velvet; I set up my camera with shivers running down my spine. Then, when she was finished, she sang it again.

They were rehearsing for a wedding, taking place in just 45 minutes. I think they assumed I was the wedding photographer. As I walked out, the wedding party was arriving. They smiled, but then looked a bit worried as I packed my camera bag and drove away. I think they also assumed I was the wedding photographer.

If you are ever near Falun, drive the 20 minutes to Vika, for it has this exceptional church.