The Spirit's Journey

 

While not on most tourists’ “must see” list, visiting a burial ground can be quite interesting. 

Here, in a cemetery in Puerto Rico, one was intrigued by a belief long-held by islanders. 

Since 1863, Cementerio Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis in San Juan has been a burial place

for many Puerto Ricans.  Historically, Spanish culture viewed death with superstition and fear.  

The cemetery’s oceanfront location is said to have been chosen to enable the spirit to peacefully  

move beyond death to the afterlife.  Here, the spirit is thought to be calmed by the natural sound  

 of the ocean and the quiet beauty of soulful marble sculptures.  The vast expanse of the ocean 

reaching the horizon and “touching” the heavens is seen as connecting our earthly world with 

the hereafter, offering one’s spirit clear, safe passage to the distant, ethereal afterlife.

A comforting setting for those fearing death and what may follow.

                                                                                       

                                                                                                    

 

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Art from Travels

As one visits major cities, historic locations and many lesser known sites spotted across the 

globe, often seen are captivating, memorable scenes captured on canvas by local artists.
Their artwork offers a unique interpretation of that special view, that memory, that moment in time.

A watercolor impression of the Rynek Glowny in Krakow, Poland is such a piece of art.

An artist's brush takes one back to a time when, standing in the portico of Krakow's 
Cloth Hall, Polish history, legends and folk tales seemingly came to life.  The

story of the legendary Hejnal Mariacki (more here); the Nazi's theft of the

altarpiece from St. Mary's Basilica; the Cloth Hall as a center for European trade

and the ancient tale of the pigeons at Rynek Glowny really being 13th century

knights (more here) unfolded in real time in one's mind, while standing in the portico.

Today, a painting recalls that day and those thoughts.  It plays with the mind and

imagination of a wanderer of Polish ancestry.

                                                                                             (more on St. Mary's Basilica and art in coming posts)