Welcome to the City of the Dead

The San Lázaro Cemetery mimics the La Antigua Guatemala, with its many mausoleums. Walking around feels like walking around the City of the Dead.

9 Responses to "Welcome to the City of the Dead"

sompopo says:
August 5, 2007 at 8:04 pm
You were right about white. I take it that it is for aesthetic reasions? Are all grave sites above ground?
I can only imagine walking through there on a clear night with the moonlight dancing off of the white and shadows merging with the night. So peaceful are the dead.
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Patty Watson says:
August 5, 2007 at 9:10 pm
rudy,
Love your pictures…this one is very peaceful and beautiful. Keep the shutterbug clicking!
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ale says:
August 6, 2007 at 12:43 am
Do you know why they’re all white washed? it’s the only cemetery in Guate that I’ve seen like that…
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Mack Clarke says:
August 6, 2007 at 8:50 am
I’m trying to find information about a road race on Sunday, July 15, 2007. Walking with my camera, I snapped several people competing. Does anyone know the official title of this race? Does anyone have a name/address of the person with information about this race?
e-mail Mack in South Carolina
mackclarke@yahoo.com
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Lessie says:
August 6, 2007 at 12:03 pm
I’ve only been to New Orleans once, and that was before Katrina — but this picture reminds me of the cemeteries I saw there. Majestic almost.
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Claudia says:
August 6, 2007 at 8:09 pm
muy bonitos, but I’m a scaredy cat – I can’t help it – . . .
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Scott says:
August 6, 2007 at 8:56 pm
Some funny and thoughtful Woody for Rudy…..
I thought this was fitting given the gravity (pun intended) of the topic.
More than any other time in history, mankind faces a crossroads.
One path leads to despair and utter hopelessness. The other to
total extinction. Let us pray that we have the wisdom to
choose correctly. –Woody Allen
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Suzanne says:
August 6, 2007 at 9:09 pm
It is a shame that these beautiful photos cannot reflect the tranquility that is felt when you enter the cemetery. Or at least for me. It is peaceful and quiet, and on a warm day with all the traffic passing by outside, it is like stepping into another world. Rudy, thank you for the fantastic pictures! By the way, Mack, the race you are referring to is the XXVI Medio Maratón de las Rosas. You can find more info here: http://www.maratonguate.com/home.html .
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Rudy says:
August 6, 2007 at 10:26 pm
Sompopo, I did find some graves below ground, but that was not common in this cemetery.
Patty, while walking around the cemetery I felt peace and tranquility, much needed by the way since my day was hectic.
Ale, this was my first time inside this cemetery and I have to admit I was surprise. This cemetery was clean, almost all white, with mostly mausoleums, most of them stately looking. I don’t believe I ever seen this kind of cemetery in Latin America. I guess I will have to do some research for a future series.
Mack, the name of the race goes by the name of Medio Martón de las Rosas and it marks the beginning of the celebrations for La Antigua Guatemala’s fair. There is one racer who always competes for the last position and he gets mad if he’s not the last one; he goes by the name of Tono Ballena.
Lessie, most cemeteries in Latin America are like this, except they are full of color and caos.
Claudia, actually you could not be afraid in this cemetery.
Scott, let’s hope we vote correctly in 2008. 😉
Suzanne, I know photos can not convey the sense of smell, tranquility, peacefulness and such. Other times I take video clips to help understand a little better the subject at hand. I am afraid I did not take any this time.
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Welcome to the City of the Dead

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