Last Saturday I was on my way to the department store Liverpool to spend a birthday voucher, when I got sidetracked by this place Cementerio Frances, a stone's throw from the shopping mall Parque Delta. Scrolled in wrought iron above the gate were the welcoming words "Heureux qui meurt dans le Seigneur", and so in I went......
It was a scorching day with an intense blazing sun, the metro had been hot and stuffy, the cars were honking, and I was looking forward to the relative comfort of an air-conditioned mall, but instead I was provided with something a whole lot better - a tranquil haven, a shady oasis of dappled shadows and silence.....what a refuge!!
I spent a good two hours wandering around, totally alone, taking photos, and soaking up the serene ambience....
Originally this cemetery had been a burial place for the French community here, but today the names on the graves are all Mexican apart from a small handful of very old tombs. I could only find one French resident named as Mme Louise Horr born in Brittany in 1917, and another very old grave simply read "souvenir"...
As I left, I was just taking a final photo near the cemetery gates, when suddenly a security guard came rushing over to tell me that photos under no circumstances were permitted....Oops! Too late!!
Cementerio Frances is just across the road from Metro Station Centro Medico and Parque Delta Centro Commercial...and no I never made it to Liverpool after all!! These shots are all colour shots...the place was monochrome that day! For more shadow shots from around the world this week click here for Hey Harriet.
16 comments:
Hi Catherine, beautiful post and photos here ! So glad you were able to get some pictures before the photo police arrived... I cannot understand why anyone would object to photos being done in a cemetery, if the photographer is respectful of the subject matter.
Interesting about the person from Brittany... and beautiful light in there, monochrome color... better than a shopping mall anytime, in my opinion...
"Heureux qui meurt dans le Seigneur"
"Happy are those who die in the Lord"
What lovely all over dappled shadow shots! Thanks for stopping by. Will be back. Want to know more about Mexico.
Another super post. I always enjoy all the information you include. And what an amazing collection of shadows! I'm not sure I've seen so many in one spot!!!
I felt the same the day I went to Havana cemetery. Your review brought back so many memories. I love the way that initial picture seems to invite the reader to read your post. Maybe (un)intentional :-)?
Lovely photos and commentary, it does look like a tranquil place.
Greetings from London.
sounds like a really lovely day - its nice to find little gems like this and get lost in them, isn't it. Especially if there is some illicit photo action to be had, haha!
It certainly looks peaceful and inviting with all the shadows.
Gracious - those are the most beautiful shadows - ever! All of them...so many - and among such an interesting cemetary. Isn't it funny how our plans can change in an instant? We can see why it drew you in - just wonderful, truley wonderful! Thanks for the detour!
Thanks for all the appreciative comments this week...it truly is a beautiful place...
Beautiful...and fascinating. I thought the shadows all looked like lace.
Such beautiful shadows! ..and the perfect spot to escape the heat! :)
I'm glad the guard did not stop you earlier, these are beautiful shots. Monochrome except for the occasional splash of green.
Hi Chicken Gina and Martha...thanks for stopping by...I loved my visit to this place
It's such a simple but beautiful effect, I love these shots.
SP ...thanks..I have been admiring the artistry of your photographs very much over the past few months since I found your blog... I have no artistry at all in photography and am extremely amateurish, but just so darn lucky to be currently living in such a photogenic country and city!!
i love how anywhere but america, cemeteries seem so romantic to me :) great shadows!
anne
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