Stop by the Cemetery ..................

Last Sunday while going to the neighbor city of El Alto, I had to change busses at Buenos Aires Street, which happens to be in front of the city´s cemetery. To my surprise it was extremely crowded, there was a huge traffic jam at least two streets before the taxi could get there. At first¸ I thought there was a protest happening or that it was the month of November, as in some Latin countries during this month, people celebrate all saints or the day of the dead.

However, I asked the minibus driver and a street vendor, and both of them told me that Sundays all year round are like that. It is a tradition for people to visit the graves of their beloved who rest in the cemetery.



At the front of the main entrance, it is packed of street vendors selling from fruits and vegetables, to flowers and sprays for the graves. In addition, just crossing the street, there is a market exclusively for beautiful and colourful flowers that are sold for a decent price. The vendors insist asking people to come closer to their shop to see the flowers from close. Most people who entered the cemetery were with their families in order to transmit this tradition. I appreciate the unity of the families and the remembrance of their relatives who passed away. Beyond the superstition and religion traditions, the fact that people get together and keep bonded with their relatives is a great value that still distinguishes Latin cultures....