Just as I did when I began sharing with you, dear reader, our travels through Iceland, I thought Easter an appropriate time to share another collection of houses of worship.* The unrest that follows all of us relentlessly in our daily lives, whether we are bystanders or directly affected by the violent world around us can make it difficult to find peace or understanding or even forgiveness. I try to find peace in the quiet moments I carve out for myself which can sometimes be difficult to find even when I am alone.
Sometimes those moments do come to me amongst the multitudes of a cruise, tour bus, or crowded city.
On Valentine's Day 2020, Mari and I set sail on a long-awaited Panama Canal cruise, a childhood dream of mine with its origins in many a Love Boat episode. We had to wait until we were both retired before embarking on this new adventure because these repositioning cruises are typically only available during the spring or fall, not during our school's-out-for-summer break.
Mari and I chose to spend a Sunday ashore exploring the city of Antigua, Guatemala last February. We stumbled upon a storage yard where a few volunteers were preparing and repairing statuary in preparation for upcoming Lent and Easter festivities. In the background of the above photo is the Volcán de Fuego which erupted ten miles away in June of 2018.
Whether the volcano looms or serves as a reminder of the unpredictably awesome power of nature is open to interpretation. All I know is it framed our view of the religious icons quite spectacularly as did the bright midday sun and so this is where I begin my Easter journey with you.
As a child, Easter was a joyful celebration. It was a celebration of spring, of life, of family. There was often chocolate involved, too. Usually long chocolatey ears of a hastily unwrapped bunny that sacrificed himself into my care after 40 days of my own Lenten "sacrifice." Childish sacrifices like chocolate, gum, or candy seemed cruel and unusual at the time, but adulthood would eventually teach all of us that true sacrifices were not to be found neatly wrapped in pretty pastel foil.
For the moment, we were in Antigua on a strikingly sunny Sunday and the small city was teeming with adventurous tourists and locals alike.
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| Iglesia de la Merced, Antigua, Guatemala |
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Iglesia de la Merced, interior  San José Catedral, Antigua, Guatemala  San José Catedral, interior Cartagena, Colombia was a far-reaching first for us, our first ever visit to South America. Crossing continents last spring afforded me plenty of time and opportunity to reflect at beautifully ancient new-to-me locations.  Catedral Basílica Metropolitana de Santa Catalina de Alejandría, Cartagena, Colombia  Santa Catalina de Alejandría, interior  Santa Catalina de Alejandría, interior  Santa Catalina de Alejandría, interior Our final three ports of call were all on the Mexican Riviera, another first and three more pins on our world map. We visited the next two churches during our day exploring Mazatlán and its environs.  San José de Copala  San José de Copala, view from behind the bell tower    |
Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas were the final stops on last spring's journey before we paid another visit to the City of Angels (and a new-to-us fleamarket at the Santa Monica Airport, of course). I especially enjoyed the festive and inviting atmosphere enveloping Our Lady of Guadalupe and this first image brings a huge smile to my face every time I happen upon the photo.
Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, Puerto Vallarta
Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, interior
Misión de San José del Cabo, Cabo San Lucas
Misión de San José del Cabo, interior
Wherever you may be (physically or spiritually) this fine Easter Sunday, may you be at peace.
As always, I am ever thankful for my shared travels with Mari and for the welcoming comfort of fellow travelers and thoughtful locals. Also for thoughtful tour guides who help us capture the moment when a selfie just won't do.
*Here is a direct link to that earlier post.
