In January of 1968, two earthquakes, only a day apart, hit 14 towns in the Belice Valley, razing four villages to the ground. Measuring around 6.3 on the Richter scale, the tremors led to the death of 231 people in the valley, injuring more than 1,000 and leaving as many as 100,000 survivors without a […]
A Tale of Two Ghost Towns: Poggioreale and Gibellina, Sicily Read More »
“There are no dead in Okunoin, but only waiting spirits.” Spending a night on Mount Koya is filled with many beautiful must-see sights but none more so than Okunoin Cemetery, Japan’s largest graveyard. It was early afternoon when we set out, but we were immediately blessed with gorgeous dappled light, showcasing the Autumn leaves in
Okunoin, Kyosan : The Temple at the End 🇯🇵 Read More »
Morocco is synonymous with colour. Cities glow with burnt yellows and rich rusts; deep majorelle blue; verdant roof tiles. The towering spice displays in the souqs are a kaleidoscope of ochre, burgundy, mustard, cherry and khaki. However, this abundance of colour is completely removed when it comes to the colours of death and mourning. Traditionally,
The colour of grief: Burying the dead in Morocco Read More »
Chicagoans first buried their dead on the banks of the Chicago River until the city began to steadily encroach on the space and concerns were raised about the possibility of disease being spread. Also this riverside land was highly sought after, perhaps better suited to the Lincoln Park of today. For these reasons the graves
Chicago’s beautiful Graceland Cemetery Read More »
Graveyards can be sombre and contemplative spaces. Coming across a 17th century burial site just above the Kanmangafuchi Abyss in Nikko, that was interring “The Graves of the Self-Immolation”, was especially intriguing. I’ll admit that I wasn’t exactly sure what ‘self-immolation’ meant and had to have Geoff explain to me that self-immolation is the act of
Driving through Norway, one passes through one picturesque village after another. At the heart of some of these towns you may even come across an historic wooden or stave church built in the Middle Ages and looking like something out of Grimm’s Fairytales. Each churchyard houses manicured grounds with well tended graves, swamped with flowers
Norwegian Cemeteries: Not so easily “dust to dust”… Read More »
Apparently there is a name for people like me who are fascinated by the beauty and the history of graveyards – “Tombstone Tourists”. Most people see graveyards as a harsh necessity, while others go out of their way to avoid them. I think I’m captivated by the unknown, by the finality of the lives that
Tombstones and picnic baskets Read More »
I have a fascination with graveyards. I am drawn to their peacefulness, their interminable silence, their other-worldliness. Death is a mystery to all of us, but a cemetery compels you to engage with the concept whether you want to or not.
Les saveurs de la vie is a blog about lifestyle, travel, food, photography and other musings. We are Nikki and Geoff, married since 1995 and based in Johannesburg, South Africa 🇿🇦.