A Footnote: A Descanso
Descansos are a fairly common sight where I live. This picture shows one just one block away from my home. It is dedicated to a jogger who died from a heart attack on this spot about three years ago. His friends and family still maintain it and sometimes, at night, candles are lit.
Image: Lori Gloyd (c) May 17, 2006
posted by The Gate Keeper @ 8:03 PM
4 comments
The 
4 Comments:
Lori, a kind of descansos tradition had grown up here in Australian, mainly for the victims of traffic accidents. Friends and family members will leave flowers at the scene for some time - the very saddest, of course, are those where children have died.
they are common in France too, where they are often marked by a black metal figure with a stripe of red lightening across the body. Too often they represent children under the age of 10 and adults over 70.
Yes, I can agree, and have seen many by the roadside as Gail has mentioned too. It must mean a great deal to put those markers there.
This is fascinating phenomenon. I used to see these only on highways. Now, I see them all over the city. I pass by THREE of these on the way to work each day (a 10 minute drive)-- this one, another where a biker was killed, and another for a police officer who was killed by a perpetrator. I guess they are fulfilling their purpose: I think of these people every time I pass by.
Post a Comment
<< Home