Monday, October 25, 2010

Graveyard Picnic

We went to the cemetery yesterday and had a picnic (that's totally normal here in the Philippines). It was Mark's grandmother's birthday last Friday, so some of the Gozes decided to get together at her grave and commemorate it. It was a nice day for a picnic too although it looked like rain before lunch. After church, we went home to change and then quickly headed to the cemetery, which is in Marikina, about 2 miles away (as the crow flies) from our house.

I actually took pictures of epitaphs that interested me, but I can't access those pictures just yet (dead batteries, moody card reader... I'll spare you the boring details... All photo credits go to my SIL Christine). There were also several toads. There were lots of birds, but I'm too slow to take pictures. Sparrows and swiftlets galore. I saw a yellow and black bird. It seemed smaller than the orioles we had a lot of in our backyard in Subic. We did see many of those black birds with two white spots on the underside of each wing. Anybody know what I'm talking about?

Here's Marguerite, looking quite sun-kissed:


Following a toad as it hopped into a hole in the tree base:


Group picture -- we actually have decent ones, but I thought this was more interesting. That's my husband carrying our baby nephew on the side of his neck. Don't ask me. I had no idea what he was up to or I would totally have gone "Muuuuuuuuuuuhrk!" Incidentally, no babies were hurt in the shooting of this photo:

5 comments:

The Kano said...

Loved the family photos. My wife and all the relatives will be heading out soon, as you know, to the cemeteries for the upcoming All Souls Day's remembrances. Everybody brings lots of food.

Anonymous said...

I just can't get over that group picture.. I'm still laughing up to now!

joi

spinninglovelydays said...

@Dave: Reunion time once again in the Philippines :)

@Joi: That gooner uncle! Matt was so ramrod straight, you'd think he was a doll, lol

KyFrugalista said...

I love learning about different cultures and their customs. I like visiting cemeteries and viewing the old tombstones especially in my family's cemetery but I can't say that I've ever been to a picnic at a cemetery. I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with it but the differences between cultures and countries is fascinating to me...I love it.

Thanks for visiting my blog by the way and for following. I am following your blog as well. Have a great week!!!

spinninglovelydays said...

Thanks for following! The cemeteries over here will get really festive in a few days for All Saints and All Souls Days. :)