cemetery

Found a cemetery this morning.  Always woundered why there was this large flower market on the corner of a side street off Chevchevousi street.  Figured there had to be a wealthy community back there, so I decided to find out.  When running you can go most anywhere and they just shake their head in amusement.  As I followed the road past the flowers I saw strange looking blocks of cement on the hillside in the distance.  Thought it was either ruins or a cemetery; but I couldn't find a road up.  So I just headed in the general direction; through an active construction site, back and forth up a switchback that didn't appear traveled on, and over a rubble heap.  As I looked up (yes everything seemed up on this trip) I saw an elderly lady walking between the blocks.  Eurika!  It was a cemetery and there definately was another way in.  By the time I got to what I thought would be the first masoleums I had a fantastic view of the city below. 

The cement blocks were actually open on top and held small gardens on top of graves.  Since the hills are limestone I am presuming the burial is above the rock and the grave built up over the casket.  In the gardens there were perpetual lights, dying bouquets of flowers, pictures of loved ones (none seemed to have died of old age), roses-marigolds-fig trees-olive trees- moss roses-yarrow and other flowers growing that I do not know.  Crosses of all discriptions were placed inside the squares.  The most common, and most unique, is a cross that looks like two branches wrapped in place with a cord; but the arms bend downward so the cross takes on the appearance of an arrow shooting towards Heaven.

As I came around a bend in the road the church bells started to toll.  One would think to start services but I think to tell the people to start coming as people started climbing the road with their scarves and hats in hand, but not in any big hurry.  As I looked around I saw the graves stretching for a mile in front of me and and far up over me.  I will explore up there the next time as I found an easier entrance to the place and no one chased me out.  I will have to pack water and food for that hike.