This past summer Greg and I took a month long jaunt to Europe. We swung through Paris – Greg’s first visit. Spent time all over Italy and then swung through Istanbul (which was one of my bucket list items).
The cities we visited were beautiful and we have such an amazing time spending most of our waking moments together – a nonexistent thing when we are home. As a matter of fact, that is how Suitcase Foodist was born – out of our desire to keep that connection when we came home.
Europe is beautiful, but also (let’s face it) macabre. So, in honor of Day of the Dead today we thought we’d share some of our … shall we say morbid, photos.
Paris:
Sepulcher at Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris
I have a thing for old graveyards – and Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris was a surreal dream. We spent hours there just wandering around. Is it morbid to pack a picnic lunch and eat in a cemetery? Probably. Did we do it anyways? Yes.
Family Sepulchers at Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris
So many notables are buried here – from Oscar Wilde to Jim Morrison. Check out the virtual tour.
Glass Sepulcher, bathed in light
Many of the tombs, sepulchers and mausoleums are over a hundred years old. Some are decrepit and moss covered. Others are haunting in their beauty.
The famous gargoyles at Notre Dame
We spent sunset in Paris on our first night and our last night at Notre Dame – as a nice bookend for our trip. Nothing says creepy like a good gargoyle.
Rome:
The Colosseum in Rome at Night
During the day, the Colosseum is swarming with people. At night it is abandoned and eerie.
The Pantheon in Rome at Night
I took this exact same shot at night when I visited Rome 13 years ago with my friend Kate. I had to go back and shoot it again. Just as ethereal then and now.
Twig broom leaning on a wall
We spend a lot of our time when we travel just wandering, getting slightly lost and finding our way again. This was one of our wandering treasures.
Macabre Skeleton on a Church in Rome
Those winged skeletons! Reminding us that our time is short (and then asking for money – see that little slot?). Scariest of all? The strategically placed cloth there over BOTH their laps. What is that skeleton hiding? What if there is a brisk breeze?
Venice:
Bridge of Sighs in Venice
Venice is one of our favorite cities in the world. We’d both been on our own, but it was a dream to go to Venizia together. It is such a magical city, but at night it just turns from magical to unearthly.
Venetian Carnival Mask
Florence:
Beheading at the Academia
I didn’t realize until we got home and I started editing these photos that Greg and I almost got beheaded by a statue wielding a lightsaber at the Academia in Florence. Close call.
Skull in the Academia
Really now! Who plays with skulls besides Hamlet?
Istanbul:
The Basilica Cistern in Istanbul
The old city in Istanbul is centuries ancient and has the remains of Constantinople, Byzantium, Christian, Muslim and Arab cultures with a history that can make the blood curdle. From plagues, sieges, conquests, tortures, loves, and loss – Istanbul is a city with layers – some of them bone chilling.
Take the Basilica Cistern in the heart of the old city. Built to store water in case of a siege it is bigger than a football stadium. The strangest thing? The upside down and sideways Medusa heads at the very back nestled in the dark.
How are you celebrating Day of the Dead?
– Lydia, “Feliz Dia de los Muertos” Martinez
