This cool crisp sunny morning on the 2nd day of a new year is perfect day to visit El Tiradito aka the Wishing Shrine.I am not Catholic, nor do I believe in wishing. However, I do believe in new beginnings and second chances.
This shrine happens to be the only Catholic shrine where a sinner is buried in unconsecrated ground. Appropriate place for a visit reflecting on last year’s f’ups & hopes for next year.
It’s history is a classic tale of a love triangle.
All of that seems lost with the flickering saintly candles & memorial objects. Our shared pain is here in this place.
Our sins exposed like the ruined adobe wall holding little bits of paper, our wishes.
My wish is here too. It is a symbol of what breaks my heart leaving it here for a higher power to handle when I can’t anymore.
My favorite story about this shrine is that it’s presence stopped a highway from cutting through this old part of town. Thank you Juan Oliveras for your unknown contribution to the preservation of Tucson over 140 years ago. Just shows you that even sinners make a difference.
Exploring further and one finds out that Tucson had a wonderful lakeside resort here in the 1800’s. Check out the picture below.
Hard to imagine now while we struggle for decent ground water. Lush and green many people enjoyed this area for health & entertainment. Now the area is dry as can be. Little touches everywhere.
The neighborhood was renamed Elyasian and this historic market remains as someone’s home.
Continuing on through the neighborhood there were a lot of interesting textures.
This is the theater located off a side street.
I am grateful for this part of Tucson. The Old Pueblo. Grateful for this beautiful day to walk in the sunshine around this old neighborhood. Celebrating the new year by exploring the past. Acknowledging that we are just traveling through and life changes in an instant.
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