We are fast approaching El dio de los Muertos or the Day of the Dead, an indigenous Mexican holiday which is celebrated around November 1st and 2nd. Although Nov.1st and 2nd nicely corresponds with the Catholic holy days of All Saints and All Souls, this celebration to honor dead relatives goes back thousands of years to Aztec times. My fascination with The Day of The Dead began years ago during trips to Mexico and some parts of Southern California where there is much ado for this holiday and I can tell you it's far from macabre. Food and upbeat celebrations are common ways to observe the holiday. My interest with El Dia de los Muertos dovetails with the draw I've often felt toward very old cemeteries and not just to visit long-dead relatives. Old cemeteries are places where ironically enough, history comes alive and the park-like settings can be beautiful and peaceful places in which to take a walk. Often when I travel, one of my stops might be to the area's oldest cemetery. I've learned a lot about places this way. The Hingham cemetery (circa 1672) is definitely a great destination to get insight on life back in 17th, 18th and 19th century New England. It sits on a pretty piece of land behind Old Ship Church. The early Massachusetts settlersof the 1600s placed their burial grounds behind their church meeting houses just as it was done here. Visiting this cemetery is an opportunity to view history from a different angle as there is much to be gleaned from the style, shape, and design of the various headstones, which differ depending on the era they were made. They are true works of art unto themselves. The family names, dates and words carved into the headstones can also tell a story about the underground inhabitants. There are a number of "notable" people buried here including two Massachusetts governors. One of them is John Andrew, the 25th governor who served during the time of the Civil War. The 16 acres of grounds are pristine with small undulating hills and easy walking paths. As you wander, you will note there are over 20 examples of trees including, one of my favorites, the copper beech. There are official tours offered here from time to time that are well-worth the suggested $5.00 donation. Your leashed dogs are more than welcome. The cemetery grounds have a couple of dog-poop bag dispensers provided for your convenience. The grounds make for a most pleasant walk on top of providing wonderful New England history lessons free of charge. read more