La Difunta Correa

I do love a good cemetery. Here, in Latin America they can be especially fine and full interest for the passing traveller. We are zooming past so many that are tantalising me but, as usual on a rally, there is no time to stop. A everywhere in Latin America there are shrines all along the roadside, usually where some poor unfortunate has died. They can be extremely elaborate and are often in great proliferation on a hairpin bend, often without a barrier and a drop into the abyss that leaves nothing between you and eternity. There abundance at these points doesn't always increase caution in drivers though.

One thing that has intrigued me especially are the shrines that are surrounded by bottles of water. These are shrines to La Difunta Correa an unofficial saint in Chile and Argentina. The story is that she was crossing the desert in San Juan Province, which we passed through today, on her way to find her sick husband. She died in the desert heat, but, when her body was found by Gauchos a few days later her baby had survived by suckling at her breast which 'miraculously' kept producing milk.

Although not recognised by the Catholic Church, she has become a popular patron saint among travellers. The roadside shrines to her are everywhere. They can be quite elaborate and are generally full of little artefacts of all descriptions. I even saw a clock in one. But, the most striking feature, is the abundance of bottles of water left all around the shrines to assuage her eternal thirst.

Devout, weary travellers will stop and say a prayer for a safe journey and make an offering at the shrines believing that she will perform miracles for them and also ensure they have a safe journey.

We have all made it safely to Mendoza tonight. Maybe La Difunta Correa is watching over us.