When I was in Washington DC I discovered a beautiful little monastery hiding in the Brookland neighbourhood. The secrets of the interior are the subject of my post Catacombs and Old Byzantium I, but the grounds of this beautiful monastery were equally captivating. It was ablaze with colour, flowers bursting out everywhere, and graceful arches surrounding the carefully manicured gardens.
As I wandered along the winding pathways and covered arches, I noticed girls in brightly coloured dresses wafting across the lawns. The first group I saw looked for all the world like a wedding party.
However, as more and more groups appeared in their dazzling finery, I began to suspect there was something different going on. After a few conversations, I discovered that I was witnessing the centuries-old Latin American tradition of Quinceañera, a coming-of-age celebration, sometimes referred to as Sweet 15. Resembling a cross between the casual Sweet 16 and the more formal Debutantes’ Ball; the celebration usually includes a religious ceremony, a dance and a feast. The grounds of the monastery provided the perfect setting for each Quinceañera and her court to have their photographs taken.
Tradition is an integral part of any culture. The word comes from the Latin traditio, and means to transmit or hand over for safekeeping. It is something handed down from generation to generation, and can be a ritual, a holiday, socially meaningful clothes, even an object. Traditions can be widespread throughout a country or specific to just one family, and I thought it might make a fascinating travel theme.
What is your interpretation of tradition? If you’d like to join in, create your own post, title it “Travel theme: tradition” and put a link to this page in your blog post to make it easy for others to find your post. Don’t forget to check back in next Friday for a new travel theme.
What does tradition mean to you?
xxx Ailsa
Where's my backpack? 
There colorful formal dresses and a festive feel to the event. I’m drinking in the tradition: http://canoecommunications.wordpress.com/2012/07/23/drink-it-in/
I raise my cup of Fair Trade Mocha Java Non Fat Half Caf to you, c & c.
Perfect spot for a Quince. They do look like flowers. You were lucky to be there at the same time.
Love the corridors and architecture
Oh phil, if you ever get a chance to visit, take it – it’s quite the most extraordinary place – check out the post after this one which gives more info on the monastery.
Pingback: Travel Theme-TRADITION: Christmas in July « Pictures in living color
lovely pictures – especially of the covered walk/arc. Thanks to your post –
learned about this coming-of-age tradition. Here is my contribution – Fiesta! http://mywordwall.wordpress.com/2012/07/24/travel-theme-tradition/
I love so many things about your post, Imelda – the image of neighbouring villagers arriving over armed with their own utensils to help prepare for the feast, you falling asleep to the rhythm of knives on the chopping blocks, and the idea that the two Parish Saints are still looking out for each other. I felt like I was experiencing the Fiesta through your eyes – really stellar writing! xxx
Pingback: TRAVEL THEME: TRADITION « mywordwall
Pingback: Back to the Future: An Evening at the Medieval Market « East of Málaga
Hi Ailsa
Great theme this week. It´s always lovely to look at everyone´s interpretations. Here´s mine:
http://eastofmalaga.wordpress.com/2012/07/24/back-to-the-future-an-evening-at-the-medieval-market/
Really enjoyed your post, Marianne. I always get caught up in the romance of medieval festivals (although in reality I suspect medieval times were rather less romantic and rather more grimy and lice-ridden!) 🙂
Pingback: Dusshera, Tradition and Collecting Idols | perceptionsofareluctanthomemaker
Lovely Pics. Its nice to know about other traditions. Here’s my entry (coupled with other themes!)
http://perceptionsofareluctanthomemaker.wordpress.com/2012/07/24/dusshera-tradition-and-collecting-idols/
Wonderful post, Deepa. I’m so glad you joined in the travel theme this week – I just got an education in Dusshera from you. Your Golu collection, and your sister’s, are stunning. xxx
Here is a traditional event I went to recently – http://thegingerbreadcafe.wordpress.com/2012/07/24/travel-theme-tradition
Ooh, I love it, you can’t beat a good old battle between Yorks and Lancs. My mum’s from Leeds, so you can probably guess which side I’m bound to support. 😉
Pingback: Travel Theme: Tradition | The Retiring Sort
Fun theme, Ailsa! I love your photos and all the color in the Quinceañera dresses! Here’s my entry – hopefully better late than never! http://theretiringsort.com/2012/07/24/travel-theme-tradition/
What a great idea. I may have to hold my very own soup day. Those plates are wonderful, although when I looked at your photo my first thought was gosh, who’s going to do the washing up, there are so many bowls!
We ordered the bowls in bulk from a restaurant supply place – there are lots to wash, but lots of people to help!
Better late than never, my Tradition entry:
http://ronmayhewphotography.wordpress.com/2012/07/24/travel-theme-tradition-durga-puja-kolkata-india/
I love the purely human moments you have captured here, Ron. Spectacular shots. xxx
Great theme, Ailsa! I am thinking of something, playing around with ideas about trafitional English gardening, but I may be late (I’ll have to scan the pictures first, because I work with – well – traditional b&w film). However: This post is food for thought, and I thank you for that!
It’s never too late, tms, and I would love to see a post about traditional English gardening. Get scanning! 🙂
Pingback: Travel theme – tradition (Swedish Midsummer celebration) | One step at a time
Hi Ailsa, it is a bit late but hopefully my post will make you (or others) come to Sweden soon 🙂 enjoy!
http://demaodyssey.com/2012/07/25/travel-theme-tradition-swedish-midsummer-celebration/
What a glorious Midsummer celebration, Dema. That photo of the little children is too adorable for words. I think I’m going to make my own midsummer crown, they look so lovely. xxx
You should dear 🙂 and please let me see your creation 🙂 xxx
Ha ha, I’m sure it won’t look as good as any of these. xxx
Pingback: Travel Theme: Tradition | mothergrogan
Very beautiful post, Ailsa. Thanks!
So glad you enjoyed it, Sunshine, those girls looked so pretty with their stunning dresses.
I agree!
What a colorful ceremony. I witnessed the same in Sam Houston Garden, Texas.
My post on http://travtrails.wordpress.com
Beautiful, Indra, it doesn’t get much more traditional than royal horse-drawn carriages!
Pingback: Travel theme: Tradition (under the Tuscan Sun) | Anotherdayinparadise2's Blog
Sorry my post is so late, Ailsa, Here is my contribution:
http://adinparadise.wordpress.com/2012/07/26/travel-theme-tradition-under-the-tuscan-sun/
Oooh I just love the film Under the Tuscan Sun (isn’t Diane Lane marvellous?) I was very happy to see the gelato resurrected – the raspberry rosemary sounds heavenly! San Gimignano looks beautiful and I love that you caught a Punch & Judy show. Haven’t seen one of those in the longest time. Fabulous post! xxx
It’s late but it’s here: http://empireoflights.com/2012/07/28/alfriston/
I really enjoyed this theme! Thanks, Ailsa.
I loved your photos, tms – I never think of photographing flowers in black and white and yet it produces the most extraordinary images if done well. I love them all, but that second photo of the flowers by the step is stunning. xx
Pingback: Alfriston Clergy House Gardens | Empire of Lights
Pingback: Where’s My Backpack Challenge: Tradition « Found Round & About
Hope you enjoy my contribution!
http://foundroundandabout.com/2012/08/18/wheres-my-backpack-challenge-tradition/
Pingback: the franciscan monastery in washington: gardens & shrines | catbird in america