Punta Arenas, which translates as Sandy Point, lies at the western edge of the Magellan Strait. It is a bustling town of about 35000 people, a mixture of many nationalities, including many Croatians and Italians and NO indigenous people. The area was inhabited by two large loosely organized bands, one hunters, the other fishermen. They got along pretty well, sharing whatever they had, until the European explorers arrived bringing European diseases. Since they were used to sharing, they felt that the pretty boats pulled up on shore were OK to take and use. The Europeans saw matters quite differently, which lead to bloody clashes. By the 20th century only one pure blood native named Indiecito was left. A monument to him stands among the graves of the wealthy in Sarah Brawn Cemetery. Touching the hand of the stature is said to grant special favors, and many people have posted thank you notes.
The cemetery itself was given to the city by a wealthy sheep rancher, Sara Brawn. When economic times were bad, most of the wealthy moved on, but she stayed. When she died her coffin entered through the main gate which was then sealed.
Some of the monuments are quite elaborate, often for a whole family or an organization. The whole area goes on for blocks along "streets" lined by these tall trimmed trees. At least the city is supposed to trim them, but it was still a work in progress.
Farther from the entrance monuments are smaller until, at the boundary wall, there are more traditional, according to our way of thinking, niches.
Again, one opening may hold any family members, or just one, as in the case of this baby.
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| Glass enclosures hold items relating to the deceased. |
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| The casino (far right) and an ultra modern hotel to support it. |
The rest of the town is a mixture of old and new with a special emphasis on bright roofs.
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