[Gemini]

Friday
Aug. 03, 2007
7:14 PM

I feel fidgety when there's no music. I mean yeah there are certain places and situations, but apart from those, I feel uncomfortable if there's no music Like right now. No seriously, I feel weird. Am gonna get my earphones.
Ah...shanti

Ektu aage ekta boi porchilam. Bhoutik, rohoshshomoy shob kichur proti amar onek agroho. So naturally, I have many books on these subjects. Mostly non-fiction though. Yes I know that sounds like a paradox. But it's not really the case all the time. Anyways.

There's a cemetary in Savannah, Georgia, USA. Savannah has been dubbed as the most haunted city in America. Too bad I didn't know it the last time I was in Georgia. I was visiting a friend and attending her wedding in Atlanta. Anyways. That cemetary, Bonaventure Cemetary (Bonaventure Historical Society) amazes me. The creepy stories aside, it is a wonderful place. Chokhe na dekhle hoyto bojha/bojhano shombhob nah. Jodiyo ami kokhono jaini, I was googling the cemetary and came across some amazing shots taken by various photographers in flickr. Amr prochondo ichha ache okhane jawar. As an ameteur photographer who loves to shoot cemetaries, it should be my heaven. Plus not to mention that am a sucker for a good, really good ghost story.

Here's one for you, taken right from the book Encyclopedia of Haunted places: Ghostly Locales From Rround the World. (Compiled and edited by Jeff Belanger) -

""America's Most Haunted City," Savannah, Georgia is home to more than its share of ghostly inhabitants. Among the noted hotspots is Bonaventure Cemetary, home of Gracie, the weeping monument, and the "Bird Girl" from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (which btw, I just bought a few days ago. What a coincidence!). The "Bird Girl" statue was recently moved to the museum downtown, because curiosity seekers and vandals would not leave it alone.

This cemetary, with it's moss-covered trees and serene atmosphere, is as frightening as it is beautiful. According to a well-known authority on paranormal phenomena, this site was once a lavish plantation, beautifully landscaped. During a dinner party held at the estate, a fire broke out and the immense mansion burned to the ground. Visitors have since told stories of spirit laughter and the clatter of dinnerware, when no one was actually present to account for the phenomena.

The creepy statue of a small girl named Gracie Watkins allegedly cries during the night within the cemetary. People who visit the grounds often place presents on Gracie's hands, such as money and trinkets. When one of these items is taken out of her hands, it is said that she weeps tears of blood (I actually seen a show on paranormal which had an episode on this. Too bad I couldn't see her weeping though. Nonetheless, Gracie is another reason I wanna go there).

Several other ghosts are also believed to haunt this old cemetary, including a pack of ghost dogs. These spectral hounds have been known to run after visitors, snarling and barking.

Savannah's history shines at this historic landmark, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Many noted and locally influential people such as former mayors, clergy, writers and military officers share this burial ground. In addition, millions visit Bonaventure Cemetary each year just for the sheer beauty of the location."

Here is a photo of the Bird Girl:

http://midnightinsavannah.com/images/whitr2.jpg

And here's Gracie Watkins (photos of Gracie taken by Lucid Nightmare on Flickr)
1. Gracie in Gate on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

2. Gracie and Angel on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

3. Close up of Gracie on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Gracie's Story

4. Gracie Marker on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

And here's some more of Lucid's shots of the cemetary

1. Thinking For Eternity on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

2. Resting on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

3. Weeping on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Enjoy!