
Sometimes it’s easy to forget that our lives will soon become history. And that the lives of people, no matter how imperfect, create a rich, varied tapestry that reaches centuries back in time, and forward into the future.
Young and old–representatives from several generations–came together this weekend in San Diego to again celebrate the Festival of the Bells. The annual event is held at Mission San Diego de Alcalá, the first Spanish mission to be built in California. Food, song and dancing accompanied colorful religious rituals such as the Blessing of the Bells and the Blessing of the Animals. Everyone was welcome to enjoy the free festival.
The original San Diego del Alcala was founded in 1769–almost 250 years ago–at the site of the old Spanish presidio, near the edge of San Diego Bay. The current mission building was erected by Father Serra in 1774, a few miles up the San Diego River where the land was more fertile.
The distinctive facade and bells of this historical landmark are often used as a symbol for our city, and the ringing of the bells are like echoes from a complex, often strife-filled, but fascinating past. The youngest generation, seeing this old world with fresh, optimistic eyes, jumping free and loving life in the festival’s bounce house, will remember today decades in the future as just another small moment in the journey of history. Hopefully that memory is good.










The campanario is 46 feet high and holds the Mission bells. The crown-topped bell on the lower right is named Ave Maria Purisima–Immaculate Mary. It weights 805 pounds and was cast in 1802 . . . The bells played an important role in the everyday life of the Mission . . . They were used to announce times for Mass, work, meals and siestas. The bells signaled danger, rang solemnly to honor the dead, and pealed joyously to celebrate feast days, weddings and fiestas.

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San Diego is an endlessly interesting place! You can enjoy photos from many varied walks by following on Facebook or Twitter.
Richard, where do you find out about all these cool things?
We went to IB today to see the sculptures, but they had washed down quite a bit.
I do enjoy your blog – learning a lot about all the cool stuff that happens!
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I have a number of San Diego website event calendars bookmarked. Some discoveries are made watching local news; others are made just as I walk about randomly! And I still miss lots of interesting stuff. Only so much time and energy!
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You haven’t figured out how to do it all yet? Slacker. 😉 (I kid)
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Perhaps if I had a time machine…
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I would let you borrow mine, but it is broken. 😦
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The only direction I seem to time travel is forward…
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That is not a bad thing, Richard. 🙂
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I love the fact that you capture what most of us San Diegans some times take for granted.. thank you so much! I truly enjoy your blog!
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Thanks Yami! By doing this blog, I’ve focused on lots of stuff that I personally would have missed or taken for granted!
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