© irene waters 2015
© irene waters 2015
Known as the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica this cathedral was planned and built between 1863 – 1880 when Vietnam was a French Colony. Its official name is Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. All of the building materials were imported from France. The height of the cathedral to the top of the cross (not featured) on top of the bell towers is 60.5 metres.
On my visit I was overcome with an overwhelming sense of peace when entering the cathedral where a service was in progress. Perhaps it was the simplicity of the ceilings or perhaps it was escaping the reality that waited outside – war wounded beggars suffering amputations and disfigurements from the land mines that had and possibly still are lying in the fields.
War and Peace. If only the world could opt for peace.
In response to Paula’s Black and White Sunday.
About Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
I began my working career as a reluctant potato peeler whilst waiting to commence my training as a student nurse. On completion I worked mainly in intensive care/coronary care; finishing my hospital career as clinical nurse educator in intensive care. A life changing period as a resort owner/manager on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu was followed by recovery time as a farmer at Bucca Wauka. Having discovered I was no farmer and vowing never again to own an animal bigger than myself I took on the Barrington General Store. Here we also ran a five star restaurant. Working the shop of a day 7am - 6pm followed by the restaurant until late was surprisingly more stressful than Tanna. On the sale we decided to retire and renovate our house with the help of a builder friend. Now believing we knew everything about building we set to constructing our own house. Just finished a coal mine decided to set up in our backyard. Definitely time to retire we moved to Queensland. I had been writing a manuscript for some time. In the desire to complete this I enrolled in a post grad certificate in creative Industries which I completed 2013. I followed this by doing a Master of Arts by research graduating in 2017. Now I live to write and write to live.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
The high ceilings and arches, makes it all so beautiful 🙂
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Absolutely.
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Great photos.
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Thanks. Great subject
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Reblogged this on A Call to Witness and commented:
Let us open our Hearts and minds to Peace. Amen.
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Your words put it all into perspective – peace will come when we want its essence more than we want pretty buildings, the homage to an ideal that so many can’t abide.
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Thanks Sharon. I hope it does ….
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Costly construction with a majestic result. Thank you for capturing it, Irene and sharing it with us 🙂
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You’re welcome Paula.
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Amen to that, Irene! 🙂
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Thank you. Maybe one day.
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Pingback: Black & White Sunday: Religious Building | Lost in Translation
If only the world could opt for peace. Beautiful photos.
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One day we hope.
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