The security guard pinched my arm to check I was real. “You’re alive!” he said, half joking, half relieved. Quite casually, he explained that he’s seen ghosts at Recoleta Cemetery, although not everyone believes him. I do.

I was making my usual last-minute dash towards the exit on Wednesday at a few minutes to six – even I wouldn’t want to be left behind after closing time – when I realised the doors were locked and there wasn’t a soul around. The guard appeared, looking perplexed and wanting to know where I’d come from (chatting to Juan Carlos, who works there). It turned out the cemetery had shut early for fumigation.

I’d heard the bells clanging at about quarter past five, but their ‘leave now’ message hadn’t sunk in. As always, I was entranced by what the cemetery had to offer that day – a cloud-scribbled sky captured in the glass doors; sparkling granite bouncing back the image of a lone cross and a skylight; more crosses, lined up in crisp shadows on a wall, ladders in between.

I climbed the couple of steps to check up on this window, which is in my Top 20. The stained glass was spewing daubs of green and amber light on to the wall below. This close-up is still my favourite shot though, with its dark splodges of reflected trees contrasting with the super-bright rays beaming down on Joseph – a bridge between worlds.

I’d only guessed this was Joseph & Jesus, so when I tuned into a passer-by who sounded well-informed, I flagged her down for a second opinion. She made a positive ID. I do like to know who’s in the windows. And I’m sure the security guard likes to know that the visitors he encounters are from this earthly realm.