Home Again Home Again Jiggity Jig

Oh it's good to be home in our own little nest!!!! No matter how wonderful and this was one of those really wonderful vacations there really is "No place like home" (as Dorothy would say) We stayed in two amazing B&Bs Both in old colonial homes. Both were built in the late 1700s. We ate delicious regional specialties. We saw & (Pattie) bought awesome art work. God love LW cuz he managed to get it all packed in the Yellow Submarine and home without any whining or one bit of damage!! I am a very lucky girl!!! I'm sure there were plenty of not so nice words used when I wasn't within ear shot! :) But best of all we met some remarkable people, found them to be kindred spirits and incredible new friends!!!

I have tons of pictures to share over the next few postings, but tonight I thought I'd show you a few of the fascinating doors we saw. All are over 100 years old, some way over 200 years and some over 300. All are hand made and carved.

These are a set of side doors of a Catholic church in the little town of Patzcuaro. This was the church built for the "Spanish" settlers. Those are all huge decorative brass nail heads

Both the large doors and the smaller "man doors" open. The large doors were used when large processions were taken in and out for special church celebrations. They were also used to intimidate the indigenous people with the power of the "one true God" The "man doors" were even made a mite on the small side to remind humans how small there are in the presence of God. A Spanish soldier would even have to bend and turn sideways to fit through many of the doors when he was wearing his armor.

The doors on this church are much simpler, with no expensive brass or wood. These doors are on the church that was built for the indigenous to worship in.

Aren't these parkay floors amazing??? You can actually feel and see the indentations that many feet have worn over the last 300+ years. These are also in the indigenous' church. In the Spanish one the floors are beautiful carved stone.

These are doors at the hospital. It was built as an extension to the indigenous church. There is a small chapel in the hospital for the hospitalized soldier or family. When they were well enough to walk they would walk across the street to "their" church for mass.

These doors open to private areas for the priests' use. See how there are shuttered and barred windows in the "man" doors?

Doors to the inner court yard of a large home. The street doors always opened into the court yard. The house is built around the court yard with all the rooms opening on to it. Often the kitchen sat in a wing by itself and the wall facing the yard was completely open.

Another set of house doors on a much younger house. This one was built in the mid 1800s see the Moorish influence in the plaster work below the balconies??

Now these are a couple of my favorite doors. Plain old every day doors opening on to a workshop or place of business.

But oh my gosh look at the different layers of paint used over many many years!!

Layers of peeling paint colors, chalking because of years exposed to the sun. Chipped wood, patched in places, it's patina heaven I tell ya!!!

Soooo I bet you can't tell that I have a real fascination not to mention love for old doors?? The things they have seen and the stories they can tell, how could you not love them??

More vacation pictures in another post or two. I promise to give you a warning. Everyone's tolerance level is different, especially with vacation,baby.& pet pictures :)

Have an audacious art filled day no matter where in the world you are.  p;)