This morning, Jerry suggested we go for a brisk half-hour walk before breakfast. I was surprised and pleased that it was his idea and not mine. I wondered what magic had come over him. The pleasant walk in the chilly morning air was followed by breakfast in the sunshine at El Sanedrín. I hope we’re going to make a habit of this — the walk, that is; the breakfast is already a habit. Later, after lunch, I went for another walk on my own. This time, I walked for nearly two hours, exploring a bit more of the neighborhood of El Arenal, which ends near the river. On my walk, I came upon what for me are the most elegant door knockers I’ve so far seen. Two highly polished, life-size, bronze hands holding apples. The door is on a busy street and the apples seem to have been permanently — and understandably — affixed to the strike plates to keep passersby from constantly trying them out (I know; I tried). The hands make me think of the Evil Queen from “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” and the poisoned apple that was said to be a magic wishing apple (“one bite and all your dreams will come true”).
After meandering around the city for more than an hour and a half, I decided to take a more direct route home by heading back up Avenida de la Constitución. At the top of the avenue on the edge of Plaza Nueva, which is where so many street performers can be found, I came upon a man who was made up to look like a bronze statue (or maybe he really was made of bronze). His feet were off the ground and he appeared to be supported solely by his cane. Had Jerry been with me, he would have immediately asked, “How does he do that?” The answer is obvious. It’s magic.
Esta mañana, Jerry sugirió que diéramos un paseo rápido de media hora antes del desayuno. Me sorprendió y me alegró que fuera idea suya y no mía. Me preguntaba qué magia se habría apoderado de él. Al agradable paseo bajo el fresco aire matutino le siguió un desayuno bajo el sol en El Sanedrín. Espero que se nos haga un hábito, es decir, el paseo; el desayuno ya es un hábito. Más tarde, después de comer, di otro paseo solo. Esta vez, caminé durante casi dos horas, explorando un poco más el barrio de El Arenal, que termina cerca del río. En mi paseo, me encontré con lo que para mí son los aldabas más elegantes que he visto hasta ahora. Dos manos de bronce, pulidas a tamaño natural, que sostenían manzanas. La puerta da a una calle concurrida y las manzanas parecen haber estado fijadas de forma permanente, y comprensible, a las placas de la cerradura para evitar que los transeúntes las probaran constantemente (lo sé; yo lo intenté). Las manos me hacen pensar en la Reina Malvada de “Blancanieves” y la manzana envenenada que se decía que era una manzana mágica de los deseos (“un mordisco y todos tus sueños se harán realidad”).
Después de deambular por la ciudad durante más de una hora y media, decidí tomar una ruta más directa a casa, volviendo por la Avenida de la Constitución. Al final de la avenida, junto a la Plaza Nueva, donde se encuentran tantos artistas callejeros, me encontré con un hombre maquillado para parecer una estatua de bronce (o quizás realmente era de bronce). Sus pies no tocaban el suelo y parecía apoyarse únicamente en su bastón. Si Jerry hubiera estado conmigo, habría preguntado enseguida: “¿Cómo lo hace?” La respuesta es obvia: es magia.
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| I LOVE THE WAY THE WRISTS APPEAR FROM WITHIN CUFFED SLEEVES. |
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| I’M SURE IT’S AN ENCHANTED CANE. |
Never thought I'd ever hear myself say this, but, um, "Nice knockers."
Bob:
LOL! Check out the hyperlink within this post. It takes you back to a post from August by that exact name. Nice knockers indeed!
Must be magic, Jerry is right! And somewhere there's a little seat hidden within that suit with a midget in it… or something like that.
Peter:
I hate watching magic shows with Jerry. He constantly asks, "How did he do that? How did he do that?" My terse response is always, "It's magic, Jerry!" So, it's magic, Peter!
I would love to know how he does that. And I really enjoy seeing all the door knockers, we don't see stuff like that here in Arizona.
Scott
Scott:
It's done with rebar… and magic.
You really do live in a magical city!
Judith:
That's exactly what I'm saying!
Which reminds me what the wicked witch said to Snow White: "I want you to take a bite out of this fruit" so, naturally, Snow white bit her.
Or what Butterfly McQueen said to Scarlett O'Hara on the stairs when the baby was about to pop out: "Mz Scarlett, Mz Scarlett, I dunno 'nothin 'bout birthin' babies…I is a lesbian.
Saludos,
raulito
Raulito:
I'll have to re-watch both those classics. Can't believe I missed that!
Great way to start the day! Really lovely door…furniture!
those hands look a little pervy mitch x
John:
Well, now that you mention it…
Elaine:
Tuesday morning starts with Lola. Maybe another walk Wednesday morning. I really want that door!
Wow! Those are the best knockers I've ever seen! Mr. Bronze looks like a real statue! We saw one of 'these' in P'town this past summer….he was a soldier and stood there for hours on end!
Sounded like a great walk you had Mitchell. Now don't forget that walk every day BEFORE breakfast! Ron said this the other morning….that we could be doing this. Why we don't? Guilty, your honour!
Jim:
But you guys have Sophie to get you out and moving every day.
I love the knockers. You DID notice that not only does the guy I photographed look like a real statue, but his feet are not on the ground. That's really the best part.
I keep staring at the feet…aaargh….Jerry help me !
Ron:
It's magic!
What knockers!
I would think they would be a nusiance, with so many people tempted to bang'em!
Absolutely. Clearly that's why they've got them permanently affixed. No more knocking.
I want those knockers! Never seen a levitating human statue before and it looks amazing. You find the funniest things over there 🙂
Jeff:
I wonder if we'll ever run out of funny things to find. (And I want those knockers, too.)