Monday, February 23, 2009

Weird

I really don't know what happened here... According to the cross and the window frame on this old building at Oeiras downtown, it had to be a chapel, an altar, or something of the kind, but now it's just a small shop with no interest displaying Carnival costumes for children.
Carnival celebrations have started last saturday and will end tomorrow.

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Just a brief note to congratulate Vikas Swarup on his 'Q&A', a really cool novel, in which 'Slumdog millionaire' was inspired (the movie won 8 Oscars yesterday).

30 comments:

Tess Kincaid said...

We have old church buildings that have been converted into shops. My favorite is a bookstore.

Olivier said...

belle scène, avec ce mélange des couleurs de la maison et des vêtements.

beautiful scene, with the mixture of colors of the house and clothing.

cieldequimper said...

Whatever may have happened, in my mind this used to be a convent. Don't asky why! I like the colours!

Sharon said...

Lots of colors in this shot. It must have had something to do with a church in the past.

Tanya Breese said...

I've seen some old chapels converted into houses, but never a clothing store!

abc said...

It's a nice alternative use of the space, although it's always a little odd when spiritual places are used for more worldly purposes. And as for Mr. Swarup, I guess he probably stands to make a slummy million or so.

Saretta said...

Very strange indeed!

PeterParis said...

A lot of churches and chapels are being transformed! One can just hope that most of the nicest ones will remain in good shape, already for their beauty - and the concerts!

Lois said...

That is different! I like the color on the wall of the building.

escape said...

odd indeed. it might be an abandoned chapel.

i also watched the oscars and enjoyed it.

Babzy.B said...

yes , times are changing !!
I read the novel , and i liked it but i haven't seen the movie yet :)

Marie-Noyale said...

Change of times and beliefs!!!!

Sterl the Pearl's Daily Pics of Boulder said...

how interesting. beautiful shot.

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

Strange re-use of a chapel, indeed. We should remember, however, that as elegant as the Pantheon looks today, and it must have been even more ornate in ancient Rome, in the Middle Ages it was a poultry market.

And the Turks used the Parthenon as a gunpowder magazine storage building, which is why it is partly in ruins today because there was an explosion only a few hundred years ago.

So the re-use of this small chapel as a clothing shop is not without precedent.

Thank you for your response and comment on my site. I am not surprised that we both have the same view of Houston. The Texas tourism authority runs an adverstising campaign in the U.S. to try to entice people to vacation in Texas. Their slogan is: "Texas. It's like a whole other country." I think that there are many people in the U.S. who are rassured and thankful for that! :-)

Nancy said...

I want to go to Carnival some day. Love the colors.

studioJudith said...

Love this image... . such an enigma!

Lowell said...

Fascinating. At first I thought somebody had hung out clothes to dry. In a religious sense, of course.

Judy said...

Nice that they didn't destroy the detail on the building. The color and lighting is outstanding.

Anonymous said...

Is there glass in the window? It doesn't look like it - won't the costumes get wet when it rains?

penny said...

The building has beautiful detail and design. It's nice they didn't change it. Great color too.

Anonymous said...

I also thought those were clothes for air drying...At least, the structure remained. :)

max said...

very strange !! what is it and why??

Debbie Courson Smith said...

That little view of the world certainly doesn't look quite right.

Jerez Sherry said...

looks scared to me!!!

Julie ScottsdaleDailyPhoto.com said...

an interesting re-use of such an historic building with a great look. colors are good also.

Hilda said...

WEIRD is right! This is perfect as an Odd Shot Monday post!

magiceye said...

looks strange

Anonymous said...

Really weird!!! Looks converted and not running.

Joan Elizabeth said...

Churches around here have become homes, antique shops, craft shops and art studios. I love the colours in this photo.

humanobserver said...

yes, it is weird...