Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Invalids' Alley


As you can see, there's a way out at the end so it's not an alley anymore but the name of this very old narrow passageway at Cascais was kept the same.

P.S. According to Dave's comment (thank you, Dave!) this is called alley in the USA. In Portugal the word beco means a street with no exit, otherwise we call it travessa (lane).

18 comments:

Lucy Corrander Now in Halifax! said...

Would love to visit such a place.

Arija said...

I love these historic back alleys that are shortcuts for the locals but a little frightening at dusk when you are
only visiting.

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

It is an alley. In the USA the term "alley" is commonly used for narrow passageways that go through the city blocks for access to the rear of businesses or houses. They are not marked as city streets, but they usually go through the entire city blocks.

In the older sections of Phoenix, many of the city blocks have alleys that run all the way though the middle of them. The alleys are used for the garbage trucks to go down and pick up the trash from the trash cans, which are kept in the alleys and not on the streets.

The alleys can present a security risk. They do not have street lights, so hey are dark at night. Burglars can use them to sneak into and out of back yards.

orvokki said...

Wonderfull old rosa-color "alley", and the foto is perfect.

Unknown said...

@Dave: Thank you! Actually I remember quite well the alleys in some neighbourhoods of New York and they are a must in thriller movies! :-) In Portugal the word 'beco' means a passageway with no exit. If there is a way out we call it 'travessa'(lane).

Sharon said...

These are the types of places I'm drawn to when I travel. The small lanes that most tourists never see.

Sylvia K said...

I agree with Sharon, I'm drawn to the same types of places. Always makes me want to write a mystery!! Hope your week is going well, JM!

TexWisGirl said...

an interesting scene. yes, our alleys do lead out.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

We call them lanes here also JM, love this one with it's rickety paving!

Unknown said...

very interesting pink alley...

Photo Cache said...

yes in the philippines also alley is narrow street that opens on both ends.

this is very well maintained alley. i wonder about the name though.

Kay said...

I've seen more alleys that serve as service passageways in
Washington state, often in residential areas. Trash collectors come through and often it provides access to garages.

RedPat said...

We call them laneways here in Toronto although some places in Canada call them alleys.Most of the time they provide access to garages in residential areas and to loading doors in the commercial. They are my favourite places to wander about looking for murals and street art. This one looks wonderful.

Anonymous said...

love those narrow streets! this one is so pinky. funny that graffiti-head!
greetings

LOLfromPasa said...

It is a great photo no matter what you call this rather inviting passageway :).

cieldequimper said...

Now is that graffiti an invalid? Love the sign!

VP said...

Curious name, great perspective!

Anonymous said...

How very beautiful. I do love Moorish architecture.