Thursday Doors, 26/3/20: Quarantine doors

• Manja Maksimovič

Italy is serious about its quarantine. Luckily I have a dog so I can stroll at least a little without being sent home by the police. Today’s doors have been my only ones for a month.

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The first two photos in the gallery are from today, taken through my window. It was raining all day with freezing wind and it was colder than in Helsinki. When I came home from the walk, I felt as if I were skiing.

The five further photos were taken in the past month. I went nowhere with the car all month and was only walking the dog for about 500 m either left or right from my home. A police car passed me only twice, but I feel as if a bomb would explode if I went any farther. In a way it might.

The rest are from previous years but all feature the doors and gates that I’ve been seeing for the last seven years, but especially now, on the daily basis. Frankly, I’m a bit fed up with them. And yet, I cannot stress enough how lucky we are to be as removed and remote.

Now, in the photos, I see again how pretty it is here. I knew that but the isolation messes with your head. And it can’t rain all the time.

Before I show you the doors, Sandy has heard of a new word: door-trait. What does it mean? Apparently people have started to pose for photographers through their doors and windows. Hence, a doorway portrait or a door-trait. Have a look. Welcome to the quarantine.

  • I told my sister that my window is wet from horizontal rain and she said: Take a photo. I’m glad I did. This is what happened, without any filters.
  • One more, so that you can see our gate and that I wear my heart on my windowsill.
  • One of the gates by the main road.
  • And another. They used to have horses in this field. I miss them.
  • Behind this gate live three or so white Maremma shepherd dogs. They are huge and know a way out. I always hope they won’t appear, even though bestia is one quarter (or so) the same breed.
  • Some units in our condominium have a detached garden like this one. Ours doesn’t.
  • Only my neighbour the donkey knows what is hidden in here.
  • And here start old photos. This is the donkey garden in October.
  • I don’t have this gate in full in any photo. I’ve searched. I like the colours.
  • The most peculiar gate around here.
  • This one leads to a private soccer field. I’ve only seen it occupied twice in seven years when there was a party in progress.
  • Just a little garden gate.
  • Another neighbour has a huge field behind this gate. Sometimes I wish he would let bestia run there. He can’t run freely anywhere now.
  • Another inviting garden where I can’t go. This gap looks huge but it’s a photo trick.
  • These two community postboxes are supposed to be shared by all 95 units. All regular mail gathers here. The postman only rings the bell if there is a special delivery.
  • Whereas these are electricity cabinets.
  • Some units have gates that stand out.
  • Red.
  • This is the disused building opposite and the sky in November.
  • And this was the last time sis was visiting. I miss my people.

For Norm Frampton’s Thursday Doors challenge

50 thoughts on “Thursday Doors, 26/3/20: Quarantine doors”

  1. I have a question. What do your neighbors do with the donkey? Is he a pet or a working or a transport donkey? I can only imagine them in old movies prospecting for gold or hauling stones in rock quarries, both of which doesn’t seem to jive with my mental image of Italy.

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    1. Hm… well… I’ve seen “asino” on the menus in Tuscany so I wouldn’t be surprised… Since I arrived here seven years ago, this is the third, I think. Hard to tell them apart. I don’t think it’s a working animal. He has lots of space and is happy and when the owner arrives (he doesn’t live there) the donkey jumps from joy like a puppy.

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      1. I did not expect you to say that. But I looked it up and see that equine (sounds better) is eaten in Italy and China. Supposedly healthy and a good source of iron. 😦
        Sorry I asked Bushboy.

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      2. Well, equine is horse meat. In Slovenia we eat horse too. We have a popular Horseburger chain. But asino, that is donkey, I have never eaten. Now, I know what in some parts of Asia eat (DON’T SAY IT ALOUD). I suppose the world has plenty of double standards.

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    1. I’ve seen a police car driving behind a cyclist to make sure he goes straight home. Every time amore goes to buy groceries, he is stopped and interrogated. If I walked a bit farther, I’d reach the town and the police would be there. It’s good how it is.

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  7. You make me laugh (as usual) because I tried to picture you spying though all these fences of people’s gardens you can’t go in. That “peculiar” door – are there some parts/connections broken or missing? Love both of the rainy views, and the one where you miss the horses. Still a substantial amount of doors Manja! Hope for you that this pandemic is over soon. To live in town or the city is depressing during this time, and have decided I’m going to avoid going there till this whole thing is over. My guess is you are not working – hope you have food to eat?

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    1. It’s all good, Jesh, thank you. Oh yes, we have food. Out little unit is perfectly located in the middle of nowhere, there is no alarm clock, we could get used to it. I just must not think about what happens elsewhere, including the USA. I’m glad I make you laugh. This capitalism and private fields – I’ll never get used to it. 😀

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  8. It’s funny (not funny! 😦 ) how the weather affects your mood. I felt depressed last week when it was raining here. In addition to isolation it was just too much, even though I know we desperately need the rain. I love the way your opening photo slides up. Such a nice feature- I’m impressed every time. 🙂 🙂 Stay fit and positive, Manja!

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    1. Thanks, Jo. Right, the rain makes it worse. Here it’s finally lightening up, the sun is about to win. And then we’ll go straight to summer as it goes around here. This feature was a nice surprise by WordPress. I don’t think I have seen any other blogger use it. The staying fit part made me giggle here from my standard position behind the screen with my feet up. Positive it will be though. Be well!

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  10. The rainy views are lovely in spite of making you feel cold and boxed in.

    Everyday I keep listening for news that Italy has finally started to turn the corner on this massive tragedy playing out right now … and my heart sinks a little more at the latest stats. I have family in the south near Cosenza and I hope they are well. I have no Italian and their English is limited, so it’s hard for me to poke deeply.

    Stay well, Manja.

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    1. Oh Joanne, I do as well, hope for the turnaround. No such thing yet, it seems. I’m sorry you can’t really talk with your family. If we can help with some translation, just say so. And be well. The sun is just about to win here finally. And then we’ll go straight to summer.

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  14. Wonderful shots despite the solemn mood. Looks like you had some serious rain. We humans are social animals – hopefully we can all be with our people again soon.
    Take care my friend 🙂

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    1. Thank you, Norm. Luckily, the two humans in our pack are really not as social as all the socialising on my blog would make one think. This way suffices. But still, my people are far. The sun is just about to win over here. And then it will get hot in no time. All well to both of you too and eat some snow for me. 😀

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  16. I like the gate at the main road. Really a lovely shot. So far, the county I live in has fewer identified cases than the surrounding counties so we all hunkered down hoping it stays that way. Take care and don’t get arrested!

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    1. Hunkering down is just the thing. I hope it stays this way over there. Be well, Jan, and thanks! (I have never been arrested in my life. I talk my way out of things. 😀 Maybe it won’t work in Italy though…)

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