Thursday, April 28, 2011

Toc! Toc!


Toc! Toc! Qui est-là?

The massive doors of Paris, closed to the outsider, the stranger. present a mystery. Without a key or a secret code for entry, the stories inside remain hidden.

While walking the streets, camera at the ready, I got very close to the dark wooden door to photograph the ornate hardware. On about the third click of the camera, the door opened inward suddenly... I do not know who gasped first, but I almost fell on him and he nearly stepped into me. I quickly withdrew and then we both laughed at the surprise. (Whew)
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41 comments:

  1. Sylvia KApril 28, 2011 at 2:04 AM

    Oh, what a fun post and a great capture, Genie! I love it! Glad you both laughed! Hope your week is going well! Enjoy!

    Sylvia

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  2. martinealisonApril 28, 2011 at 2:04 AM

    Je remarque un oeil de boeuf sur ta porte... j'aurais bien aimé être là avec toi pour rire de ça... Bisous

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  3. KarenaApril 28, 2011 at 2:22 AM

    Gorgeous Genie I love unique doors and hardware!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  4. jbApril 28, 2011 at 2:40 AM

    Lilac!

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  5. AnonymousApril 28, 2011 at 3:35 AM

    J'imagine bien votre surprise de chacun. Mais sais-tu comment s'appelle cet ustensile qui sert à frapper la porte?
    ....
    ....
    Un heurtoir!


    http://richardmoisan.blogspot.com/

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  6. beau gosseApril 28, 2011 at 4:17 AM

    Beautiful, Genie! I spied the peep hole also! Glad you didn't get bowled over! =)

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  7. This is BelgiumApril 28, 2011 at 4:52 AM

    Ha Ha ! wish you had taken the picture of the man also to math him to the house behind the door but also to show us his surprise at seeing you in action !
    beautiful 'heurtoir' !

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  8. AnonymousApril 28, 2011 at 5:29 AM

    Oh genie, what a fantastic door! I would love to see what is behind it and you did even if it was by accident - how funny x

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  9. DianneApril 28, 2011 at 6:01 AM

    Toc toc indeed! Now was he a handsome French Monsieur ou non?

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  10. Deborah LawrensonApril 28, 2011 at 6:17 AM

    But you don't get photos like yours without curiosity...!

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  11. JenniferApril 28, 2011 at 7:18 AM

    I've been surprised like that before too. Happy to hear that you both got a good laugh out of it. :)

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  12. Samantha VérantApril 28, 2011 at 7:23 AM

    This going to sound odd, but I love knockers! (And doors)

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  13. MalyssApril 28, 2011 at 7:49 AM

    Mysteries behind doors.. sometimes bad surprises, sometimes very good ones!i like your story!

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  14. AlexaApril 28, 2011 at 8:30 AM

    Good catch and good story! Do you suppose this is an old one retrofitted with a peep-eye or a new one made to look old? Either way, it's gorgeous.

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  15. Sam Hoffer / My Carolina KitchenApril 28, 2011 at 8:33 AM

    The French door knockers are so beautiful. How ironic that the door opened while you were photographing it. Glad it had a happy ending.
    Sam

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  16. LouiseApril 28, 2011 at 8:43 AM

    I love hearing the story behind the photo. What a wonderful memory. The doors and knockers are always captivating.

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  17. MApril 28, 2011 at 8:51 AM

    This was funny (at least for me who was just watching) -- he was a handsome monsieur dressed in a business suit. If I remember correctly, after laughing, he made a comment about the old doors. The photo turned out great!!

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  18. AnonymousApril 28, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    What a lovely way to meet a stranger! I think introductions might have been in order...lunch dates arranged, an evening at the Paris opera, perhaps? We will never know what opportunities you passed up on, Genie! (I think you'd rather just want to see behind that door!)

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  19. CildemerApril 28, 2011 at 10:09 AM

    Love it! And love the story behind it too:o)
    What a nice way to meet the Prince Charming;o)

    ***
    Bises et belle journée, Genie****

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  20. VirginiaApril 28, 2011 at 10:24 AM

    Oh I love this. I think I might have the same door knocker somewhere ! HA I'll bet your were surprised!!!
    V

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  21. brattcatApril 28, 2011 at 11:08 AM

    How this post made me smile. We obsessive photographers sometimes forget where we are, what we're doing, and suddenly a door opens and we find ourselves face to face with our subjects and the subjects behind our subjects. Thank you for your kind and thoughtful words. It was pure joy to spend a few days with Jilly and Malyss. I hope you are all okay after these violent storms.

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  22. AnonymousApril 28, 2011 at 11:13 AM

    I hope you came out unscathed from yesterday's weather that just makes me cry. The video of that poor Tuscaloosa student filming the twister, poor baby breathing so hard out of fear - ugh - just broke my heart. We came close last evening. Too close for comfort. Thinking of you ~ xox Alexandra

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  23. TheChieftessApril 28, 2011 at 1:11 PM

    So glad you both laughed!!! And got the picture!!!

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  24. HalcyonApril 28, 2011 at 2:15 PM

    Beautiful knocker with a great story!

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  25. PJApril 28, 2011 at 2:49 PM

    It's the love of details that makes the French so endlessly fascinating. What a grand statement.

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  26. cieldequimperApril 28, 2011 at 2:50 PM

    Laisser-passer? :-)

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  27. UnknownApril 28, 2011 at 4:03 PM

    have a great time my dear, big hugh Kathrin

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  28. starman1695April 28, 2011 at 4:14 PM

    That's a cute story.

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  29. UnknownApril 28, 2011 at 4:24 PM

    Funny story and you can't knock a great photo. Ha

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  30. HarrietApril 28, 2011 at 4:28 PM

    What a great story and photo!

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  31. LoreeApril 28, 2011 at 5:17 PM

    LOL. That is a beautiful door knocker.

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  32. BirdmanApril 28, 2011 at 5:56 PM

    Wonderful knocker and wood grain door.

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  33. biebkriebelsApril 28, 2011 at 6:21 PM

    That is a funny story, maby your clicks were so loud,he went to look who's on the door....

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  34. JackApril 28, 2011 at 6:40 PM

    That is pretty funny, Genie. I love architectural details like this. But, it can't be very old if it has that round viewing eye integrated into the design. Even if relatively new, I applaud them for the design.

    I have been surprised today how many commenters want to hoist me up on that wall without first making a statue of me. Sheesh.

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  35. Clueless in BostonApril 28, 2011 at 7:07 PM

    Great detail on the door. I too love details like this on doors.

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  36. Genie -- Paris and BeyondApril 29, 2011 at 12:21 AM

    To all -- Sometimes my curiosity gets me into hot water (trouble) but Marie was keeping watch (with camera in hand of course)...

    The gentleman who came bounding out of the door did not rattle or peek outside as I heard the sound of the door moving about the instant I saw him nose to nose!

    Sadly, I do not think that this is an ancient heurtoir but an ornament of perhaps 100 years in age? Certainly, we would call this an antique in the US but not that old for France. Still, I would love to have this on my front door!

    I think that this surprise encounter is one of the reasons I love Paris and all of France. I really enjoy talking to people and when you cannot communicate it is frustrating. I may not speak the most perfect French and "talk around" the subject at times, I do like making the connection.

    Thank you for all the comments today... merci, mes amis!

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  37. RandyApril 29, 2011 at 12:36 AM

    Wow that really is a big knocker! Enjoy your Friday!

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  38. BrandNewStudioApril 30, 2011 at 2:20 PM

    Beautiful
    GoodCreations

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  39. VreniApril 30, 2011 at 4:21 PM

    Beautiful! I love how many details you see in Paris!

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  40. Genie -- Paris and BeyondMay 1, 2011 at 12:38 AM

    Randy -- You are a mess...

    Brand New -- Merci... I hope you will visit again

    Vreni -- Merci! I swing from global view to details and try to hit everything in between.

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  41. jbMay 3, 2011 at 4:06 AM

    Go on - at least ask "Lilac who?"

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Merci for your comments!