Wednesday, June 17, 2009

ABC Wednesday -- "V" is for "Vigilance"

On Knez Mihailova, Belgrade's pedestrian street, there are many vendors selling all kinds of wares, from neckties to wind-up toys. Legally you need a permit to do this and I don't know how much it costs, but many sellers don't want to pay. Most have their goods in 'pack and run' types of cases so that when the police approach, they just slam them shut and act innocent. Others, like the vigilant jewelry seller you see in the first photo, pull their stand into a nearby passage.

The door on this particular passage has always been closed, and I never thought of trying to see what was behind it. However, seeing the seller make a fast get-away, I followed him in and was very surprised to find such beautiful, although very neglected, art and woodwork, as you can see in the second photo. Someone must at least appreciate art though, since halogen lights have been installed to set it off.

15 comments:

Chattahoochee Valley Daily said...

Lovely architecture.

Bob Crowe said...

Did the vendor think you were taking pictures for the police? But what an interesting discovery.

Lowell said...

What a great and interesting post! Super photos, too. Thanks, Bibi!

dianasfaria.com said...

what beautiful woodwork & details. I love the light in the first photo too.
Nice V post Bibi!

Jane Hards Photography said...

What a wonderful find. Sadly so many fine building left to become fading beauties. We have no street vendors at all here, legal or otherwise. Always thought it must be a very precarious way to make a living. As always you own viliglance as a photoblogger paid off.

Marie Reed said...

Be careful my dear! I was worried that the vendor might want to snatch your camera (or worse) because you we snapping photo evidence of his no-nos! Amazing discovery Inspector Gadget.. wel.. you are more like Penney:)

soulbrush said...

what a lovely building, makes me sad to see the 'old' neglected.

Carol said...

A great V and an interesting post...that's a very ornate nearby passage...is this common in belgrade...

Unseen India Tours said...

This is so fantastic !! I really Loved the building !!Unseen Rajasthan

Anonymous said...

We also have those vendors who run away quickly when the police comes around, but probably not as sophisticated as this man.

This building could make good use of a restoration. It looks like a beautiful one.

Alexa said...

Great choice for V, bibi, and beautifully illustrated.
Seems like all NYC street vendors must be on the up & up, because I never see anyone packing up quickly when the police are around.

Leslie: said...

A very original post for V-day. Love the architecture!

Thérèse said...

So many hidden treasures behing doors in Belgrade. One more example.

Tumblewords: said...

Amazing...

Morticia said...

Don't know what to say, except it's wonderful!
I live in Belgrade, born in it, and always in search for things like this. Unseen, hidden. But I haven't been in it. Think that something on the door could be the clue for finding it.
Thanks for the lovely discovery.

SPRING FASHION

 This is a post that would be better in color, but maybe not. These colors were soooo pale.