Entrances & Doors
Doors cover entrances. They provide protection, separate one space from another, and allow free movement in and out.
Doors can be small or large, ornate or plain, narrow or wide, keyed or sliding, swinging or revolving, open or closed. They can even be false.
Doors can be made of wood, iron, glass or mesh, and have knobs, handles, pulls, plates or nothing at all. Whatever their composition or design, doors describe motion. They also tell us something about their owners and about the places they guard; some even inspire narratives.
Automatic doors test our faith – will they open when we approach?
Glass doors sometimes propel us beyond the immediate moment, causing us focus on the inside, our destination. Have you ever walked into a glass door? It snaps your attention right back to the present.
Entrances and doors have been used as metaphors for hope, opportunity and inspiration. An open door suggests welcome. We recall happy times, laughter, and loved ones. A closed door piques curiosity. There’s mystery there, or is there? A closed door can also suggest a missed opportunity. There’s no mystery, however, about a door that’s been shut or slammed in your face.
Our lives are a series of entrances and exits. How many entrances and doors will you walk through today?
Paris
Jamaica
Follow your bliss and the Universe will open doors where there were only walls.
Joseph Campbell
Jamaica
When one door is closed, don’t you know, another is open.
“Coming in From the Cold” Bob Marley
Toronto
Toronto
“Every exit is an entrance somewhere else.” Tom Stoppard
London
Havana
Havana
Jamaica
Jamaica
What do these entrances and doors tell you?
This post was inspired by Celia’s recent post on doors at Africa to Asia.
This is my submission to Travel Photo Thursday, which is organized by Nancie at Budget Travelers Sandbox. Be sure to head over and check out more photos from locations around the world.
About Marcia Mayne
Marcia Mayne travels a world full of books, music, art, fun people and great food. She raves about them constantly. Currently, she is journeying through Jamaica, her home country, to discover the places she missed.
Twitter: familiesgo
says:
Fun post. Would have liked to have seen some of Dublin’s famous doors!
eileen at FamiliesGo! recently posted..Fort Wilderness Lodge
Thanks, Eileen. Would love to see them too.
Beautiful collection, my favorite is the Havana door.
Muza-chan recently posted..A Japanese Song per Day: SKE48 – Okie Dokie
Thanks, Muza-chan. It is one of my favorites too.
Twitter: ALEAHphils
says:
I love taking pictures of doors too! Unfortunately my post on the doors in Europe is still in my Drafts folder.
Aleah | SolitaryWanderer.com recently posted..Yee Peng/Loy Krathong, the Floating Lantern Festival of Chiang Mai
I’d love to see your doors, Aleah. I bet you have some beautiful ones from Europe.
Twitter: eurotravelista
says:
This is great! I have a ton of pictures of doors and have been thinking of writing a post about them. I really love the big ornate doors. They’re so pretty!
Debbie Beardsley recently posted..Wiesbaden – That Second Look!
Great, Debbie. I can’t wait to see your doors!
Twitter: hikebiketravel
says:
I love posts on doors as they really do come in all shapes, sizes and colours just like people. We need a new front door and I don’t want any old door. I want something with character as I think it says a little something about you. Your Havana door is my favourite.
Leigh recently posted..A Visit to Sudbury’s Science North is Not Just for Kids
I agree, Leigh. A door says a lot about the owner and the house. Hope you find a suitable door soon — I know you will!
Twitter: vagabond3live
says:
While London is my favorite city, I love the doors in Toronto- so cool and modern!
jade recently posted..Dreaming of Mexico Despite Travel Advisory Warnings
That they are, Jan. They are my favorites for the same reason too.
Twitter: BudgetTrvlTalk
says:
Doors if open give a peek into another world. If they are closed they lead me to think what might be on the other side. After going to Morocco I realize that a plain boring door can hide an amazing riad on the other side.
budget jan recently posted..Mass in the Mosque
I can’t wait to go to Morocco, Jan. I’d love to see some of those doors and what they hide.
Open or closed, doors can be quite intriguing.
I love doors and you have a delightful selection of them here. Thanks for sharing them.
cindy recently posted..Photo Thursday: The Sea Pearl
You’re welcome. I’m glad you like them too, Cindy.
Twitter: worldbooktravel
says:
This is a great collection of doors, Marcia! I’m drawn to the Paris, Havana and Jamaica doors. i love how you incorporated those lovely quotes in here. Wonderful post!
Mary recently posted..San Francisco with Kids: 5 Free and Fun Attractions
Thanks, I’m glad you like those – they are some of my favorites — and the quotes.
There’s so much more to doors!
Twitter: www.totsymae.com
says:
There’s mystique in some of these doors and others, you really want to get to the other side of to know what happens on a daily basis. And just imagine, or maybe you don’t have to since you’re there, but exiting your door and seeing that beautiful Jamaican water. Nice place to chill anytime.
totsymae1011 recently posted..It Happens to the Best of Us
I agree, Totsy, it’s great to see the water. It’s so soothing.
There’s mystique behind some of those doors too!
I collect photos of doors and windows too. Great selections!
Michael Figueiredo recently posted..Snapshot: New Orleans, Louisiana
Thanks, Michael. Would be nice to see some of your photos.
Twitter: artisdiary
says:
Beautiful narration and what a variety of doors. They are all so different and all so pretty. I too love to capture doors, they do have mystery about them
Have a lovely weekend Marcia
Arti recently posted..Hello Nara – Planning and Welcome
Thanks, Arti. Would love to see some of your door photos.
I love the ivy-covered Toronto door. It looks so mysterious! Thanks for the mention
You’re welcome, Celia! Glad you like it, it does have a mysterious look.
Twitter: travelnwrite
says:
How did I miss this on Thursday!? Love this post Marcia. . .doors and windows always have me aiming the camera towards them.
Jackie Smith recently posted..Arizona: Where “PC” Means. . .
Thanks, Jackie. I probably posted after you did. They do capture our attention, don’t they?
Beautiful shots! I\’ve already purchased an architectural album about doors, there are really beautiful examples around the world!
Hajnalka recently posted..Szépség és a fogaink
Oh, that must be so lovely! I can only imagine how spectacularly beautiful they must be.
Twitter: Ladyexpat
says:
Doors and windows are two of my favorite photo subjects. All of these are beautiful. I particularly like the second one from Havana…so classy!
Nancie recently posted..#TPThursday– November 29, 2012– Day Tripping to Korea’s Daecheon Beach
That it is, Nancie – classy. Doors and windows are sometimes so full of character.
Twitter: TravelingWithS
says:
Each door tells a different story, doesn’t it? Very interesting post — you’ve got me thinking. Now what about revolving doors? I suppose they make us wonder if we’re coming or going!
Cathy Sweeney recently posted..Southern Serendipity in Charleston
Great observation, Cathy, I hadn’t even thought of it. But now I’m thinking of a scene from a movie when two people meet in a revolving door and keep going round until one — I think it was the guy – stopped it. Can’t remember which movie it is though.
Twitter: vangrizz
says:
Am I the only one with “Come On Baby Light My Fire” going through my head? These are definitely some great door photos Marcia. Right now I’m wishing I could walk through those last two Jamaica doors. They seem to be separating me from where I’d like to be right about now.
Steve recently posted..Friends of MKTS – Suitcases and Sippy Cups
Hahaha, I hear you, Steve. And yes, I did think about The Doors when I was putting the post together. That Greatest Hits album, especially, is burned into my head.
Twitter: theworldofdeej
says:
Love this post…great pictures and quotes!
D.J. recently posted..Souvenirs From Wine Country – How To Bring Home The Good Stuff
Thanks, DJ, glad you like the post.
Twitter: elizobihfrank
says:
These are awesome doors… I love elegant doors and until recently, had no idea how expensive the door business is… TY
ElizOF recently posted..Weekly Photo Challenge: Changing Seasons
Funny, I hadn’t thought of cost though now that you mention it, doors would be big business.
Living in the country, I barely have a front door. I think if just ten people have stepped upon my front stoop in 5 years, that would be an overestimate. I appreciate the art of a front door and entry way, however, it is what welcomes someone into your home and a peep into what lies inside. I know that if I ever make my way back to civilization, I will consider very highly the way that my home presents itself to the outside world. Thanks for the imagery and the beautiful display of welcomes.
You’re welcome, Marc.
Your comment made me think of the things, like doors, that we take for granted and how different our lives can be. Thanks for sharing your perspective.
Twitter: citygalklc
says:
I also love doors and windows in foreign places – they all seem to tell such a story! When I was in Morocco, the doors were built right into the walls so you had no idea what was behind them – it was very cool.
Koren recently posted..Merry Christmas from Fifth Avenue!
I’ve yet to visit Morocco but I’ve seen photos of some of its doors — pretty impressive.
I’d love to see them! Thanks for your comment, Koren.