A Menton Christmas - the Postman's Keys
Yesterday, we saw a big bunch of keys in the postman's hand.
In the Old Town, many of the old narrow houses have been transformed into apartments, with the mailboxes just inside the main door or gate. For security, these doors are kept shut, hence the postman has to open each door or gate with one of his many keys.
In the main photo, he is closing one of the gates - he'll then cross the street and climb the steps to the gate you see on the left. In the smaller photo, he unlocks a door.
Delivering mail in the Old Town is no mean feat with much walking and many steps to climb.
And look how narrow the treads are! No mean feet, indeed.
ReplyDeleteI am, frankly, astonished. The way your mail is delivered would not work here. I mean the unions here would not allow it -- most likely the unions would insist the gates be unlocked or the mailbox put up outside the gate.
ReplyDeleteIt is a quaint community, almost medieval looking to me. It looks like the whole place would fall down or cave in come the first big wind storm.
I would have to say something special if I lived there and ask the Lord to spare me when we had an earthquake.
The mailman deserves a healthy holiday tip, don't you think? I wonder how he keeps track of the keys and locks? It is inefficient for the carrier, but certainly does preserve the uniqueness and quaintness of the village. Fun series of photos, Jilly!
ReplyDeleteAmazing! Also great shots! :-)
ReplyDeleteI like your Blog's about Menton and Monte Carlo. Beautiful Fotos. Interesting motives.
ReplyDeleteLovingly and with fantasy arranged and commented.
Every day it's fun to see what's new on your blogs.
It is so very French :-))) I think Abraham is wrong though. These walls are more resistant (solides) than most new houses and than American wooden houses. They are so thick!
ReplyDeleteWonder what happens when he forgets the keys at home? I guess he has to go back.
ReplyDeleteI just love all that creative wiring you see in old European towns.
ReplyDeleteSnapshutter is exactly right. Whooeeee, that wiring system is an accident waiting to happen I would think.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots yesterday and today Jilly. We need to give that postman a round of applause,
V
We used to live on the Rue Longue and this was our postman. He is indeed a dedicated public servant. He had to climb 3 flights of stairs to deliver the two big boxes we shipped over - and he whistles while he works. Old Menton was built in the 14th century. Our building had no gate or door, let alone an elevator. The foreboding dark stairway was our security. We had light switches in our locked mailboxes that turned on a lightbulb on each landing. When we reached our apt. another switch turned off the lights. Each tenant had their own set of lights! Wires were everywhere. We loved it!
ReplyDeleteEven the Jilly beautiful photos can't show the beauty and the charm
ReplyDeleteof Menton.
Menton is a magical town.
Menton is called"la Perle de la France" and so it is.
"Là tout n'est qu'Ordre et Beauté
Luxe, Calme et Volupté"Baudelaire
Very picturesque place to be delivering mail!
ReplyDeleteI have to say that contrary to what Abe suspects, this same key system is used in America such as in San Francisco (where I lived) where all apartment buildings have gates. Our postman there also carried around a big bunch of keys!
Beautiful shots, Jilly. My brother was a mailman, but he never worked that hard!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad they allow him to wear athletic shoes for the job. Equal parts keeping fit and getting worn down, it seems. But there are certainly worse jobs to have!
ReplyDeletepicture postcard perfect.
ReplyDeleteThose pictures bring me right back! My paternal grand parent used to live in Menton and I spent many a summer holiday there.
ReplyDeleteI love this shot because (in my head), this is what I envision south of France to look like.
ReplyDelete