Thursday, April 25, 2013

Vintage Reflections

I find old things very interesting.  When I'm somewhere that is rich in history, I try to envision what it would be like to live during a different time.  Since I live in the nation's oldest city, this happens quite often.  The photo below is of different handles that were used in a steam room at the Alcazar Hotel (currently known as the Lightner Museum).  Hotel guests would pay anything from 50 cents to a couple of dollars for use of the health spa.  This hotel also housed the world's largest indoor swimming pool at the time.  Click here for more information about the history of the hotel.


Vintage Alcazar Hotel Handles
 
It was built in 1887 in the Spanish Renaissance style.  The health spa included a Turkish Bath, a steam room, a cold plunge, a massage room, a gym and a lounging room.  Now, the indoor pool is lined with antique shops and a really awesome eatery called the Alcazar Cafe.  I still love visiting this place as it is really easy to lose yourself in the details, beautiful architecture and ghost-like memories of past times that still linger throughout. 
 
Old things.  Vintage things.  They remind me of how we have both grown and regressed as a society.  I'm reminded of how important our history is - the bad and the good.  When I walk through the hallways at the old Alcazar Hotel, I think about drinking tea and playing croquet.  Maybe taking a dip in the pool and going for a horse-drawn carriage ride through the cobblestone streets in St. Augustine (even though they still do this today).  It'd just be different back then without cars and scooters passing by. 
 
Enjoying history is a wonderful way to be reflective and in the moment.  I wish that everyone took advantage of these types of wonders in our own backyards.  They are great places to go with family and friends or even by ourselves to journal, capture moments with our cameras or just savor our nation's history.
 
 
*I'm participating in the 2013 A to Z Challenge. Every day in April (except for Sundays) I will be posting according to a letter of the Alphabet. To read more about my theme, click here. 

10 comments:

  1. I love the idea of playing tourist in our own backyards, of going to the museums and historical sites that people from other places come to see. Definitely something to keep in mind. :)

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    1. Me, too. In my town, residents get into a lot of attractions for free. It's awesome!

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  2. You're absolutely right. There are so many great things to see right in our own towns. My favorite place to visit here is the George Eastman House (founder of Kodak). The things I've learned there have even ended up in my fiction. :)

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  3. Jaime,

    I agree, I love history and historical places!

    There aren't a lot of really OLD places near me, but in San Antonio there are a lot of missions including, of course, the Alamo. I love the feeling of walking in old downtown San Antonio. :)

    St. Augustine is on my list, I would love to see the lighthouse there. But also because of the history of that particular city.

    I love antiques and history. Very interesting post!

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    1. The history is amazing here. I only drove through San Antonio but never got the chance to check the city out. I'd love to visit the missions.

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  4. Sounds wonderful! I also love history and discovering vintage things. I usually go for books/magazines, so interesting to see recipes and ads from a different time period.

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    1. I really love reading old newspapers. The articles but also the ads - they're so interesting.

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  5. You would love Old Bedford Village (PA), Colonial Williamsburg (VA), and Old Sturbridge Village (MA). Visitors get a glimpse of life in the past. My husband and I got to operate the candle making shoppe one year--what fun! Blessings!
    Pam at 2 Encourage

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    1. That does sound fun! I haven't been to any of these places. Thanks for sharing.

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