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Days of Glory
COMMENTS
Ericf said at 2:55 p.m. on Sep 30, 2008:
Where is this?
Eduardo.affonso said at 3:05 p.m. on Sep 30, 2008:
This old hotel is in Ponte Nova, a small town in the State of Minas Gerais (Brazil). It's located right in front of the old railway station (that doesn't exist anymore). Its days of glory are gone, but its charm remains.

I used to dream of spending one night there, everytime I passed by, on my way to my hometown (45 km away). It would be a nightmare now...
Chilla said at 3:13 p.m. on Sep 30, 2008:
How sad to see such a beautiful building decaying like this and it still has so much beauty. Lovely little birds too, not ones we see here in the UK. Wonderful location. Thanks for sharing this lovely tabblo.
Soniacal said at 3:19 p.m. on Sep 30, 2008:
lindo...se integrou à paisagem e pouco a pouco se torna parte da terra...
lindos pássaros..acho que vi um sabiá...
Eduardo.affonso said at 3:22 p.m. on Sep 30, 2008:
Thanks, CELIA. I've been wondering what could be done to preserve this building. It won't become an upper class hotel again because this area is so degradated now. But it would make a magnificent City Hall, or a City Library, a Cultural Center, or a school. Meanwhile, it keeps hosting these beautiful birds, at least.
Eduardo.affonso said at 3:27 p.m. on Sep 30, 2008:
SONIA: Poucas coisas são tão profundamente verdadeiras quanto "do pó viemos, ao pó retornamos". Ainda mais nestes trópicos, onde a natureza nos reabsorve em tão pouco tempo. Não consigo dintinguir um sabiá de um pardal, mas o que me encantou mesmo foi o passarinho azul. Pena que minha lente não dê pra fazer um close mais bacana - ainda mais que ele resolveu pousar (ou seria posar?) bem em frente do único elemento azul da fachada. Não importa a espécie, ele certamente tem senso estético - e senso de oportunidade.
Wildthing said at 3:28 p.m. on Sep 30, 2008:
The hotel Gloria looks haunted. Maybe the ghosts of better days still reside in bygone splendour behind its crumbling facade. Great pics. I'm finding it hard to leave this tabblo for some reason.
Eduardo.affonso said at 3:43 p.m. on Sep 30, 2008:
You are probably being haunted by this building, MIKE. Haven't you watched "The Shining", directed by Kubrick? I loved what you wrote: "mybe the ghosts of better days still reside in bygone splendour behind its crumbling facade". It would make a great end for a frightening short story. It's a pity my English is not good enough to write it.
Pkeener said at 3:49 p.m. on Sep 30, 2008:
i bet some eulipions stayed there, being across from the railroad station an all.
G L O R I A van morrison
i love #11 and #17. the little bird and the railroad tracks that arer being overtaken by mother earth.
thank you edu
Eduardo.affonso said at 3:53 p.m. on Sep 30, 2008:
PAM: Isn't it a coincidence? The little bird is my favorite, too...
Hollyridger said at 5:51 p.m. on Sep 30, 2008:
Extraordinary to see the tree growing out of the stonework. It is so sad to see one time magnificent buildings such as this in such a state of disrepair. The last shot is superb.
Liliana said at 8:18 p.m. on Sep 30, 2008:
Eduardo: la última foto, con toda su grandeza es terrible: desde el cielo hasta los caños de desagües, cielo/infierno. Me parece un resumen de esa ruina...
Ira said at 11:37 p.m. on Sep 30, 2008:
Very beautiful shots. Bright contrasts and unexpected captures. A strange place. Deserted and very emotional. Expressive.
Leftofcenter said at 2:53 a.m. on Oct 1, 2008:
as seen through the eyes of the mad artist-architect you are. bwana. the dilapidated shutters are my favorites.
Hhwind said at 5:49 a.m. on Oct 1, 2008:
Beautiful shots it is sad that such a magnificient hotel has to go this way
Eduardo.affonso said at 6:23 a.m. on Oct 1, 2008:
NOREEN: Trees grow everywhere here in the tropics...

LILIANA: Céu e inferno, com uma longa permanência no purgatório.

IRA: I wish I could have been inside this building, where the sense of emptiness would be even more intense, I guess.

ANNELIES: Mad? Artist? Wow, I guess I should be flattered!

TEO: Yes, it's so sad. But, on the other hand, it confirms the theory that beautiful buildings make beautiful ruins. And I can't deny I'm fond of ruins.
Shenresi said at 6:40 a.m. on Oct 1, 2008:
wow, Eduardo, what a lovely and wonderful old ruin!!! Like the shots with the birds!!
Charlespop said at 8:16 a.m. on Oct 1, 2008:
Real nice !
Umair said at 8:29 a.m. on Oct 1, 2008:
wonderful photos, my friend! regards!
Jigs said at 11:54 a.m. on Oct 1, 2008:
Hmmm... Hotel Gloria, huh? Seems like the perfect place to exile our country's president for good! ;-)
Chaitiamma said at 12:05 p.m. on Oct 1, 2008:
Sad to see this happens to a grand hotel. Great tabblo though.
Eduardo.affonso said at 12:08 p.m. on Oct 1, 2008:
ANGELA: At first I thought of posting the photos of the birds in a separate album (tabblo), but they are the only inhabitants of this building, so I decided to leave them here, adding some life to the ruin.

CHARLES & UMAIR: Thanks for your comments.

JIGS: Ok, we can made a deal: Gloria Arroyo can move to Hotel Gloria and have some glorious days here, and in return you find a high security prison in the Philippines to host Mr. Lula for the rest of his life - done?
Eduardo.affonso said at 12:10 p.m. on Oct 1, 2008:
There's no room for grand hotels like this in small cities, DAVID. It's a miracle this one hasn't been demolished yet.
Yug said at 12:59 p.m. on Oct 1, 2008:
Very interesting shots. I understand you very much. I feel more or less the same when I see ruins of fortress of the Second Temple time
Moabjeeper said at 3:12 p.m. on Oct 1, 2008:
Great memories of yore.
Liliana said at 3:55 p.m. on Oct 1, 2008:
Ni pensé en purgatorio, me salió esa imagen, directamente...
AliDar said at 2:03 a.m. on Oct 2, 2008:
Too bad. I really feel sad for this charming old building. Here, we'd just turn it into a condo. And looks like the bird has it. :)
Abking said at 12:21 a.m. on Oct 3, 2008:
Fascinating photos of nature reclaiming the very mortal Hotel Gloria. The birds are making the most of it.
Sirnicolay said at 2:20 a.m. on Oct 3, 2008:
Vintage! I love the shot of the solitary bird on wires. Beautiful!
Marranei said at 10:10 a.m. on Oct 3, 2008:
Lindo! Tbm adorei o foco nos passarinhos... mas impressionante mesmo são as árvores...
Maz2001 said at 9:22 p.m. on Oct 4, 2008:
Wonderful but sad images.
Curriehouse said at 9:06 a.m. on Oct 5, 2008:
What a shame such a beautiful place has been abandoned. Wonderful shapes and colours in your photos.
EMA said at 2:30 p.m. on Oct 6, 2008:
Faz pena ver um edifício tão belo cair assim em ruinas! Mas como " Nothing last for ever..." :( Adorei o Tabblo e, claro, os pássaros que lhe dão o tal sinal de que a vida continua.
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