March 18, 2010

Old guard

The security guards in the historic walled city of Intramuros are dressed in uniforms patterned after those worn by the Guardia Civil during the Spanish colonial era.

Intramuros security guard in a Guardia Civil's uniform

I have one question though: did they have rubber boots back then?


It's that time of the month for me to bug CDP bloggers again! Our theme for April 1 is Red and the May theme day poll is up—don't forget to vote!

26 comments:

Ken Mac said...

looks young to me!

Ursel said...

I was already wondering if these are really rubber boots. Do they all have rubber boots, I mean even those without dressed like the Guardia Civil?

Clueless in Boston said...

The uniform looks pretty modern. As for the rubber boots in the 1600s, I wouldn't say no because rubber has been cultivated since about 1600 BC by the ancient Mayans.

Olivier said...

un bel uniforme, il a l'air tres fier de le porter

Lowell said...

A rather nice uniform, I think. And it looks lightweight so it shouldn't be that uncomfortable. The rubber boots I don't understand, either...maybe he was expecting a downpour?

Kaori said...

Love the hat! As for the rubber boots...I know they had rubber boots by the 1800s so maybe yes. But probably not as nice as this one :)

Halcyon said...

Cool uniform. I can forgive the rubber boots.

Leif Hagen said...

The Spanish are world famous for rubber boots! Didn't you know that, Hilda?

Don and Krise said...

Yeah, I have to question the rubber boots too Hilda. It beats high heels though. ;-)

P.S. We voted on May's theme day last night.

Unknown said...

Hmmm. Good point about the rubber boots!

JLTan said...

I think those rubber boots are designed as rain-wear, not for military use. I could be wrong, of course.

Unseen India Tours said...

Beautiful and lovely shot !! This is simply nice !!Unseen Rajasthan

Kat said...

I've seen these guards walking around, never noticed the footwear :) Laughing on the rubber boots question :)

Nishant said...

The uniform looks pretty modern
work at home in india

brattcat said...

What a green, lush place to stand guard.

Small City Scenes said...

Interesting---I know that the making of rubber has been around for along time but I bet the civil guards didn't wear them.

Love the 'WOK' in. MB

arabesque said...

hi hilds,
haha, manong looks awfully handsome huh?! hehe. ^0^
i manage to caught one guardia civil when i was there, it's a stolen shot, so just imagine his grim, unnerving look, yours is better definitely,..^-^

Michel Benoit said...

I'm not so glad today...
Thank you so much for your happy birthday !!!
I really love the hat of your guardia civil. It remembers me the XVIIIth century...
The past is so often a refuge...

Bergson said...

a portrait very simpathetic

VP said...

Not a bad place to guard!

Unknown said...

Very clever question, Hilda! :-)

Oakland Daily Photo said...

Your security guy looks a lot more approachable that did the Guardia Civil in Spain. During the Franco years it was forbidden to photograph them. And they were definitely associated with the oppression of Franco's reign.

Thanks for stopping by Oakland Daily Photo. Yes, the tower bell still tolls on the hour. The campus maintains its old time charm.

Louis la Vache said...

Not only did they not have rubber boots back then, they didn't have rubber duckies, either!

Charlestonjoan said...

My eyes went right to the boots as well!

T. Becque said...

This photo is catchy; I found I kept coming back to look at it more. And yes, the boots..

George said...

I have a question about the boots as well, but the uniform is so snappy that I'm willing to overlook the boots.