souvenir
There had been plenty of warnings. Travel blogs and social media sites
recounted many experiences, and then there were the documentaries and
magazine articles with photographs of the large vats and workers
without masks or gloves, often barefoot kneading the hides for hours with their toes. The tannery was a thousand years old and the methods were as ancient, using cow urine and quicklime, pigeon guano and natural dyes from poppies, cedar wood, saffron. Now the luxurious camel bag which had been bargained for and coveted, was condemned to the garage. "It stinks," she complained. Nothing could remove the stench.
- Category: True Stories Told As Fiction
- Tags: fez morocco, tanneries, camel bag
5 comments add one below
-
Christopher almost 9 years ago
You always tell such rich stories, often rooted in sad realities but told with such flair and heart. Really great job.
-
D.M. almost 9 years ago
You are too kind!
(Really can't get the stink out of that bag, it's like vomit mixed with rotting diapers!!!!) -
T. Willemann almost 9 years ago
Sad reality - good drabble.
-
Julie almost 9 years ago
Watched a tv prog recently called Slow Train Through Africa with Griff Rhys Jones. He visited a tannery where they used such methods (he had a go himself). Your drabble instantly reminded me of that. Good job!
-
D.M. almost 9 years ago
I appreciate the comments coming from such strong writers as yourselves.
Many thanks!
