Whack Those Stains Away

Is that hammering I hear or is someone chopping down a tree? No, it’s the whack, whack, whack of laundry being pummeled on a stone. I counted 15 full bodied whacks before the next scrub cycle started. A bar of soap, a nice textured rock and a pair of good strong biceps begin the scrub cycle, then more whacking before a final rinse in the river. Next it is hung on the line if one is available otherwise it is spread out on any available surface, bushes, rooftops or concrete walls will do.

When the laundry is almost dry it is then taken to be pressed. Men can be found ironing at theirsmall street carts long past sundown with no light to guide their strokes. Perhaps because the light is emanating from the large coal filled iron they are using. The handle can be lifted to reveal the cavity where the hot burning charcoal is being continually refilled. If they weren’t so heavy I would bring one back with me, these irons are exquisite pieces of functional art.

Although we love the luxury of having our laundry done we have decided that regardless of the infinitesimal price it is still not worth the assortment of holes we find when our neatly pressed clothes are returned to us.