First photographs? Shoes, of course

For around 10 cents the shoe repairman at the bottom is sewing together the plastic band of a flip-flop to its foam sole. The flip-flop costs around 1,400 francs, around $2.50. The shoe repairmen are all lined up in competing businesses, with stacks of heals, flip-clops, slippers, and sneakers, all waiting to be repaired on the spot.

The flip-flops I bought are made out of used tire rubber for the soles, string, and decorative beads. I paid 1,000 francs for them, though locals tend to prefer the brightly-colored flimsy imports rather than the much, much stronger rubber-soled recyclables.

For some reason, only men seem to repair shoes. Why is this always a male profession? Maybe because the nails are associated with building, which is associated with men. The tailors are almost all women.

I am putting together the best photos of the students in the village. I want the students to write their own bios first, so soon you will see more than just shoes. Which I could talk about all day. But still.