Journal 4, Entry 7- Reportage: "The Leather Market"

The leather market has more American voices speaking in it than Italians. It's a hypocritical thing to say, but I wish they weren't there. I looked for the special stand that was just put of reach, the one in the corner that wasn't selling a Doors t-shirt, highlighter yellow headbands, or the cheap wallets with the Florentine fleur de les on it with a pun about marijuana or sex. As soon as I found that shop, someone else did as well and they asked about what kind of animal the leather came from and if it was killed humanely. I eventually bought a jacket the next day. It sits on my skin in the summer sun, but I would have felt empty without one which is the sentiment that all the study abroad kids from the other universities share with me, I assume.