I finally admitted to myself that winter is coming and it was time to wash my cosy down coat which requires the use of a large-scale commercial washer and dryer and so a trip to the laundromat was in order. There is something unique about these places - all the symmetry of the machines, the slight untidiness, and most of all the interesting characters coming and going. I spent a couple of hours just observing everything around me!
There was a time when I had a dream of opening up a laundromat, with an attached cafe that would have a used book library. Unfortunately I was very poor at the time.
ReplyDeleteLaundromats are great places to watch people! I'm glad to see you took your camera with you. :))
ReplyDeleteWe don't have places like this around here (I mean, self-service), when we need a special washing, we just leave the clothes and we will have them delivered later.
ReplyDeleteMany years ago, when I lived abroad, I was a regular customer of a laundromat, and I lost count of how many items were completely damaged thanks to my inexperience... :(
Cool shot RedPat! ;-)
Oh, it has been a while since I used one of these . . .
ReplyDeleteI haven't used a laundromat in ages, but boy do I remember the interesting people coming through.
ReplyDeleteThink "South Pacific":
ReplyDelete"I'm gonna wash that dirt
Right outta my coat,
I'm gonna wash that dirt
Right outta my coat
And get "down" with
My sweetie!
Great shot! - I`ve been meaning to do one of our local facilities for some time.
ReplyDeleteI always had fun in these when I was a kid.
ReplyDeleteSeems almost clinical to me! Have a great Christmas Red Pat
ReplyDeleteOh you sound just like me Red, I could sit and people watch for hours, no matter where I am. Hope your coat came out all nice and fluffy!! Have a wonderful Christmas and stay safe.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was traveling for work I used these places all the time. I was fortunate that all the long term buildings I stayed in had in house laundry rooms. The place I stayed in Las Vegas actually had a washer and dryer in the apartment. That was a nice change.
ReplyDeleteThe smells of these places always take me back to another time.
ReplyDeleteRe your comment on Ocala DP: I've given up trying to be funny at this time of year. People keep calling me a Christmas card! :-)
ReplyDeleteI agree, had to use one the other day when my dryer was on the fritz, we have one down the street attached to a restaurant and bar. The patrons are fascinating and I spent a long time just observing the comings and goings, funny the little things in life that can make you see things in such a new way.
ReplyDeletei quite like your shot - very graphic. this could have been photographed yesterday or 30 years ago. these machines never change. stay warm! and thanks redpat for a great year of finds and wonderful photography!
ReplyDeleteReminds me of a giant lego block on its side!
ReplyDeleteThis one looks to me in pristine order with the excepting of the pink thingy on the floor. So clean. I spent many a day and evening in laundromats in college and when I was living in apartments many years ago. genie
ReplyDelete