At the risk of becoming tedious about all the things I love about living in Spain, I have to talk about man-bags.
I'd probably have to go back thirty years or more (...probably more) since I last carried a bag and that was more about de-rigour early 70's, post-hippe style rather then simply a wholly practical way of managing the rather more utilitarian aspects of life.
But here...all men carry man-bags with their phone, keys, multiple glasses cases (sun, daytime and reading), wallet, iPod, notepad, pens, handy novel for reading on the train or over a cafe con leche etc etc.
Not only do my trousers not bulge or my shirt pockets distend, but since coming into ownership of said item I have not once had to humbly mumble to Linda; "Have you seen my keys/glasses/wallet/............. - fill in the appropriate blank"
The downside...well as any woman worth her salt will tell you, you have to be disiplined. So far I´ve only had one minor panic attack when I went in to the zip pocket on my man-bag and the keys were not there. This was entirely my own fault as in an unconscious mime of my former self I'd dropped them into my jacket pocket and not tucked them into the man-bag place reserved for them. The sharp cold stab of fear as I scrabbled through the bag was more than enough to ensure that I won't be so casual in future...
Of course here in the land of the man-bag there is also the question of style and whether one bag enough for any man? Being new to this game I went for a tough black with a semi-miltary look. Made of rip-stop nylon it has zips and clips and wouldn't look amiss as part of an SAS kit. Pathetic really... but as I get more comfortable with the feel of a bag across my body and get used to the fact that nobody stares, sniggers or sneers, maybe I'll go for something with a bit more colour or texture. Right now I just love having all of my daily requirements in one handy package - that's my man-bag.
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