The Skin off the Animal's Back

Leather Tannery. Fes, Morocco

The smell of flesh was palpable against my tongue.  The stench of rot accompanied the chemicals used to preserve and dye the skin.

It made me think twice about the leather handbags, shoes, boots, belts, jackets and coats that adorned my closet. All the work that leads to the final product goes unnoticed until you find yourself in a place like this.

Questionably eerie and obviously an undesirable atmosphere, I quickly acknowledge my own leather bag and realize that someone has to do this work.