Outside the Romanian village of Viscri, we met a charcoal burner and his wife. They spoke little English but they were thrilled to have visitors, inviting us to cups of tea and showing us around their site.
They showed us their family photos, including their wedding pictures, and then gestured to me to take their photograph. I’ve since sent it to our guide to forward on as they didn’t have a mailing address, but I don’t know if they ever got it. I never heard back.
I didn’t know that charcoal burners still exist. I assumed that the charcoal you buy in hefty bags from the petrol station are burnt in big modern ovens. This couple’s set-up is basic, with big stacks of wood next to a smoking pyre, which glows hot under an already intensely hot sun.
May Day is a spring holiday and it also celebrates International Workers Day. This one’s to them, the charcoal burner and his wife. Tell me though, isn’t that a great story title?
~ Spotted Cow
Wandering Cows 
You must be logged in to post a comment.