Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: self-service laundry

The island of Corsica is one of the 18 regions of France. It was colonized the Carthaginians, the Greeks, the Etruscans and the Romans. After the Roman empire collapsed, Corsica got invaded by the Vandals and the Ostrogoths. For a short while the island belonged to the Byzantine Empire, then the Franks granted the island to the Pope, in the early 11th century Pisa and Genoa together freed the island from the threat of Arab invasion. The island came under the influence of the Republic of Pisa, later it belonged to Genua for centuries. In 1755 after a long fight for independence from Genoa the independent Corsican Republic was proclaimed, but in 1769, when the island was conquered by France. As the areas near the coast over centuries have been threatened by attacks and raids of pirates many old hamlets and dwellings are wide inland, high in the mountains. Bonifacio is the southernmost town on the island of Corsica. The town is divided into into two areas: the medieval old town ("ville haute") and the marina in the harbour area. The upper town is located on a 900-metre-long, narrow tongue of lime- and sandstone land parallel to the coast. On its seafront the promontory slopes from a height of about 70 metres perpendicular to the sea. On the land side, a fjord-like bay is cut into the limestone, forming a well-protected natural harbour. The unique location has repeatedly made Bonifacio the center of military conflict, so over the centuries it was built into a massive fortress. In a few minutes the light will be switched off here. The laundry shop will fall asleep. Passing the shop again half an hour later I could hear slight snoring coming from the large dryers half an hour later.

The more and the longer I have travelled (with limited baggage!) - the more I loved launderettes. This one in Albi had a very clean and nearly irresistible smell.

The self-service laundry is open from 07.00 to 22.00, but even at night time it is protected by Pope Francis, whose poster is attached to the wall.

The more and the longer I have travelled - the more I loved launderettes. Launderettes are the meeting and melting point. Here the weary traveller will meet and talk to locals. There is an hour to spend at least, waiting for the washing machine. Talk is cheap. For the tourist all the locals have interesting stories to listen to and for the locals this stranger in the launderette is interesting. What is he doing in here? Washing clothes! Why? As they are dirty? Where do you stay? What do you work? How is your life? Where will you be tomorrow? Launderettes - are definitely underestimated! Seen here is a nice launderette in Nice. Unfortunatley I never took a photo of my favourite launderette, the "Tin Tin Tango" in Taka-Töölö, Helsinki, Finland. The "Tin Tin Tango" combines a couple of washing machines and tumbling dryers, a coffee shop - and a sauna. Sebastian took a nice shot from the facade in winter: www.flickr.com/photos/sstorholm/5369817957/ Just learned, that the "Tin Tin Tango" has a website (in finnish): www.tintintango.info/

A group of colourfully dressed young ladies have gathered at the corner of the "Lavanderia".