Another Place Another Time :: Our Daily Bread

There's something pure and simple about a loaf of bread.
Few of us even take the time to go to a bakery to secure this
basic of life. We know it can easily be found along the aisle of a larger
store, which has a bakery section, along with other basics of life.


Wouldn't it be wonderful to open the front door and find this rather
natty fellow, in his tweed jacket / vest and tie, holding a basket
of fresh baked bread?

How about a giant loaf of french bread delivered in this Citroen panel truck ?
I love the way they're standing at attention along the sides of the truck ... .
rather like soldiers ready to depart on their next mission.
The mission: Feed & Nurture.


Purchasing a loaf from this peddler in Caracus, Venezuela (circa 1903)
would have been quite the luxury to the housewives in this barrio.
The norm at this time would have been bake-your-own.

These Goanese bakers have me a bit confused. They obviously work as
a team, with the large basket to hold bread ... . which then appears to
be served on a tray. Is that long stick attached to the basket?
And, why does the baker on the right rate matching checked trousers
and shoes ... . . whereas the boy on the left is sans shoes ?
During WW I these bakers were equipped to take down the tents and roll on a moments
notice, to keep their fellow British soldiers supplied with their daily bread.
Nowhere to put those trays of bread?
Not a problem ... . just sit them in the dirt.

And what do you think that little improvised device to the right of the photo is?
A canvas sling to hold the dough while it rises ??
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Other places and other times ... . give us pause to think of that which comes
to us so simply in this time. Perhaps we should also pause to give thanks
for these small treasures we often take for granted.

For some other thoughts on Bread, see the other posts
for Theme Thursday - here.


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P.S.
I've been thinking about those boys from Goa.
And ... . . I believe my questions are answered by the fact that
this was a posed photo with the bakers exhibiting the tools of
their trade: the long stick being a long handled spatula for
taking the loaves out of an oven. Those British Army bakers
are pictured with the same utensil. What d'ya think?


With thanks to www.postcardman.net for the wonderful
vintage images.