Murse (n.): 1. a purse carried by a man. 2. used to describe a male handbag, or man-purse.
I’ve been a big fan of messenger bags, ever since college (my chiropractor can confirm this). From early on, these bags became known as my man-purses, or “murses”. After starting my new job, I decided to get a more “economical” bag off Ebay that ended up being a little more purse than man (see “before” picture above).
And then I went to Guatemala.
One of the more fun parts of the trip was when I had the chance to go to a large local market that held everything from fruit to clothing. No one spoke English, and everything was up for unashamed haggling.
After tasting some incredible fruits (that I still don’t know the name of), I and another blogger who knew Spanish started walking around. It was then that I saw it–the death blow to my murse-mania: the hand-made, hand-stitched, locally-crafted Guatemalan satchel you see above in the “after” photo.
I’d like to say that I was the one that haggled the satchel down by a third of it’s original price, but it was actually my Spanish-speaking blogger friends that did the haggling; I just stood there and watched.
Oh well. Either way, I ended up with a new bag for work, and I love it. A co-worker yesterday told me that I look like Indiana Jones every day when I walk in with it.
Biggest. Compliment. Ever.
Guatemala, you gave me many, many things while I was there. But thank you especially for this.
And while we’re at it, I do need to give a special shout-out to Chris Byers, husband to blogger Dana Byers, who also accompanied us on this trip, and ended up taking my murse-mantle and bringing it back to the States. Here’s a tweet he sent me yesterday:
Wear it proud, Chris.
And thank you, Whit Wilson, for conducting the awkward photo shoot that produced the pictures above.
CLICK HERE to follow the rest of my Guatemala posts for Lemonade International
the long way home 
Do you know the difference between a murse and a purse? A murse ONLY carries men stuff. Now I don’t think that is fair…my husband is always cramming his stuff in my purse, I should be able to stuff my things in a murse. What say you?
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Trying hard to remember the scene where Indiana wore his burgundy cardigan……..and failing,
;-). All joking aside though – suits you sir – it’s a good look for on you.
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any ideas of what you’re doing with the before murse? i happen to LOVE it!
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your welcome for helping with the photo shoot…i still prefer the topless pictures we took
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LOL! You guys are awesome.
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Looks almost like a Saddleback Leather satchel of briefcase.
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