This is an expensive hat: I Bought it in the country that is home to Panama hats, Ecuador.

If my geography is correct – and the store has continuity of ownership, I bought it at EBD Carmal Hats – Casa del Sombrero on my last morning in Quito, just before heading to Panama, where I bought my Panama hat, bought in Panama.

The price different – US$300 for this one – can be seen in the quality of the weaving: this one is much better woven with many more strands woven tightly together.

It rests on my metal man in my living room – so I see it whenever I go into my living room – an instant reminder of a splendid few days in Ecuador’s capital city.

Essentially, if I wear straw hats in Berlin, I wear one of my two alternative ones – this one is too pricey for me to lose to the wind or forget in a café.

During the Covid-19 crisis, I am going to try and make a point of writing a blog post about an object in my home.

We’ll see how long this lasts.