Monday, Jan. 14, 2008

Carolina Life | Loads of fun

Many come to the laundromat simply to do laundry. Some folks come to Suds Super Laundromat Bar and Grill — one of the few Columbia laundromats to serve alcohol — to enjoy a cold beer and the wailing of the jukebox.

But to 4-year-old India Hampton, above, and her 9-year-old sister, Paris Cobin, laundry time is playtime.

Nothing beats the fun of sailing past towering appliances on a four-wheeled laundry cart. Whether they’re racing, pushing each other or being pushed by a family member, the girls have a blast. With the wind blowing through their hair and the colorful clusters of clothes spinning rhythmically in the bellies of the machines, the laundromat is transformed into a magical playground.

Of the different laundromats the girls visit, Suds is their favorite. They love the laid-back atmosphere, the large aisles and, of course, the candy machines. Especially the candy machines.

To some, going to the laundromat is a chore. To others, it is a bore. These children say, “Let’s play some more.”

— C. Aluka Berry,

caberry@thestate.com

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