A bookmark may seem like an obsolete object in the grand scheme of life. You can place a multitude of objects inside a book in an effort to hold the page you’re on. This goes against my better judgement in saying this, so I hope no book lovers hold it against me, but realistically, you do not even need another object to hold your place in a book. You can just…fold the page…

Although I recognize this, I tend to prefer having a special designated object to hold the place of whichever book I am currently delving into. Folding the page only comes as a very last resort for me (and makes me feel guilty). This leads me to a new object I will be discussing this week. My favorite book mark.

This bookmark measures approximately 8 inches long and 2 inches wide. It is so thin I do not have a ruler that can get me an accurate measurement, but it is about as thin as the edge of one of my finger nails. It is made of a material I am unsure of, some kind of textiles, embroidery floss or something similar. They are woven or sewn together very tightly on the front side, but when you flip it over to the back you can see all of the various colored strings. The pattern on the front is very ornate and intricate. On the top there is the word CORDOBA etched into a gold rectangle with black stitching. The word MEZQUITA is etched in the same fashion on the bottom. When this bookmark is in directly contact with the pages of a book it feels scratchy, it does not glide smoothy over the paper.

I was given this bookmark as a gift at the end of my senior year of high school. It was not a gift for any momentous occasion, it was extremely random – which happen to be my favorite kinds of gifts. During this time of my senior year with not much work to do, I was working on painting a large mural as a sort of legacy to leave behind in the school after I’d left. So, as I spent most of my days in the basement back corner stairwell painting away, my friend stopped by to visit. He, in one very swift motion, pulled two thin and upon first glance indistinguishable items out of his pocket and handed them to me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At first, I was perplexed, he hadn’t given me a gift before. I believe I stared at him in confusion- asking without asking for clarification. He then went on to tell me he bought these for me two years prior on a trip he took to Spain. He and I were very close when he took that trip, I missed him greatly while he was gone. Though, our relationship became increasingly complex between the time he went to Spain and the time he gave me this gift.

He gave me two bookmarks, though I am now only talking about one. This bookmark means a lot to me and has now been in my possession for around four years or so. It has lined the pages of some of my favorite books and has served as a constant reminder of how small gestures can serve as the ones that are the most meaningful.

Prior to my owning of this bookmark, my friend owned them for two years. I believe they likely became objects that blended into his bedroom going unnoticed for awhile. He claims he was too awkward to give them to me, so I imagine from time to time he looked at them and considered giving them to me and then decided against it.

I had never inquired in depth about where he purchased the bookmarks, until now. These bookmarks originated in the south of Spain at the Mosque of Córdoba, also known as the Great Mosque of Córdoba and the Mezquita.

 

This mosque is located in the Spanish region of Andalusia. Looking this Mosque up online, it is breathtakingly beautiful. The architecture is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. It makes me wish I was there too, so many years ago to experience this incredible structure with all of my senses. Although this mosque has a deep religious history, I do not think it necessarily pertains much to my bookmark, it was just a souvenir. Perhaps if my object were of a more religious nature delving into the history here would be worth considering, in this case although, I do not think it is overwhelmingly relevant.

 

I don’t often consider where my objects have originated, even when I bring home souvenirs from other places around the world. I tend to forget how far they have traveled or where they originated until I am asked about them. However, it is remarkable to consider that this object made its way across the Atlantic Ocean, through various airports, spent two years on Long Island and is now currently residing in New Paltz, New York.

It was refreshing to delve deeper into this object I’ve had in my possession for so many years and discover not only where it has came from but also where it has been. I can only wonder where else it will go in its lifetime.