It seems I’m on a bit of an African theme. Many of my previous travel photos were lost when our external hard-drive crashed and other various things went awry and so I’ve decided to focus on what’s still present and in front of me, instead of what’s gone. Besides, I think it’s a good metaphorical lesson on how to view life as well…

This photo, like the Tanzania ship building one I posted a few days ago, is from that same 2007 trip in Africa. I think what often happens is that while I’m in the place, I think I’m absorbing what I’m seeing. In fact, it somehow becomes commonplace, or at least normal somehow…because of course it is normal for wherever I am.

But it’s back home, here in my little office with my laptop and all the other luxuries that our developed status in the world affords, that I see these pictures like I couldn’t see them when they were live and in front of me.

I guess it’s all about context.

Anyways, this is a very typical taxi in Malawi. It is something to behold to see a woman all dressed up and riding that back padded seat while being pedalled around to the shops and her errands. There are very few people who can afford a car and even the luxury of this type of taxi is reserved for the select few.