Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Study in contrasts

.
Here's a shot of the railroad tracks in Oshodi, before and after the area's recent transformation. (Notice the same mango tree down the tracks to the right.) The vendors would move their wares aside twice a day when the train rolled by, then move right back and resume selling.
.
During the last 3 months, the Lagos State government has embarked on an agressive and high-profile effort to rid the city of hawkers and street traders, including those in famously-congested Oshodi.
.
.

Which city would you rather live in? Perhaps neither? Perhaps something in between these two extremes?

Speaking of photos, I am posting some of my favorite pictures of Lagos street vendors here.

.

3 comments:

  1. Hey Sean--Still reading and enjoying your posts. If you haven't seen this series, thought I'd point it out. I haven't had the chance to read it yet:

    http://www.slate.com/id/2214412/entry/0/

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Chip -- good to know someone out there is reading, and you especially.

    I devoured the Salon series, btw. Lagos is hot!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I looked at the pictures! Beautiful colors!

    ReplyDelete