1 Sep, 2007
Photo Hunters: Dirty
Posted by teacherjulie @ 11:46 pm
Shelved under My Thoughts, Photo Hunters, Snapshots
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Every Saturday, members post photos based on a theme. The theme for this Saturday, September 1, 2007 is DIRTY.
The rains have come in this part of the world a few weeks ago. We usually associate rains with cleansing, with being refreshed and with growth. Rains, after all, bring those plus so much more to us.

But with rains, floods are inevitable, especially in low-lying areas, in areas where the respect for mother nature is lost. A few days of heavy rains brought this to a river a block from where we live:

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So you ask, what is dirty here? And this is my answer:

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This is dirty, but no, not the dirty-dirty but another kind of dirty. It could even be dirtier if the water level rose and the people and their houses are swept along. I just didn’t include the part where garbage can be seen floating near the river bank for I don’t want to insult those who would see it. But this is one harsh reality that these people have to live with. I commented to my 12 year old daughter Trixie how these people are somewhat pathetic, living like this. She answered me back in words like these: “Nobody forced them to live there. Its their choice so they have to live with it.” In my mind I asked: “Is it? Their choice? Do they really have a choice?”

P.S. Please visit my other posts/photos which are cleaner :)

This entry was posted on Saturday, September 1st, 2007 at 11:46 pm and is filed under My Thoughts, Photo Hunters, Snapshots. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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1 Sep, 2007 @ 11:58 pm
Mama Bear said:

A river in B’ham, Alabama once flooded a friend’s home. It was very very dirty when the water receeded.
Good choice.
Mama Bear

2 Sep, 2007 @ 12:07 am
Michele said:

Oh wow…. that really is dirty… sad.

2 Sep, 2007 @ 1:08 am
tere said:

hello teacher julie! where do you live? that is not only dirty but can cause health problems as well.

2 Sep, 2007 @ 1:34 am
Carver said:

Very sad and yes it’s dirty. Dirty water is particularly bad and causes all sorts of problems. I’d need to know the context of your conversation with your daughter but my unsolicited opinion is that people don’t always have great choices. Take care, Carver

2 Sep, 2007 @ 4:56 am
And Miles To Go.... said:

what powerful photos! Thanks for sharing that. very sad.

2 Sep, 2007 @ 5:44 am
Sian said:

A powerful and emotive interpretation of a theme, illustrated with great photos. Flood water is indeed very dirty - poor people.

2 Sep, 2007 @ 5:48 am
Paula said:

Sometimes it’s not a choice that is up to them. Sometimes it’s the culture, society, class, lack of options, etc that make the choice for us. It’s sad no matter how you look at it.

Great choice for the photohunt anyhow.

2 Sep, 2007 @ 6:20 am
Teena in Toronto said:

What a hard place to live in.

My dirty pic is up too :)

2 Sep, 2007 @ 7:06 am
BlurMommy said:

I think most of them dun really have a choice. I’m sure they’ll move if given a chance. Anyway, great photos for this week. Have a great weekend! :)

2 Sep, 2007 @ 7:11 am
Julie said:

Good photograph

2 Sep, 2007 @ 8:07 am
Jennifer said:

Good question whether it’s really their choice or not, a lot to think about there.

2 Sep, 2007 @ 8:24 am
Desert Diva said:

Your photos reminded me of the effects of Hurricane Katrina on the people of New Orleans. I seriously doubt that the city will ever be the same

Sadly, poverty defines many aspects of people’s lives - including where they live. There are many who are “trapped within their environment” who dream of a better life.

Great photos and “thinking” topic for this week’s photo hunt!

2 Sep, 2007 @ 11:29 am
KK said:

Hi Teacher Julie,
That’s dirty. It’s sad to say that such a problem can be be avoided by people helping each other clean up.

Btw, about your comment on my blog. It’s really a tough decision. First is you are a gem in the Philippines being a special ed teacher. You are needed in the country however, I do also understand that doors of opportunities are open to you over here. Special ed teachers make more because it tales alot of patience to deal with kids with special needs. I don’t blame you should you consider coming over here for you and the future of your family. In our county alone, there is a long wanted list for Special Ed teachers.

2 Sep, 2007 @ 12:05 pm
jmb said:

Hi Julie, I am glad you escaped the flood at your place but it is very sad to see this terrible situation for these people who are no doubt too poor to do anything about it.

Thanks for visiting.

2 Sep, 2007 @ 12:45 pm
Rach (Heart of Rachel) said:

Hi Julie. It’s really a sad reality. I feel sad that many people endure such a hard life.

A flood like this can bring lots of danger and sickness. May we all be spared from natural calamities.

Thanks for sharing these great photos.

2 Sep, 2007 @ 1:41 pm
mar said:

Reality is dirty and shocking. Feel so sorry for these people, it is dirty and unfair that so much money is wasted in wars and not to help the poor. …

2 Sep, 2007 @ 7:08 pm
Rowena said:

Dirty place indeed…I pity our fellow Pinoys who can’t do anything about their situation be on high tide or low tide, just kidding on the last phrases. Seriously, there are places here in Metro Manila wherein floods are a common sight even without rains…Wondering where the billions of pesos went for flood control projs of the DPWH…

3 Sep, 2007 @ 12:36 am
kissedalotatoads said:

Very powerful indeed. I know when the water recedes, it will be filled with “dirty” everything. I have seen flood damage before and it is a very big mess. Great photos and have a good week.

3 Sep, 2007 @ 9:41 am
MamaBearJune said:

Very sad. And people don’t always CHOOSE to live in places like that.

3 Sep, 2007 @ 9:47 am
Patricia (of Pollywog Creek) said:

What a mess, Julie, and so sad for those who have been flooded. Thanks for stopping by Pollywog Creek, earlier. Tell your son that driving a truck is very hard and very dirty work! =)

3 Sep, 2007 @ 12:40 pm
changeiam said:

Being in a flood is definitely no fun and its definitely a dirty affair cleaning up

3 Sep, 2007 @ 1:19 pm
eastcoastlife said:

Floods cause damages and destroys homes. Nobody would choose to live in disaster areas, it is so sad when people are poor and have no choice.

Have a great week ahead, Julie!

3 Sep, 2007 @ 11:55 pm
Shawna said:

Very good choice although what a scary place to live. Thanks for stopping by!

4 Sep, 2007 @ 2:43 am
Lauren@Baseballs&Bows said:

How sad! It is so difficult to imagine the challenges that others face. Thanks for sharing this with us.

20 Oct, 2007 @ 10:04 pm
Bengbeng said:

we face this problem sometimes too…always a worry

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