Photographic perspective of Screening Day - Togo 2010

DSC_9451 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

originally written on
February 19, 2010 at 12:40pm

I have to remind myself that there is a purpose to me being here. At this point, I am just filler. Every time I turn to take a decent photograph there are other photographers/journalist/media in the same exact spot. The patients are beginning to feel so embarrassed. You can see it in their eyes. There has to be a safer kinder approach to the way we have been photographing and capturing the images. Some of the people that we are photographing aren’t even going to become patients of the ship. I am discouraged.

I have three months to offer and the results have been dismal. I know that there is a learning curve for everything and perhaps this is exactly what it is like. But when three of my colleagues are in a room that is suppose to promote the greatness are crying, something is going wrong.

The seeds of sorrow while trying to provide a positive voice is not a good idea. Not a good idea at all.

I just want a chance to shine at the work that I do best. To give me the space to shoot and produce something enriching and positive. To show reality for the positive and for the woeful. I’m haunted by the thought that I may have grieved someone during their most woraryful time. They will have great memories of nurses and doctors transforming their lives and I will be the one that snapped a close-up of the ugly tumor while she was trying to be examined. They would have never permitted this in North America, and I am beginning to think that they shouldn’t permit it now in West Africa.

Google Trusted Photographer

In a newly launched multi-city photo program, specially trained Google Trusted Independent Photographers produce 360-degree interactive panoramas of interiors of businesses. The panoramas are uploaded to Google and seen under business listings on Google Maps and Google Places. Businesses get higher visibility when consumers search on Google maps for a particular type of business in a geographic area, since the Google Places listings are found at the top of the results page.

Potential customers get a virtual tour of the business, so that they can imagine themselves being at the location to determine if they want to visit in person. This new program can be found in selected cities and countries. Currently, photographers are documenting businesses in the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, France and the UK. In the U.S., cities included are: Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, the Bay Area, Miami, Denver, Tampa, Orlando, Austin, Salt Lake City, Charlotte, Washington D.C., Boston, Portland, Seattle, Atlanta, and Phoenix.

To be eligible, a business must have a Google Place page listing which is free. Most businesses can participate in this program. Some that have include: restaurants, retail stores, beauty salons, auto dealerships, small dental and medical practices and health clubs such as a yoga facility. Any interested business should ask its local Google Trusted Independent photographer if it is eligible to be photographed. This is a paid service provided by the photographers.

Businesses who want their location photographed can find a photographer on Google’s website at http://maps.google.com/help/maps/businessphotos/get-star .... More information about this program is provided on the Google site http://maps.google.com/businessphotos.

Google Business Photos photographers also provide a set of "Point of Interest" images pertinent to a business such as store hours, menus, awards, and interesting decor. Owners of the business may upload their own photos in addition to the ones provided by the Google photographers.

Google photographers are accomplished independent professional photographers who are participating in this program. They have been specially trained to produce 360- degree panoramas.

Along the Sierra Leone countryside

DSC_2406 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

I miss driving through areas like this. It's been four months and there are still moments in my day where I wish I was off roading down a country road in West Africa.

There isn't anything like it in the planet!

It's some of the best memories I have!

The memories of these roads will bring me great joy in the silver years of my life.

So thankful!

Chimpanzee

DSC_2175 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

" I wanted to talk to the animals like Dr. Doolittle." - Jane Goodall

Amen!

the need to see

DSC_7450 -artsy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

“Not really. Peace Corps types only stay around long enough to realize they’re not helping anyone. Government only wants to stay in power until they’ve stolen enough to go into exile somewhere else. And the rebels, they’re not sure they want to take over, otherwise they’d have to govern this mess. But TIA, right M’Ed?" - Danny Archer

I am sitting in bed with my two younger sisters and re-watching Blood Diamond for the first time since my return home.

The film does give some perspective to the history of Sierra Leone and was a great aide to the timeline in which I came into the country.

I am absorbing this film now, recently returned home, and it sheds a whole different perspective than when I first left a year ago.

None the less, it's not an easy film or country to absorb. It doesn't make anymore sense. I can't offer any new perspectives or insights. I can't agree or disagree. My opinions have yet to be formed.

Chimps in the sky

DSC_2269 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

The Tacugama Chimpanzee Reserve in Sierra Leone.

Truly, one of the coolest places to visit in West Africa. There are dozen of rescued chimpanzees and quite a few that they foster.

You can see chimpanzee flying in the sky!

West African medical needs

DSC_1639 copy_CANTU, 
originally uploaded by Photo2217.


I just watched an episode of Dr. Oz. In the episode he gave away a free blood pressure monitor to everyone in the audience. Immediately, after the announcement, the audience unanimously cheered and applauded. 

instantly, I thought of the blood pressure monitor we have in the bottom of our hall closet. It's used so rarely, that we often have to change the batteries between each us.

Then I was reminded of the few visits I made over at OLA-During. Where the 'lucky' patients (could afford to go to the hospital) were found to have something treatable and have a chance to life.

I didn't see one automatic pressure cuff on the entire floor. What I did see, was a congregation of nurses sharing one manual pressure cuff.

So everyone who attended the Dr. Oz show have the privledge of taking the automatic pressure cuff and storing it in a closet. And hospitals like OLA-During in Sierra Leone still have to share archaic medical equipment.

Perhaps Dr. Oz or the manufacturer could have given the option to have the pressure cuffs donated to those that could truly use them.

remembering Kabala, Sierra Leone

DSC_1270 copy [Desktop Resolution], originally uploaded by Photo2217.

The beauty of the place
Equaled by the difficulties
Surrounding this life
Filled with the noise of natural things-
The pounding of grain like thunder,
Roosters crowing at every mood of the sun,
Fires crackling with ancient memories,
Children laughing and disappearing into tall grasses

by Carrie Young
portion of a poem titled
by the light of the moon.

The Red Door Cafe, San Francisco California

 Friends, this isn’t your ordinary eatery.

I live about an hour outside of san Francisco and had planned on a days adventure in the city. I had grown tired of the same old breakfast joints and for the first time ever went to the internet to hear what others were saying about good breakfast spots. The first yelp response was the little red door café. All the reviews seemed fantastic, and I was sold. This was the place I wanted to try.

We found metered parking on the adjacent street. Walked over and saw a small line (we went on a Thursday) of people standing outside and in line to get into the restaurant. The owner (adorable) greeted every individual (secretly he’s interviewing you) and handed us dolls to care for while we waited in line.

And we waited. At one point my best friend and I looked at each other and telepathically contemplated leaving. But if we figured if we had already been in line for an hour what’s another thirty minutes, right? So we opted to stick it out and see what the big deal was, besides we couldn’t leave the baby dolls that were left in our care.  And we began to find out the closer we approached the door.

The rules of the restaurant had strategically been placed on the window facing the street. It’s a great read, and a reminder that there are still business owners who do what they want, when they want, and want it the way they want it.

We met the owner, and he’s a doll. Truly. An artist in his own right. He has great hair (am jealous). He  gave us the menu to review outside, and to pre-order even before we sat down. So nice of him. He also got us some coffee and a Diet Coke so we could refresh ourselves while we waited. Awesome. He goes all out! The menu is fabulous too. I want to try everything on it, which means I’m going to have to keep coming back and back and back again. Needless to say, I passed the interview! Yes!

The first menu item that popped out to me was, Le Metro Parisien. My best friend ordered this delicious bacon & egg melody. So good too. We truly didn’t know what to expect, and as much as I want to describe the inside of the building, I want you to go, see it for yourself. And I would love to describe the sculpted platters of deliciousness, but it really is a must see. Words will not do it justice.

I ate in complete ecstasy from the very first bite. I didn’t speak to anyone, in fact, I may not even have opened my eyes for the first ten minutes, and purposefully savored every bite of my breakfast. I have been all over the world and have eaten in all kinds of places, but this is truly the best breakfast I have ever had.

I felt as if I was eating a DaVinci. I compare it to Leonardo because the thought that went into the art piece could only be done by a master. This is a must try!!!

Go. Walk. No, wait. Run.

The food was sooooo good, I didn’t want to s^&%t it out.

A Comb in Her Hair

DSC_4464 copy, originally uploaded by Photo2217.

There she is in the middle of the crowded village. She’s not particularly unique. The only thing that distinguishes her from the other adolescents in the village is the comb in her hair. The photo only shares a moment in the time we spent together. I had noticed her from the precise moment we drove up to her home village, she had excitedly placed the comb in her hair. My guess is that she wanted to get dressed up for our welcoming. Assumingly, a simple comb can be a dressy adornment for any occasion. However, her expression in this portrait, adorns her far beyond any cherished comb.