“Normal is an ideal. But it’s not reality. Reality is brutal, it’s beautiful, it’s every shade between black and white, and it’s magical. Yes, magical. Because every now and then, it turns nothing into something.”
― Tara Kelly, Harmonic Feedback
It’s easy to get caught up in how normal or abnormal a different life lived might be. I would like to think that in general I live a fairly normal life. I get up, do my stretches, eat breakfast, go to work..work..toil..worry..stress…eat lunch…work some more, come home, eat dinner and go to bed. It’s my routine and I’m comfortable with it.
In the process of doing what I do, I will sometimes pass by lives, actions, ideals and philosophies that sometimes feel incredibly abnormal. I might at times feel saddened by the brutality of it all, the abnormality and chaotic nature of it all. I have to force myself to put the brakes on because what is normal to me now, might have at one point not so long ago, appeared to be very abnormal. This life I lead right now often presents to me situations that do not feel normal at all. When I visit some of the places I visit, a part of me screams inside my head that, “THIS IS NOT NORMAL!!”
I have to ask myself what is normal? What is routine? Who am I to make that call?
So Makoko Stilt Village part 2.
We visited the village in a traditional canoe which allowed us to see more of the area and see how this community really lives. We visited a maternity ward, a school, passed by local markets and we were able to get an authentic feel for the lives being lived here. To me interesting and lives uniquely lived. There is no argument to that statement. Except maybe to the people who are living that life. Their routines are no more abnormal to them than mine is to me.
It is brutal, it is beautiful, it is every shade of black and white.
The more I travel and the more I see, the more I realize that in the middle of every single place I visit, exist regular people doing what is normal to them. They all have a voice and they all have a story. It’s crazy that I have to remind myself of this so often.
But on the other hand, in the midst of the chaos, you find normal people. You find people who are willing to risk their lives to tell you what they saw, even though they have no dog in the fight.
John Pomfret
Other routines.
rfljenksy - Practicing Simplicity 
Like and agree with the Kelly words – really enjoyed these very well captured pics… 🙂
Thanks. I love that quote!!! I think that my blog is the only place I use more visual than words. I tend to over communicate!!! Thanks for commenting.
Some really interesting images. Nicely done.
Thank you!
Your welcome. And thank you 🙂