Posts tagged with ‘photos’
The President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, “has also stipulated that at least 20% of all new recruits to the national police force are female. Women are thirsty for the opportunity to protect their communities, although reaching desired numbers is proving difficult: education standards suffered massively during the war and few women have the minimum qualifications needed. Still, many believe that the skills and understanding women have as mothers and household managers make for more effective police officers than their sometimes gung-ho male counterparts.” - Merlin.
Young girls on their way to school in Cape Verde. Photo taken by Cesare Salvetti. I love the colours in this photo.
The Coolest Gas Station in Africa
Even before its refurbishment in 2003, the Fiat Tagliero petrol station in Asmara was one Africa’s most iconic Art Deco structures. Designed by Giuseppe Pettazzi and constructed in 1938, the futuristic building is modelled after an airplane.
During construction, and against Pettazzi’s wishes, wooden pillars were used to support the reinforced concrete wings. On the day before opening the architect ordered the labourers to dismantle the supports. They refused, fearing that the building would collapse. Outraged, Pettazzi pointed a loaded gun at them while standing on the tip of the wing. He threatened to shoot them if they didn’t get rid of the props. The workers complied, and 70 years later the pillarless plane still stands and it still serves gas to local Eritreans.
