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Hanoi tracks

January 31st, 2009 - 12:55am

A typical street scene, easily visible while crossing the road. Hanoi, Vietnam.

I’d seen pictures of scenes like this before — mostly in India — but never expected to not only see one first hand but be virtually in the thick of it. I don’t know whether trains frequent these tracks but given that they aren’t totally covered I am lead to believe they travel along the tracks at somewhat regular intervals.

The people here obviously know the schedules, as they don’t appear in any way to be bothered by the chance of an incoming train. Coupled with the probable low speed of trains in such a dense and busy area, and the “free” land available, it makes perfect sense to use land in this way.

I like how everyone in this shot is going about their business: People riding bikes along the tracks, someone walking, another rummaging and one even sitting atop the pile of what I assume is garbage. It certainly didn’t smell bad.

Tags: asia 2008, hanoi, motorbike, people, photoblog, rubbish, traintracks, vietnam