Workers along the banks of one of Bangkok’s many canals.

Taken while passing by in a boat at a surprisingly high speed.

I knew there were some people in some countries who are in a bad situation. But it’s not until you see these sort of things first hand that you really understand it. We took a river “cruise”–I say “cruise” because the boats blast along so fast it’s difficult to take a photo–and saw some eye opening sights.

Earth movers mostly underwater, power lines floating dangerously close to the water, sewers with cracks that you can easily see and probably many more you can’t, kids who will never go to school and while away their days swimming in the filthy water in just their underwear. These are all normal sights; the thing is, I don’t remember seeing anyone actually looking unhappy.

Even though the conditions may look terrible to us, the people actually in these conditions every day get by and still manage to be happy. Which, really, is probably something that a lot of people living in “first world” countries–myself included–need to pick up on.

While walking back to our hotel after a long day at Luzern, I noticed the sun was casting some great shadows and was a beautiful colour. The combination prompted me to snap quite a few shots in this light.

Just a few minutes earlier I had been swilling a large beer from a can while walking down the street — perfectly normal. We also passed a large group of homeless beggars outside a church or town hall.

This was our last day in Bern and pretty much the last photo I took in the country (other than some documentary shots). I like the colours, lines and shapes and the way they all intersect with one another.