Holy Garbage!

I am appaled on a daily basis by the pollution in this city - and I don't even really care about the environment. People literally live in mountains of garbage, there is a constant layer of smog, and open sewage is a common sight.  Occassionally, I get stuck behind a garbage truck and I think "Really? What's the point?" I have come to the conclusion that being a garbage collector in Luanda must be the worst job on the planet. It seems like an insumountable task. Last week, a large pothole emerged outside my house, and it was immediately filled with trash by the following morning. There were bicylcles, boxes, small creatures, you name it. I mean, where did all that stuff even come from?

I have to assume that part of the problem is that this city was built to accomodate 1 million people but is now home to 8. The other problem is the human factor. In general, people here have very little respect for their environment. Littering is rampant and so is excess use of electrcity and gas (if you have it). Eventhough is't about 90 degrees here, I am constanrly shivering because anyone who has an air conditioner feels the need to have it on full blast all the time - just because they can. I suggested to my co-workers that we turn the AC off when we leave at night, which did not go over well. This one might be a losing battle.