Competition

[webofevil]

There are ads on the Underground for New Zealand. They feature a picture very similar to this one:

and the strapline, "CAN YOU IMAGINE A BETTER JOURNEY TO WORK?"

That's your challenge right there. Can you? Here's my suggestion.

Fig. 1: The luge	Fig. 2: The luge (reverse view)

Comments

[webofevil.livejournal.com]

So your fieldwork was on the much-debated swing/roundabout interface?

[uitlander]

Pretty much. The walk to the bottom of the hill took about 45 mins over fairly rough ground. Then I zig-zagged up the road, stopping at strategic wheezing points to 'admire the view'. Arriving at the top (the dots on the horizon are the outlying huts of the village) would lead to an extended chat with the post mistress (who thought I was her best mate), the chief of police (who strutted around the village in his uniform [gold epaulettes mandatory]), and then retire to the Sehonghong café and general store for cans of 'nice' warm lager (kept in the fridge with no power supply). My great contribution to Basotho civilisation was showing them how to make chips in the café kitchen - an instant hit. On the downside were the -25°C nightime temperatures, acute constipation brought about by a diet predominantly consisting of meallie meal, and the tick that munched away part of my left ear-drum.

The place was, however, absolutely stunning, and I'd be back there like a shot given half a chance. There is nothing quite like spending 3 months on a hillside gently sorting finds, laughing, teaching students life's essentials (like how to roll a joint properly), conducting surveys on horseback and being nowhere near phones/faxes/e-mail. Being best mates with the village chief (who has an extreme fondness for the contents of your wallet) helps immensely.