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The Colombian economy is booming. In fact, it is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Quarterly growth rates are over 10%, exports have augmented about 35% compared to last year, and the stock exchange is hitting all-time highs month after month. However, with about 400,000 refugees fleeing into the capital every year, and an unemployment rate of almost 20%, the average citizen does not notice much of the economic growth. As a labourer ('obrero'), or basically in any job that does not require a university degree, all you can expect to earn is a minimum wage, which is about US$ 150 a month. A large part of the population supports their entire family on these wages. In the rich neighborhoods, where people spend this much on a dinner in a restaurant, this would almost be impossible to imagine, were it not for the crowds of homeless people flocking the streets and recycling every bit of garbage they can find in order to survive. It is not surprising that the division of wealth over the population in Colombia is one of the worst in the world: One rich Colombian earns on average 58x the amount of money on which a poor Colombian survives.

Best,

Niels

www.niels.com

The 'photo of the month' is not meant as something pretentious, it is not even chosen by any jury. It could be an advertising photo I did, or a photo for a magazine or record cover. Something telling you of a journey I made or the city I'm in. Or a snapshot of my girlfriend. The only criterium it has to meet is that it was made in the last month. And that I believe it is worth bothering you with...
I am very sorry for the not-very-personal tone and character of this mail - you may or may not remember me, we might have met in some sleazy bar in some part of the earth and exchanged emails, we might be colleagues or best friends, or just share an interest in photography. We might have worked or even lived together in the past.
Of course, if you would not like to receive any more mails just let me know and I will remove you from the list.
And if you know of other people that might like to receive it please let me know as well...
Thanks for your time and hope you are well!