Friends

I found these two while I was roaming the streets of Huambo, in the middle of Angola. This area suffered greatly during the war, and the episodes people have been telling me are too horrible for words. The war ended in 2002, with the death of Unita leader Jonas Savimbi. These two guys probably never had to deal with any of the horrors, and they are normal children, just like any others in any part of the world. Playing, going to school and wanting their picture taken. The city is also showing ever less signs of war. The building in the back is still scarred by bullet holes, but the one on the right looks brand new. It's like this all over town. Little by little, bad memories and signs of them disappear. Time (and in this case a lot of money) heals all wounds.

Jorge Tristão

I'm back in Luanda, organizing for a journey across the country. Yesterday night, I was downtown at a the Zanzibar, for an expat's farewell party, and I say this guy. He was wearing a bow tie and jacket and all, but finished it all off tropically with a pair of bermuda shorts and flip flops (although very stylish ones at that). When I saw him leave, I went after him and asked him if I could take his picture right there and then. We looked for an illuminated shop window and this is the result. His name is Jorge Tristão, and he's in advertising. Thanks Jorge.

Karina

I met Karina Silva in Luanda in June, where I interviewed her for a piece I did on Angolan women. A couple of days ago, I got a call from an agency asking me if I was available to shoot some photos of a model at the Moda Lisboa fashion event here in Lisbon. It was a big surprise to see the model was Karina. This photo is an impromptu shot of her in the VIP bar when the show after the one she was in was on its way, leaving the bar empty.