My “apartment” is next to a small de facto trash dump. Every other day or so someone lights the pile on fire. Because we are so close to the ocean there is a good breeze, so I’m probably not breathing in as much of the burning trash as others, but everyone once in a while it gets pretty bad.

A few nights ago I was with a friend driving past the burning trash heap. About 10 kids (estimated ages: 5-13) were playing on a low brick wall a few feet from the heap, watching the flames, breathing it all in. It was painful to see.

I don’t really understand why this is happening to begin with. I think there is some type of government garbage collection service. Maybe it’s not completely up and running yet.