Cool Features Rendered Obsolete

This post is about my cool Peace Corps-issued cellphone.  I’m writing about it because it’s got a great feature: the flashlight.  I love having this flashlight on my phone.  Around here, at night, they don’t seem able to turn on most of the streetlights.  I couldn’t tell you why.  Someone is probably making a buck by leaving them off.  Yet, Azeris seem unfazed by the lack of light at night.  They continue to walk around in their dark clothes, in the dark streets, seemingly unafraid of getting hit by one of the army of out-of-control taxis that patrol the night.

As for me, I stick with my cellphone flashlight.  Even if I’m not safer, it at least makes me feel a little better.  Interestingly, my favorite phone feature in Azerbaijan would be rendered nearly useless in America.  Having working streetlights will make my cellphone flashlight almost obsolete.  Until then, however, I’ll take comfort in knowing that I’ve got a cellphone app you can’t get on an iPhone.