On my way to class I happened upon this scene. After a long morning which starts early for the crew working in front of the apartment building, usually around 7:00 am, it is time for a bit of a break. Since the workers work late into the day, often past darkness sets in, the workers grab a bit of rest when they can, and where they can. Yes, that is a brick that is being used as a pillow. The scene is quite foreign to people from the western world. It serves as a reminder to me, that I am in a different country that has a different way of living, not better or worse, just different.
Today was the last work day for us for the week. Our work week as teachers goes from Monday to Thursday giving us three-day weekends. Of course we are busy with filling out all kinds of documents as we prepare to submit our term plans and have enough lessons ready for the next teaching week. Life as a teacher in China is the same as it is in Canada – as much work outside of the classroom as within the classroom.
When I look at that guy taking a nap on the bricks, all I can think of is how resourceful the Chinese are, and how opportunistic one needs to be in whatever economic or social situation one is in. I recently read an article that says businesses are coming to respect workers who nap during their breaks. Now all I need is a sheet of wood and some bricks….*snore!*
Something tells me that it wouldn’t take much to make sleep come, Lawrence, bricks for pillows or cardboard for mattresses or not. When one is tired, end of story, sleep time.