Working in a purpose built school means 99% of things are well constructed and in fully functioning order. However, step outside and it’s amazing how many corners are cut to save time and money. The Vietnamese have a very make do and mend attitude – a thrifty nation who will reuse and recycle anything they can to save a dong or two thousand. A former colleague and ISO 9001 aficionado would have a field day here, on his own personal mission to ensure all things health and safety are brought to the masses.
A couple of weeks ago, whilst waiting at my favourite frappuccino stall for a hit of caffeine creaminess, I watched open-mouthed as a young lad was lowered down a four storey building on a very basic harness, with only a pot of paint and roller for company. Barefooted, he slowly worked his way down the face of the building coating it in a rather garish shade of what I imagine is branded as ‘Google l green’. His friend stood precariously on the flat roof of the building, clutching the end of the ‘piece of string’ from which our painter was suspended. Before I knew it my frozen frap was ready and I wandered back to school, giving the building a wide berth, wondering what would happen when he neared the base (which housed a canopy and fruit stall beneath). There don’t appear to be any green footprints visible, so I assume he was lowered to the road successfully, rather than doing a Spiderman impersonation back to the roof. To all those who thought I was crackers for sky diving and bungy jumping take note: this is far more dangerous.
On the same street, whilst waiting for a chicken kebab (a favourite lunch time nibble for our teachers) I saw Vietnam’s answer to BT: three men who looked like they were competing in a tug of war competition as they pulled with all their might on a power cable. Their colleague meanwhile was perched across the road on a bamboo ladder which leant precariously against a telegraph wire. From here he cut one of the fifty or so wires that were wound round the pole. Any Guider would have been shocked by the disorganisation and distinct lack of square lashing! I had visions of it all going terribly wrong, the three men falling in to the middle of the road as the tension on the wire vanished and an angry local running out of their flat shouting something about their electricity not working! Alas, this didn’t happen – somehow it all seemed to go smoothly.
Loosely translated: High voltage lethal
As you know (from ‘random observations’ post - Thursday, 31st March 2011) pavements here can resemble obstacle courses. Amongst the usual things you find on them (scooters, street sellers etc) you occasionally stumble (quite literally) upon others that really ought to be elsewhere. People repairing scooters, cutting fruit with their machetes, and using highly toxic spray paints (without any safety equipment of course) are a few that spring to mind. Granted, the instructions may say ‘use in a ventilated area’, but I don’t think they quite meant the middle of Tran Hung Dao Street! Laying concrete bare-footed is also common place here – madness! Using an umbrella can be an interesting experience as bare wires hang at head height and create some impressive sparks when the rain comes.
During our time in Hanoi, Mr Amy and I found ourselves frequently crossing the train lines that divide the city. Cutting across the middle of Dien Bien Phu, pedestrians and traffic alike merrily go on their way, tootling across the tracks. Don’t get me wrong, the usual level crossing signs and gates do exist (even if they are a little flimsy), but we never did see anyone working there. Some locals live only a few metres from the tracks, hanging their laundry up and washing their dishes as trains speed by.
No comments:
Post a Comment