‘Mansion Grove’ in Mess
Posted : March 24, 2005 at 11:36 pm [IST]
With a bright sun after almost 3-4 days, all the activities in the constructions of residential complexes on my morning walk route have started. All the buildings are basking in the sun. The brightness is evident on the faces of the construction workers too. Most of them are immigrants perhaps from Mexico. For last few days they have not worked. And in a country of hire and fire, I am sure they would not get any thing for the days they could not work as it was drizzling. I am sure the meteorology department would have predicted clear sky and no rains for the coming days, so they have come to work.
All the houses in Mansion Grove are getting refurbished with all the planks replaced on all outside surfaces. Window frames are also being replaced. Perhaps it is based on the life of the construction. I don’t find any deterioration as otherwise. The contractor has taken many houses at a time. And they are working in a line production type of set up where each man is trying to complete his work. That is one reason that they are taking so much time and causing inconvenience to the residents.
How can you enjoy if the house gives a look of one under construction? Particularly for persons like me on a holiday with my son and nothing to do in the daytime but for reading and surfing, it is an awesome experience.
But let me tell you I am enjoying it and trying to increase my general knowledge about the construction technology. I wish they would have taken one building at a time and completed work faster. I feel like talking to the contractor or the authority here. But as usual I hesitate and keep it only to my blog page. Unfortunately, the technology has still not developed some (affordable practical) gadget to break the barrier of communicating with people not conversant with each others languages. I would have loved to talk with these workmen and know about their earnings, their living conditions, about their family back home or here and why they are doing some thing here in a particular manner. I would have learned better.
I read today only about maquiladoras in Mexico. I would have loved to know more about that from these Mexicans, if at all they are Mexicans, as I never confirmed it from anyone.
I can say one thing that they are very conscious and courteous. As soon as I come out when the work is going on, they stop work. One person, who may be their leader, starts blowing whistle so that the safety aspect is ensured.
I had wished they would finish the work on the window that they have dismantled by the end of the day, as the night is still cold. I was sure they will do that. And then I was amazed to find them finishing the work on the window in an hour’s time. They really work hard, and so perhaps are paid well.
- Indra
Category: IRS in US '05 |
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