There are many of these men in Moscow, they come from other far regions of Russia. There job each day from about 5.30 in the morning, is to sweep the streets and to clean away the snow. They do this day in day out in all conditions. I believe they are paid a very small wage. Perhaps they get extra money from the people in the buildings to go onto the roofs and clean the snow from the roof? Snow and ice builds up and damages the roofs and falls onto peoples heads, some people are killed. When you are walking with a child you have to be very careful of falling ice and snow.
I feel very sorry for these guys but a job is a job although, it's sad they must do that each day.
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why are you sorry about them? they are just doing their job. obvious lack of safety ropes is sad as they are risking their lifes but otherwise nothing is wrong with starting your day early, doing physical exercise in fresh frosty air - I have seen this being done in Canada too - with appropriate safety features of course. as to the pay - tip them next time you walk by - in England you do tip bin men, mailmen, milkmen, maids etc - a £10-£20 note in an envelope warms up peoples hearts. enjoy Moscow, otherwise, I just moved in here and cannot believe this city is CENTURIES behind civilisation in most aspects but snow and ice cleaning. Roxanne
ReplyDeleteRoxanne
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that they have to leave their families in other parts of Russia to go to Moscow to do that kind of work because there is nothing for them where they come from.
this is called mobility.
ReplyDeleteyou are away from your home too. don't miss Picasso – just started in Pushkin Museum
Roxanne
Dear English Man in Moscow,
ReplyDeletePerhaps the point wasn't entirely understood therefore unappreciated to your perception, although some good replies surfaced.
But, in all I believe you said it best in your intro: and I quote. "a tongue-in-cheek fun journey into another universe." It's apart of the journey you mention the one your on remember? My hats off to you, although I don't wear many...(hats that is), my head seems too small.
Excuse me for the outbuurst...so back to the my point.
"I feel ya" is a term the young guys and gals use today. So let me say... "I feel ya", meaning, I understand what you are saying. First and for most we must look at that photo.. When I looked at the photo, I didn't much pay attention to the men on top as I was looking at the scene its self thinking it looked dated but nice the buildings were at first glace nice. As I began to read the narration,until the end, I thought of the story of the man that was so rich but lived like a pauper. He didn't want to spend his money in fear of being poor. Thing was, he live his life that way inspite his efforts.
I said that to say, it seems there is a strong contradiction here. You see, the men on the roof, yes are getting paid, but they are risking their lives, there is no apparatus for these men, and than you mention what the purpose is for, in addition you go on to say how the people and their children have to be careful of falling snow and ice, I'm baffled, that this has been going on like this for years. So, others are doing it as well to make sure the snow doesn't get too heavy and cave in injuring/killing all inside but not stopping to think about the lives on the roof that could be lost if one or all were to fall or if that snow did fall on the people below, than you lose and what's their point? Nothing is gained by doing this in the short.
Everyones lives are at stake and do you know why? All because there are no safety measures in place, none. What's wrong with charging the town and purchase safety buckets to take them up and down long apparatus they manuver and blow to get the snow off?
It just seems narrowly minded thought out.
Like the man that didn't want to spend his money but was rich and died a poor man in the end. These people are putting everyone lives in danger and for what a buck?
PS: as far as them leaving their families, that is never anstisapated but necessary.
Signed, a little tongue and cheek of my own.
Not sure I understand any of your reply but thanks and I hope you liked the story.
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