The Grind (April 13)

I should apologize maybe for not blogging consistently. But sometime I find it hard to make time to write, even though I really enjoy it. It is often on the weekends that I have the most time to sit with my computer and let other things go. So it is with the prospect of Easter weekend, I have no school and time to recreate. Thank goodness for time off.

Which brings me to the point of this blog entry. I have become friends with some of the building caretakers. (Pictured is Gustavo, the building maintenance dude and Maximo, one of the concierges.) One in particular makes me laugh. For me, Don Gustavo has been a source of good humor and (yet) the reality of life here in Chile. I became friends with him the day I realized we passed each other every morning on our walks to work. I didn't realize until about a week of school went by. Then one morning I saw him, he smiled wryly and winked at me. Back at the apartment building after school, I greeted him (for the first time). I told him that I hadn't seen him on my way before. Smacking his hand to his forehead, he told me to walk with my head up!

I like Gustavo and frequently talk with him. I am amazed by his schedule. He arrives at the apartment building around 7:30 AM and works until 10:00 PM! Fourteen hours a day seems unreasonable!! But he also works 7 days a week!!! His good-natured response to my shock was that it keeps his 53-year-old body in good shape. I just asked him if he had time off for Easter. Nope! Not even Easter Sunday!! His response -- He likes to spread out his sleep, why would he want 24 hours all together. Then he said that if he asked for a day off they might hire someone to replace him, but not just for the day.

Time is precious. We only get so much. We need to appreciate all we have. Gustavo does.