Sleeping The Job - No Problem Miss

So from my lounge window I can see workmen replacing the roof on my neighbours house.  Amidst many gasps and holy shits (all mine) I realised this crazy country has no WH&S.  These guys are on the roof, no safety gear balancing quite happily.  One guy stood on one foot, lent out and painted the edging.  Now this wouldn't be too bad except that that foot was balancing on the edge of a very high balcony.  I was transfixed by the workmen for hours, half expecting to have to run out and put my first aid training to use.  Hubby's advice to me that night as I expressed my disbelief to him was simply "close the curtains babe".  Clearly after two years as an expat he is more accustomed to this lack of self preservation than I am.

Two days on and I am hanging out my washing (have yet to hire a maid).   My clothes line is about 3 steps from wild jungle so I am a little jumpy of what might be creeping around.  I hear a noise behind me, coming from under the house.  (The house is high set so has heaps of open space under it).  There I see two men, mats rolled out sound asleep.  Hmmmm do I turn the hose on them.  As I discreetly pegged my delicates out of their line of vision, I snuck a glance over to them.  Sure enough these were two of the same team of dare devils that was replacing the neighbours roof.  I snuck back up to the house and after a quick call to hubby, I was informed that it is quite normal for the locals to be sleeping in the middle of the day.  That I should leave them be, they won't do any harm using the shade of the house.  I must admit I felt more than a little uncomfortable about this situation, but decided to listen hubby's advice for once. 

I now know to expect visitors under the house for a siesta between 12.30 -2pm and while the roof is under construction next door I keep the curtains closed (so as to keep my sanity).  I can only imagine the scene back in Australia if I had employed a tradesman and came home to find them taking a nana nap on the job.  Ohhhh I have so much to learn about this amazing, crazy country.