I'm constantly amazed by the ingenuity of our North African hosts, especially when it comes to work. We live in a city of 18+ million people (depending on the time of year ... but that is another story) where jobs are scarce, education levels often minimal and the social net non existent. There are no welfare offices, food banks, food stamps or homeless shelters. If a person wants to get ahead they need to be entrepreneurial and make their own opportunities.
A person may have several jobs to make ends meet. We know some government accountants that repair small appliances on the weekends. Teachers drive tuk tuks or taxis at night. Soldiers wash cars during their home leave.
Because the city is so dense and difficult to travel around, people love having services provided right outside their door. Even better, brought right to their door.
Hence why there are a whole host of professions I've never witnessed in North America.
I'd like to take the next couple of posts to recognize these great individuals and the valuable services they offer.
First up, the knife guy.
Are your kitchen knives dull? Do your hedge trimmers need a sharpening? Have a huge hangnail? Take them to the knife guy! He typically walks up and down the street with his knife sharpening device yelling, 'SHARPEN YOUR KNIVES! SHARPEN YOUR KNIVES!' (roughly translated) For a very small fee the knife guy will collect them from your door, sharpen them extra sharp with his bicycle like sharpener and deliver all your knives back to you.
The guy in the picture above is usually found just outside our favourite Korean BBQ Restaurant. He was very happy to pose for the picture after we explained how underrepresented his profession was in Canada.
Although I've never used your services thank you knife guy for serving us!
A person may have several jobs to make ends meet. We know some government accountants that repair small appliances on the weekends. Teachers drive tuk tuks or taxis at night. Soldiers wash cars during their home leave.
Because the city is so dense and difficult to travel around, people love having services provided right outside their door. Even better, brought right to their door.
Hence why there are a whole host of professions I've never witnessed in North America.
I'd like to take the next couple of posts to recognize these great individuals and the valuable services they offer.
First up, the knife guy.
Are your kitchen knives dull? Do your hedge trimmers need a sharpening? Have a huge hangnail? Take them to the knife guy! He typically walks up and down the street with his knife sharpening device yelling, 'SHARPEN YOUR KNIVES! SHARPEN YOUR KNIVES!' (roughly translated) For a very small fee the knife guy will collect them from your door, sharpen them extra sharp with his bicycle like sharpener and deliver all your knives back to you.
The guy in the picture above is usually found just outside our favourite Korean BBQ Restaurant. He was very happy to pose for the picture after we explained how underrepresented his profession was in Canada.
Although I've never used your services thank you knife guy for serving us!
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