ROADWORKS

One day we were, as usual, merrily travelling along our local “highway” – heavy peak-hour traffic as usual with patient drivers listening to a cacophony of drumbeats, rhythmically nodding their heads and drumming their steering wheels.  The sounds were kindly shared by these drivers who were transported along their weird and wonderful journeys of blissful oblivion!

There appeared from nowhere, men with orange jackets – these men with white markers and tripods were marking places along the roadside.  Drivers casually saw them, not really grasping what was to come.

Yellow tape was gaily strung along the roadside limiting our regular flow of traffic to a lane or two; normal road markings were eliminated and we were guided by danger signs and white barrels.  Traffic slowed down to walking pace and drivers either impatiently drummed their fingers, or listened to their favourite radio station.  No use getting ourselves into a panic or a frenzy – everyone eventually gets where he or she wants to be, even though it may be a little (or a lot) later!

Palm trees which grew on the sidewalk, were hoisted away with cranes, to be relocated to greener pastures.   See, we don’t limit our green-feelings only to wild animals!  Great bulldozers roared - a herd of wild elephants was on its way!  Great mounds of sand and rubble were scraped away and moved a couple of meters onwards; front-end loaders flashing their mighty teeth reared their gigantic heads, greedily grabbing  mouthfuls of earth carting them to waiting trucks.  The noise level increased by several decibels …

Soon, the first group of men were replaced by teams of workers : each one lazily and leisurely digging and picking away at our once-upon-a-time roads.  About fifty workers, each one knowing what to do, even though to the ignorant spectators it appears to be a slow-motion drama unfolding before our eyes.  Every day progress is noted and one can appreciate that they actually DO seem to know what they are doing!

In a month or two, all these operations will be memory, and we shall have forgotten the frustration and late appointments caused by the roadworks!  Hopefully the peak-hour traffic will move at a more rapid pace, and all will be NORMAL!

What is NORMAL I ask myself.  Is NORMAL the everyday occurrence to which we have all become accustomed , or is it perhaps some future vision which we have, imagining the perfect life!

Linnie

9 july  2O15