As an anthropologist-in-the-making in London, I'm really homesick for the conveniences of America. Actually it's not that bad, I live in a flat on top of a college building. The view from my bedroom is the new Olympic stadium. What Olympic organizers aren't telling people is that the Olympic village is in the not-so-nice part of town. Well I guess it's an ok part of town, just more out of the way. Organizers are hoping that the new Olympic village will revitalize the surrounding area. So fingers crossed for them...
This week my anthropological fieldwork consists of working cash-in-hand type jobs. The only rule I set for myself is that I will not do anything sex related, period! The point is to see what it's like to work and survive as an illegal immigrant in London. (As a side note, my research deals with Filipina immigrants in London and how they negotiate shame/debt and duty to their families and social networks in the Philippines and in England). This fieldwork takes a lot of guts and stamina, I've also realized that most days, you come home feeling defeated. Luckily for me, I have my regular documented work to fall back on unlike some of my 'informants'. But all my experiences have made for interesting ethnography.
Random odd jobs I've had this week include (remember it's all cash in hand):
1. Working at a hospital for the day as an ultrasound 'patient' for anaesthetists to practice on.
Six hours of laying on a hospital table = £100 for the day with lunch
2. Ushering a design and architecture event in London = £65 for five hours of work.
3. Participating in a communications study for three hours £10.
4. Pitching and selling electronic cigarettes at a busy London rail and underground station: £26
for seven hours. (This one was the toughest one so far!)
Six days have gone by and it's been really stressful.
3 years ago
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