The Cart Cleaner with Cufflinks

A former journalist in Dubai takes pride in his new job on the frontlines

- Gaurav Ghose

Our family of four recently celebrated with biryani and chicken masala and semai payesh the completion of one month of my new part-time job as a cart cleaner and greeter at a grocery and home goods centre near our adopted hometown of London, Ont. I also help out when required in the Home section, reorganize items on the toy racks and support my colleagues in the electronics and photolab department. Pre-pandemic, I had applied to similar jobs but had no luck; the need for such workers is much greater today for obvious reasons.

My drive to work takes me through acres and acres of farmland, flat as a pancake, where the depth of the horizon is at its maximum. I have always loved the blue skies and white clouds, now I love them more. Occasional rain in the darkness of the early morning hours provides a welcome change. I love the drive itself, too. CBC Radio anchors are my companions alongside my own thoughts.