Several days of harvesting garden, gathering eggs, bartering for milk and occasionally volunteering work on the community center did not generate much income. We were all short of money and decided that Lance, Alison and I would head to Osoyoos, another area where many growers needed help with harvesting. We left early in the morning and arrived in time to begin work. Not knowing which work would be best we headed into the biggest vineyard. We crossed through a barbed wire topped gate. The whole compound seemed to be ringed by a tall fence . It felt like we were entering a prison. We did get hired right away and were shown a two room tent on a platform where we would stay. We stashed our gear and boarded a flat bed truck with over a dozen other workers.
We proceeded to head off into the vineyards. This fortress like place likely comprised many square miles since as far as we could see in any direction were no signs of a boundary. We finally came to a stop and unloaded. Picking was not the task. Instead we were given small clippers and shown how to identify suckers. These were small branches that sprouted from the main vine. Clipping them off allowed the vine to put its energy fruiting. Each worker was placed into a row and headed off. The straw boss would then drive his vehicle around to the other side where the row ended. Lance, Alison and I were not assigned adjacent rows. When a worker emerged from a row the straw boss would point out the next row to head back into the direction from where you started. This continued till a lunch break. We ate in the field and after a short break began our task again. The work was tedious but conditions were pleasant. It was shady and cooler underneath the grape foliage. At some point, the three of us found ourselves in adjacent rows. We called ourselves to a break and gather under one row and just laid back for a spell. When some sprinkles turned on we finally decided break was over and went back to our respective rows and continued down the line. When we emerged there was no sign of straw boss, truck or other workers. We looked as far as we could and saw no sign of anything except fields being irrigated. We decided work was over and made our way on foot back to our tent.
Next thing you know, an official looking guy probably a manager shows up and questions, “ What are you guys doing back here.” We explained we had lost our crew and seeing that the sprinklers were on, we figured work was done. He led us up what looked like an airport control tower and pointed in the distance to what vaguely looked like our work truck. It was so far away we could see no evidence of workers. He assured us they were there. He decided our pay would be docked for our missing time. We were OK with that and asked for our money, so we could go to town and buy some groceries. He pointed to the gate that was now closed and locked. Their rule was the gate was open from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Other times workers could neither come or go. What looked like a prison compound was now beginning to feel like one. We decided this was not for us, quit the job, collected our pay, and were let go. It did not take long to collect our gear and make an escape.
Still having time we began our search for more employment. Near the town of Osoyoos we found an old motel like place with a sign advertising help wanted. We stopped and found jobs picking tomatoes. The old motel was used to quarter the workers and pickers were paid by the hour. Most important we were not fenced in and were free to come and go after work. Presently there were no rooms available but we were free to camp on the lawn. We set up a spot just as the crews were returning. The evening was lively and the collection of transients, migrants, and young folks like ourselves gathered around campfires, ate, sang, and enjoyed each others company. We wondered whether the folks back at the fortress we left earlier were enjoying as much. Eventually our site quieted down and folks retired to gain rest for next days labor.
We proceeded to head off into the vineyards. This fortress like place likely comprised many square miles since as far as we could see in any direction were no signs of a boundary. We finally came to a stop and unloaded. Picking was not the task. Instead we were given small clippers and shown how to identify suckers. These were small branches that sprouted from the main vine. Clipping them off allowed the vine to put its energy fruiting. Each worker was placed into a row and headed off. The straw boss would then drive his vehicle around to the other side where the row ended. Lance, Alison and I were not assigned adjacent rows. When a worker emerged from a row the straw boss would point out the next row to head back into the direction from where you started. This continued till a lunch break. We ate in the field and after a short break began our task again. The work was tedious but conditions were pleasant. It was shady and cooler underneath the grape foliage. At some point, the three of us found ourselves in adjacent rows. We called ourselves to a break and gather under one row and just laid back for a spell. When some sprinkles turned on we finally decided break was over and went back to our respective rows and continued down the line. When we emerged there was no sign of straw boss, truck or other workers. We looked as far as we could and saw no sign of anything except fields being irrigated. We decided work was over and made our way on foot back to our tent.
Next thing you know, an official looking guy probably a manager shows up and questions, “ What are you guys doing back here.” We explained we had lost our crew and seeing that the sprinklers were on, we figured work was done. He led us up what looked like an airport control tower and pointed in the distance to what vaguely looked like our work truck. It was so far away we could see no evidence of workers. He assured us they were there. He decided our pay would be docked for our missing time. We were OK with that and asked for our money, so we could go to town and buy some groceries. He pointed to the gate that was now closed and locked. Their rule was the gate was open from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Other times workers could neither come or go. What looked like a prison compound was now beginning to feel like one. We decided this was not for us, quit the job, collected our pay, and were let go. It did not take long to collect our gear and make an escape.
Still having time we began our search for more employment. Near the town of Osoyoos we found an old motel like place with a sign advertising help wanted. We stopped and found jobs picking tomatoes. The old motel was used to quarter the workers and pickers were paid by the hour. Most important we were not fenced in and were free to come and go after work. Presently there were no rooms available but we were free to camp on the lawn. We set up a spot just as the crews were returning. The evening was lively and the collection of transients, migrants, and young folks like ourselves gathered around campfires, ate, sang, and enjoyed each others company. We wondered whether the folks back at the fortress we left earlier were enjoying as much. Eventually our site quieted down and folks retired to gain rest for next days labor.
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