Cared for

I went to the nail salon today to have that rock-hard polish removed and my nails trimmed.  I mentioned before that all the staff of the salon are Vietnamese.  Doing manicures and pedicures doesn't keep these women from chatting constantly in their native language, making for a lively work day.  Then my Vietnamese hair cutter dropped in from next door and joined the gabfest.  I think it's lovely that they all have each other for company.

Walking back home I passed this little garden that someone is tending very carefully, watering and protecting it from the searing afternoon sun on its west-facing plants.  This is one of the ground-floor apartments that has its own outside access and a covered porch  It would be lovely to have one of these, but of course they are the most expensive flats in the building.