Renovating the Theater

The theater for the diocese is being renovated. It is very old and has been in disrepair for a number of years. I looked closely at it today.

When I walked up to the theater, my eye was drawn to the guys doing the roof. Yes, they are attached to the top by ropes and they use power tools to attach the tiles. Everyone either wears flip-flops or goes barefoot. I'm not sure this is OSHA approved.

I talked briefly with the foreman. Here he is on scaffolding checking the cement work on the wall. The safari, hat ,while hard, is not for safety, but to keep his head cool.

A far view of the theater. It was built by the French and even has a relief of Napoleon on the front arch.

Above is a view of the partially finished side wall. The bricks have been cemented over. All of the smoothing of the cement is done by hand. ON the left is the exposed old brick wall. All buildings seem to be done like this, bricks on the inside and then cement layered over. It certainly takes care of any termite and ant problem.

A better view of the intricate cement work done by the original craftsmen. The yellow is a typical color in Vietnam for many buildings and all of the buildings in the cathedral complex have red roofs.