Journal Entry 5

March 2, 2007

Chapter 5. Our Nights

"Adaption" was a real important component of survivng. Trying to change the given conditions was impossible; therefore, being able to adapt to awkward and unwanted situations was the best way. When I think of adaption, it gives me sense of instinctiveness and naturality. However, based on the content, adaption at the camp was not a gradual process of changing over time, but it was a forced requirement in a short period of time. I guess in some ways adaptaion can be something that occurs in a small amount of time, but it still seems quite strange to me. Being forced to adapt, or else die - is that really justifiable?

The nights were not easy or comforting. The people had to even adjust to the night time. Since there weren't enough rooms, two people had to share one bed, but if lucky not. Sleeping a certain way and trying not to think too much were the two hardest tasks to overcome at night. I thought that exhaustion from the day's work would have deprived them of thinking because usually when I'm really tired, I would fall asleep right away. However, it was different for their case. Every night would be a struggle to fight, just as life at the camp was like war.

Memorable passage:
One can hear the sleepers breathing and snoring; some groan and speak. many lick their ilps and
move their jaws. They are dreaming of eating; this is also a collective dream.
It is a pitiless dream which the creator of the Tantalus myth must have known. You not only see the
food, you feel it in your hands, distinct and concrete, you are aware of its rich and striking smell... Then
the dream disolves and breaks up into elements...every night and for the whole of our sleep.