Today is the seventh day for all those who arrived in time for the opening of the Paralympic Village on Saturday. And the seventh day is a day of rest. This is what the bible says. Confucius or at least Mao have probably said similar things. The core message is applicable across cultures.

But knowing what you are supposed to do is not the same as knowing how to do it. For the Thuringian workshop contingent, rest was not easy to come by last night. Instead they were still merrily welding torch brackets for the wheelchairs well after midnight.

Tino is one of the Thuringians, and happens to be sitting three tables away on the terrace. He is nibbling on an exotic treat, like a chocolate bar or something along those lines. As he does so, he looks off into the distance or maybe into nothingness, absorbed in thought until Gernot, the bundle of energy from Greater Berlin comes hurrying from the workshop and calls to him: "Tino, have you seen the orthosis?" He has. They briefly discuss all the required repairs before they both disappear behind the door marked "Staff Only". By the way, I have an appointment with the two of them after their shift to compile photos for newspapers in their respective home towns. So the technicians are also involved in media relations.

Countless young volunteers at these Paralympics seem to be just as resilient. But they also have an ace up their sleeve: They sleep. Probably at night. But also during the day. Time and time again, you see volunteers sleeping in some of the numerous quiet corners around here. They sleep lying on benches. But they also sleep sitting up, mostly in their cafeteria. The two favorite table sleeping techniques are illustrated in the photos of Caj Jinfen, who was kind enough to present the basic and advanced versions during her lunch break: In the basic version, one forearm is extended on the table to support the head. For advanced table sleepers, the forehead is rested on the table while the hands act as light barriers on either side. This allows the volunteers to sleep soundly, albeit briefly.

Today a kitchen helper joined the table sleepers in the canteen. Just as I was wondering if he would get in trouble should the chef happen to catch him, he woke up and strode briskly back into the kitchen. Were my thoughts about the risk to his career too loud? Peter Franzel from the workshop organization team told me that one of our drivers promptly took advantage of a 15-minute stop outside the EU embassy for a nap on the steering wheel. Come to a stop, allow the passengers to disembark, lower the head - all in one smooth motion.

It is said that Indian yogis get more rest in a few minutes of relaxation than we stressed-out westerners do in an entire night. Apparently the Chinese volunteers and drivers are able to do so just as well and just as quickly. I just had a wonderful idea: What if I push my laptop over to the left, extend my right arm, rest my head on it, close my eyes... just for five or ten minutes...