Many of the workers live right in the heart of the city, yet few ordinary Beijing residents ever glimpse their crowded barracks, where privacy, cleanliness -- even meat -- are luxuries.

• 很多农民工就住在城市的中心，但普通的北京居民很少瞥一眼他们那些拥挤的临时住房，隐私、清洁、甚至是饭菜中有肉对他们来说都是奢望。