Team Tony arrived on site after another breakfast of huevos, beans and plantain. Good energy food! Everyone worked with the masons to get a row of U-brick in place. We helped to put up El Salvadorian scaffold...blocks and wood planks. Stanislaw started to put in the conduit for electric. So gratifying to see the house take shape. Arminda fed us plantain with a yogurt dipping sauce...yum yum. The girls went for a walk to give out candy to the neighbourhood kids. Got some wonderful pictures! They are so appreciative of something so small. Young and old love candy here and they love to pose with us for pictures. The Habitat crew arrived to start setting up for the closing party. A tent, tables and chairs were set up on the street and soon all the neighbourhood was coming to check things out. Right about this time the ice cream cart drove by and the team treated all to popsicles. Arminda had dressed her daughters in clean clothes and soon after they were covered in chocolate!! Team Paulie arrived with the masons and Julia´s family from the other site. Despite thinking we ate all day and took afternoon siestas, all were impressed with the progress of our build. We ate a lunch of tortillas, rice, and chicken altogether: builders, Arminda and Julia´s families, and the masons. Extra plates of food were shared with the neighbourhood friends who had gathered. That was nice! After lunch, the Habitat team had some kind words of appreciation and best wishes. Julia and Adan spoke on behalf of their families. Stanislaw spoke to us about how much he enjoyed teaching us and how much he learned from us. He had a special mention for Gerry´s expertise too. Tony and Paul spoke on behalf of their respective team. Tony summed it up well when he told them we all go home better people. Then came the really hard part...goodbye! These people opened their hearts and took us in. We came to help build a home for two families. A gift that many here can only dream of. In return they have given us so much more!!
We are all drained. Spending time relaxing in our usual spot...the hotel courtyard enjoying pre-dinner refreshments. Will have supper and wander over to the fair down the street where Johnny has told us we can buy local crafts with no gringo tax. Tomorrow night is Carnival, the biggest in Central America, and when the 350,000 population of San Miguel swells to over one million. We are all looking forward to heading to the coast in the morning for R&R, mojitos, and getting some colour on our blanco gringo skin!! Goodnight to all back home and see you Monday!!
RITA
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