Buenos noches para San Miguel.
Day three... We have become aclimatized, if one can, to the rigors of the build here in San Miguel. We know that it will be hot. We know that we will sweat, feel pain and push our bodies to the limit. We know this, we accept this and in some sick portion of out brain we enjoy this.
For the members of site #2 (Paulie´s site) I can say that we had an eventfull and busy day. We have cleared the site, dug the trenches, then re-filled them and started the re-bar. We have moved sand, then crushed stone, then rock and then moved them again. We have moved dirt, brush, sewage and bricks.
We have moved ourselves in the process. One cannot help but be moved by the joy of the children, the pride of the families, the generosity of the people, the families.
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Today we pushed hard and completed the re-bar. In blazing sun the team, mostly Wendy and John, tied in the uprights while the rest of us cut steel and prepared for the dreaded mixing of the cement.
What a job that was!!! There was a big push to get the footings/foundation in so that we could begin laying blocks on Thursday. Much to our dismay our bus arrived and we had to leave the mason and his helpers to finish the last batch of cement without us. I must say though that the work done by the team in the making and pouring of the first three batches was an exhibition of teamwork and perserverance that is seldom seen.
After the debriefing ( you know what that means) in the hotel courtyard and the much needed showers, the team participated in a coffee roasting exhibition hosted by Don Ignacio. He is a part-time coffe seller/grower and has been a wealth of knowledge about San Miguel and El Salvador as well. I can say with truth that his coffee is much better than that served by the hotel.
After dinner "the Don" took the majority of the team to the local corral where we were treated to an exhibiton of bullfighting / bull riding. While this was not a past-time embraced by the group it was pretty neat to see the throng of happy, excited people watching what is for them a nation past-time and celebration of the "Cowboy" life.
While it pains me to say this....four of us...both Dave´s, John and myself, Chris...participated in a pre-bullfight dance off with a lovely and well endowed El Salvadorian songstress. She had each of us follow her gyrations in the center of the arena and I can only imagine the spectacle we presented for the locals. It was all in good fun and it was capped by Dave Gervais winning by crowd approval. Each participant recieved a lovely cowboy hat and Dave G...well Dave recieved a wee kiss from the singing temptress.
All in all it was a good, productive and fun day.
What would be blog from me without a quote??
~ Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need. ~
Kalil Gibrand
No matter where you go people remain the same. They all strive to make their lives and the lives of those that they love better. There is no shame in this. It is in fact one of the basic drives of our species. It is no different here. It appears that you either have a job or your trying to get one. You either sell or look for things to sell. (I will admit I curse the vendor(s) who bike by our site incessantly tooting their horns)
But today, I was approached by a man on our site who told me that he had worked as a carpenter in the US and he wanted to know if I had work for him. While I said no I had to admire him for having the courage to ask. Just like I admire the bike vendors who bike from construction site to site selling their wares. I guess what struck me was that I´m not sure I could swallow my pride and ask someone for something.
One is struck by the poverty that exists here. You cannot look at it and not be affected.
One is also struck but the pride, perserverance and effort shown by the El Salvadorian people. One sees the old man sweeping his porch and his garden while raw sewage and garbage lays in the street. One sees the crisp and clean clothing worn by most every person you encounter. One sees the effects of Civil war, earthquakes, mudslides, gang violence and how these events are dealt with, accepted and overcome.
One sees the smiles and joy and yes pride, in the faces of the families that will for Christmas recieve one of the biggest gifts ever...a new home.
I have no idea how that will feel for them, but yes I feel pride in the fact that in a small way, I have helped them achieve their dream.
I guess what I want to say is that for those of us who have the means, the will, the desire.... to be generous, do so. Those that recieve your generosity will know...it is not from pity that you give... it is from your heart.
Chris
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