Thursday November 25

You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do

nothing for him.

 — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

Thursday started with the usual greetings over eggs, beans, and toast..The team was refreshed after a great night of watching four Canadians ¨represent¨ their contigent to the best of their collective ¨abilities¨ while dancing with the El Salvadorian ¨Brittany Spears¨ Oh what a sight...You Tube will be proud.

 

Once we arrived at Casa Julia, Team Paulie got to work moving the brick that didn´t needed to be moved on the actual day they arrived, we were just learning to be flexible because that´s what the manual says to be.

The brick moving was followed by some brick re-arranging so that our mason could get ready to start laying his first course of brick.   Once the first course was laid, some of us were tasked with filling each and every space in and around each brick.  This  tasked was reserved for those of us who can actually focus on the tasks for more than a minute or two. Safe to say I stuck to lifting things.  Someone did manage to sneak in a toony for good luck...



Then we were asked to dig up the floor we already worked on  since the level had changed.... nothing like hauling and digging dirt after you already mentally checked out of that task...Did we mention the flexible thing yet...Once the minute or two of venting stopped.. the team pulled together strong and got the  floors dug out to the proper level so that we could begin moving more sand across our lot and start fillng in the rooms up to the first course of brick. Did we mention that it´s only 34 degrees with no cloud. 

 

All this and we still had time for some of us to walk the neighbourhood to check out the homes of those who are less fortunate than those we are actually building for. I will let those who made the trip around the block, explain the impact of seeing the sights in and around our build sight.

 

This brings us full circle to the quote..what can you do in your life for the person who can do absolutely nothing for you...Give it a shot, the 20 of us are having a blast getting to know each other and trying to do just that...

 
Paulie

 

Another productive day on Team Tony´s site.  You guessed it more cement, mortar and blocks.  Another day of treats from Arminda.  We have sampled something different each day.  She is quite a good cook and so happy to be part of the team.  I did think I was going to lose a few pounds on this trip.  Not looking too good now!  After picking up Team Paulie at the end of the day, we were taken to a local park for a birthday fiesta in honour of Jill (better known as ¨Hill¨to the locals).  The San Miguel Habitat office brought drinks, a delicious cake, and a pinata.  The Habitat crew organized a few team building games.  We must have been a funny site to the locals walking by because we were filthy from the build.  The director spoke to us about how happy they, the families and the community were to have us here.  It was a nice feeling to know our team is making such a difference and how much it is appreciated.  Because it is American Thanksgiving, the hotel prepared a huge turkey dinner with all the El Salvadorian fixings (best gravy with olives and capers).  It was delicious...not much left of the bird.  Spent the evening preparing for our last day.  Cannot believe how fast it has gone by.  I think we are all excited to venture on to the R&R but also sad to have to say goodbye to all the new friends we have met in San Miguel.  Good night to all the families back home.  Thinking of you, Maria.  See you all soon!!
RITA