So much happened today. Stanislaw, Juan and Julio (new mason to the team) were already working hard to finish installing last of the rebar. They are very organized and are good at explaining what needs to be done. Helped them to finish tying off, adding support shims, and removing some of the wooden supports. And then the fun began...the cement! We filled wheelbarrows with gravel and sand, and then added the cement. This would get mixed up and formed into a well or volcano. We then added buckets of water to the middle. Oh yeah, this is all by hand...no power tools or gas powered mixers!! Wheelbarrows full of cement are then wheeled over to the trenches where Stanislaw would tamp and smooth. It was hard work in the hot sun but we were good to rotate on and off for a rest in the shade. We really worked hard and efficiently and by 2:30 we were done. The cement will dry overnight.
We have been looked after very well by this family. The build site is spotless when we arrive. For our mid morning break, Arminda (the mother) brought out a plate of Empanadas that she had freshly prepared for us. The empanada was formed using mashed plantain, flattened and then filled with a rice, milk, and cinnamon custard. She then fried and sugared them. For the afternoon break, Arminda prepared a plate of freshly fried plantains. She invited us girls to her outdoor kitchen to show us how she makes them. While the girls were getting cooking lessons, the boys were throwing the football around. Oh yeah, forgot to mention that our snacks are provided to us, so for this mother to do this is so generous. Throughout the day we were visited by all the neighbourhood kids. Word was out there was candy to be had. Arminda and her girls showed us their family photo album. Grandparents, sisters and brothers, baptisms, confirmations. The most interesting were the funeral photos. Her father-in-law passed away quite young and there were photos of family members posing in front of the open casket. They do not embalm so the body was wrapped in white cloth, head exposed and mouth stuffed with cotton. There were pictures of the pallbearers in shirts and ties and then of the same pallbearers in work clothes and masks digging the grave. We almost lost Tony this morning at the build site. He was kneeling down to tie rebar when Helen noticed a black scorpion climbing up the heel of his boot. We found out afterwards that one bite causes instant paralysis. Glad we didn´t have to visit the hospital for anti venim shots. Thanks to Helen for saving our team leader. Talked to some of the workers at the casket factory across from the build site. As you guessed it, they are made by hand. I think if we give them candy we might just get a tour. Headed back to hotel at 3:30 where the truly exciting events began...
Rosie was escorted from our room by the armed guard because she had flooded the room. Water poured out the front door, onto the balcony and down into the courtyard where the rest of the team was enjoying predinner refreshments. Quite the show considering Rosie barely had time to dress before running from the shower while the guard banged on the door. Rosie and I now have a suite! Shortly after this, Bill was locked inside his room. He called out through the bathroom window and Gerry promptly broke down the door with the help of the armed guard. Visited the mall escorted by Ignacio (hotel owner) and Johnny (translator) in search of Cuban cigars. Had our team meeting over dinner where we were led by Carolyn and Terry in a Rebar Dance. The competition between the two build site teams is ramping up. Currently the whole team is dancing in the hotel courtyard. The staff think we are loco! We will sleep well tonight after this eventfull day!
RITA
Our day began with rebarring, moving sand and more sand. After lots of tamping, more sand and more tamping our trenches were ready for the rebar. While the others were cutting the wires for rebar, the really brave members of our team were working to get the sewage puddles running smoothly. ....... YEAH! We spent the afternoon twisting wires to tie the rebar while Carolyn and Wendy were making the Ohs for the rebar assembly. While Cheryl, Terry, Rosie, John and Jeff assembled the rebar for the trenches,
Paul, Chris, Jill, Dave and Johnnie were moving the dirt again over to the back of the property and Bill kept everyone entertained. We had lots of visitors from the local community. The truck driving buy in the afternoon with the music playing loudly helped to keep us inspired and Terry led us in the rebar dance. We all needed this break and laughter to keep us motivated. A truck showed up at our site at 3:00 with a full load of concrete bricks to be unloaded before 4:00. With the help of many community members we formed the chain gang to move the bricks from the truck to the back of the property. True team work! We had a great group of kids at our site, especially the four little mischievious looking boys that Jill fell in love with. There was one little guy that used a slingshot and killed a bird which had us all a little squeamish but he was very proud and after hanging it off his bicycle handlebars was going to take it home for dinner. We were all grossed out. It was another great day and we are looking forward to another rewarding day tomorrow. Hats off to our team leader Paul for keeping us moving and keeping our spirts high.
CAROLYN, WENDY & ROSIE
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