Wednesday November 24 Part One

Another productive day on site.  We are building the walls now so lots of heavy lifting of cement blocks and  mixing of cement for mortar.  And more of the same tomorrow!  Nice to see the house taking shape and we are all becoming expert masons.  Need to correct my last blog.  The third mason is named Paz but everyone calls him Chino.  Adan and Arminda have 3 girls named Nidia (12), Wendi (8) and Paola (3).  There are so many neighbourhood kids hanging around, it is hard to figure out who belongs to what family!

During our pre-dinner refreshments, Don Ignacio (the hotel owner) gave us a demonstration on roasting coffee beans.  We will get to sample at tomorrow morning breakfast.  Lovely pasta dinner this evening.  After dinner, Don Ignacio and Johnny arranged for all of us to attend the bull fights.  We were given reserved front row seats.  The seats were far from Club Seats at a Sens game but rather wooden planks across metal scaffolding in 8 rows to form a small round stadium.  The place was packed and we were definitely the only gringos in the place.  The pre-bull fight entertainment consisted of a rather scantilly clad, well endowed (not real) young woman dressed up as a cowgirl who was singing.  The last part of her show was to invite down 4 men to win a cowboy hat in a dance contest.  We were all shouting for Johnny but the gringos from Canada were chosen:  Dave G, Chris, John and Dave T.  All I can say is...we were all howling with laughter along with the entire stadium, Dave G. won, and video will follow!!  The bull fight was, shall I say, interesting.  Animal lovers would not be impressed.  After the first round, we were all rooting for the bull!

So far everyone has been healthy.  Today Carolyn was the first casualty.  After a day of rest, saltines and peanut butter she is ready for work tomorrow!  Good night to all back in Canada!
RITA 

Tuesday November 23

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

Monday November 22

Rosie had the pleasure of witnessing my Buckwheat hairdo this morning!  Up early for our first day at the two building sites.  Team Tony consisted of Barry, Dave G, Gerry (Geraldo), Camille, Helen, Jen, and Rita.  We were  VERY fortunate to arrive on site which was already cleared and trenches dug.  The rebar was already cut and put together over the weekend by the two masons, Stanislaw and Juan.  We mixed concrete and soil and then added to the trenches to have a level measurement.  We then helped to lay the rebar then began cutting wire and tying off.  The family was on site as they live right next door.  Adan and Arminda have 4 children.  They welcomed us into their home with pride and warmth.  Their current home consists of pieces of wood patched together with a piece of metal for a roof that was held down by rocks.  There was not a single nail holding the house together.  There was no floor just dirt.  Adan built a table while we worked.  They brought the table into their home and Arminda covered it with a tablecloth so that we could eat our lunch in comfort and shade.  Cannot explain how this simple gesture overwhelmed all of us.  We played with the children and took lots of pictures.  Even though we do not speak the same language we managed to understand each other.  Left the site at 4 pm and had our usual meeting, refreshments and much needed showers before dinner.  Might visit the carnival down the street...we'll see how much energy we have left.

Team Paul´s site had not been started, so we (Paul, Chris, Jill, Jeff, Wendy, Bill, Terry, Rosie, Dave, Carolyn, John, Cheryl and Johnny the translator) spent the day building trenches for the walls.   The 6 room (approx. 500 sq.ft) home, took us the entire day to dig.  My visions of tanning in the sun at lunch were diminished by¨nine thirty when the heat and sweat was getting to the majority of us.  We started taking frequent breaks and drinking LOTS of water....and by lunch, Paul was asking us all "have you peed yet"???  This is the universal question during the builds to ensure everyone is drinking enough so that dehydration does not become an issue.  We were greeted twice during the day by a parade of cattle a (with a few horses thrown in) wandering down the street.  We also had the blessing of a real toilet!!!!  There was a home across the street from our build who graciously allowed us use of their facilities, we were very, very appreciative!!  Julia, the mom we met prior, and the recipient of the home, joined us most of the day, as well as her son Christian.  She told Jill of her own visions of building a basketball hoop at the back of the property when the home was completed.  Our masons were Francisco and Alex, who continuously measured our trenches throughout the day until we reached 32 inches.  As difficult as the day was physically, there is no doubting it was a great way to start our week here.  Until tomorrow......

Sunday November 21

We saw the main cathedral and a bit of San Salvador this morning before making our way to San Miguel.  It was a 3 hour drive through the beautiful country side.  We drove past volcanoes.  Drove through San Vincente, site of last years mudslides.  Our hotel in San Miguel is very nice and the people here are very welcoming and can´t do enough for us.  We met the two families who will work with us to build their new homes.  We enjoyed a nice lunch with them and afterwards had our team orientation.  After that we went on a walking tour of San Miguel.  Today is the feast of Our Lady of Peace so the streets are full of people.  We saw the procession from the main cathedral.  It is much like St. Anthony´s Day on Preston St. but multiply that by thousands and thousands of people who lead and follow the procession through the streets.  The people here are very religious and faithful.  They pray to Our Lady for favours and repay by walking in the procession with candles.  Prayer said for Maria back in Ottawa.  We made our way back to the hotel where we had our pre-dinner refreshments and chatted about the day.  The chef prepared papusas for dinner which consisted of a tortilla, plaintain, beans and buns.  Our Team Player of the Day goes to Barry for buying chocolate sweets for all.  To bed early so we are all rested and ready for the first build day.  Two building sites which are just starting so lots of digging tomorrow.
Rita

Saturday November 20

Well the rest of us finally made it to San Salvador!  Those of  us from Ottawa met at the airport at 4:30 am for the first leg of our journey.  After we all had our Timmy´s, we were energized for our 15 hour journey. Good connections, on time and only one piece of luggage stayed behind in Houston!  It was neat to fly into Newark and see the New York skyline, Statue of Liberty and the Jets Stadium.  Houston was very spread out and flat.  You could see for miles.  Lots of chatting and laughs throughout the day.  It was nice to arrive at our hotel and meet the rest of the group over beer and munchies.  Looking forward to seeing San Salvador during the day as we make our way to San Miguel tommorrow.  Goodnight to all!
Rita

Friday November 19

Hola desde San Salvador!

The first of us have arrived in the bustling city that is San Salvador. Chris, Jill, Paul and Barry arrived late on the 19th and after the initial "do you know the name of our Hotel?"dilemma followed by a quick call to Tony we proceeded to Hotel Mariscal. It wasn´t long before the scotch and Pilsner washed the dust of travel from our bodies and we stayed up late discussing what the next nine days will offer.
We agreed that we will be guaranteed a healthy amount of shovel work, with heavy clay loam and cement being the target of the spade. This will be followed by rebar, cinder block and yes... more cement. There will be sweat, blisters, sore feet, sore hands, sunburns, but all in all the pain will be the good kind.
Also agreed upon was the resulting laughter, stories, maybe tears and lasting friendships that are formed when a group of people gets together, without illusion, to work for the benefit of others.

On a lighter note a quote: We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
                                      ~Winston Churchill


With this in mind...There are many paths in life and it is my belief that we travel not just one of these paths but many.
These paths intertwine and overlap and it is the amalgamation of these paths that provides us with a sense of who we are and what direction we are going.
Life... your life, my life, is made from these paths. The choice is how you walk them and which ones you take. For me coming to El Salvador is one such path. I am here because I want to experience the culture from the ground, from a perspective that is not one sought by many.
I find comfort in the fact that I have 19 likeminded souls who have chosen to walk this path with me. I don´t need to know their reasons for being here but I guarantee that each of us here will take more away with us that we can ever give.

The joy is in the journey.  Walk the path(s) with your head high and your eyes open. Walk it like it matters, because it does.


Chris

emergency contact info

Global Village Canada


Emergency Contact Information Sheet for El Salvador

For the duration of you trip someone at Global Village will be available, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist you with emergencies. If we are not immediately available we will return your call as soon as possible. You may contact us anytime, day or night if you need assistance.


Global Village Coordinators

Rick Tait and Suzanne Bullock

Emergency phone 613-264-1250 (call collect if necessary)

If you don’t reach someone, leave a detailed message and call the emergency cell phone.

Emergency Cell Phone 613-264-7355 If we are not be able to answer immediately, please leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible.

Email rtait@habitat.ca or sbullock@habitat.ca

When calling from El Salvador, dial 001- and then the ten-digit number.

In-country contact information

Habitat for Humanity El Salvador

Col. General Arce, Calle Jorge Dominguez, No. H-4,

San Salvador, El Salvador

www.habitatelsalvador.org.sv

http://habitates.blogspot.com

Patty Cordero de Arcia, Global Village Coordinator

PCordero@habitatelsalvador.org.sv

Phone (503) 2298-3290; 2298-3291; 2298-5253 Ext.103

Cell Phone: (503) 7318-8083

FAX (503) 2298-3290; 2298-3291; 2298-5253 Ext.109

Skype name: pcordero_hphes



Canadian Embassy in El Salvador

The Canadian Embassy

Centro Financiero Gigante,

63 Av. Sur y Alameda Roosevelt local 6 Nivel Lobby ll

San Salvador, El Salvador

General: (011-503) 2279-4655/4657/4659

Fax: (011-503) 2279-0765

Email: ssal@international.gc.ca

Medex Travelers Assistance Network

(24 hrs, 7 days per week)

Policy # 9906-0551 Medex code-CHB

In Canada 1-866-832-6930

Around the world Baltimore, Maryland 410-453-6330 ( call collect) Updated Jan/2008