Day 4 =Day 2 On the House

Tuesday March 8, 2011

Today began much the same as yesterday. Up at 6, breakfast and bus trip to the site and straight to work.

We were hoping to finish the footing so that we could pour concrete tomorrow and we accomplished our goal! We finished digging trenches, which was a chore since we were all under the impression that we'd left that arduous task behind forever. We then had to fill them in, part way, with fine sand and tamp it down with home made compactors (consisting of big sticks in small buckets of concrete). Emma and Mary (with the help of Loren and Daren) spent the day tying wire onto metal poles, creating rebar to place in the footing.

No longer strangers to the work, we did our best to maintain a good rhythm and share tools and jobs alike to stay fresh and motivated. At one point in the afternoon there was a significant, though unscheduled break, when the majority of the team was unoccupied. This small hiccup was due to the fact that the blocks of concrete we were expecting did not arrive and we could not move forward on any other aspect of construction. It was disappointing but I think the kids enjoyed the leisure time.

We were also lucky because at lunch we were treated to a tour of the neighbourhood and a chance to see a completed Habitat house. Edith, the woman who lives next door to the house we're building, was our tour guide. She has been very good to us and is a wonderful host! As we walked she introduced us to neighbours and we attempted to communicate through words often lost of each other and a whole lot of gestures. She also brought us down to a small river by the house which was a great escape from the sun and heat.

Today was much hotter than yesterday and we were all feeling more than a little wilted by the end of our work day. Cold showers and clean clothes have never been so appreciated!

Also my mother's birthday is today so I wanted to say a special feliz cumpleanos to her from El Salvador, and let all the mothers of our group know that your kids are thinking of you everyday.

My apologies for the lack of photos today, but it's dinner time and they take forever to upload. Double the amount tomorrow I promise!