Happy Hour - Room 407

So we had such a successfull Rosh Hashahana happy hour we hosted a 2nd happy hour Thursday night - aka Karaoke Night.  We had the whole team in our spacious room.  As you can see, we had no room for a dance floor.

Then Rachel and Mark led us in some Karaoke

Let's review the rules - Safety Blog Entry

Okay, I thought I should document the rules of the work site for anyone interested in attending a trip like this as they are STRICTLY enforced!

Rule Number One - No Alcohol on the work site

Rule Number 2 - No Shorts on the worksite

Rule number 3 - Hard hats must be worn at all times

Rule number four - Don't pet the animals

And lastly, NO children on the worksite

So again, remember safety first everybody!  A safe work space is a fun work space!



A bunch of dirtbags!

I mean that in the most positive way :)  Today was another day of incredible labor intensive tasks.  The added "bonus" was the wind.  It did help keep us a little cooler, but in 90+ degrees, sweating and add a constant covering of dirt blowing through the air and you get the picture of how dirty everyone was at the end of the day!  I may have to have a total body chemical peel to get all of the grime off my body!  The work, albeit hard, was very rewarding.  This team is a very task and goal oriented team.  When we arrived Nester was ready to help pour the concrete for his neighbor's house.  A team of about 12 of us were on that detail as it involves running buckets of rocks, sand, cement and water to the small machine mixing the concrete.

Here's Cory delivering what I am sure turned out to be 2 of the 1000 buckets of rocks needed for the cement - at least it felt that way!

These girls "rocked"   Here's Patti, Cory and Julia

The other part of the team was working equally as hard fininishing digging out the foundation of the 3rd house.  Did I mention these trenches are close to 3 ft deep and about 18 - 24 inches wide???  Then you have to move THAT dirt to a spot a lot further from the house which involves more shoveling and wheelbarrels.

Here Rachel is THRILLED she only has about 6 more inches to dig out.

Linda and Amanda dig each other

Taking a shorty break with Cory on the dirt pile

Nester takes a well deserved break after we finished pouring the cement for house number 2

King of the swing - Michael - finds his true calling - digging a hole for a septic tank

Allison lifts the dirt out of the hole - Cory is the "safety girl" on this rotation.  We took turns in the hole, lifting out the dirt, "safety" person

After lunch, the younger ones of our group, Allison and Amanda, still had enough energy to play soccer with the neighborhood kids.

Allison has a new boyfriend/shadow - Ricardo.  He absolutely adores her.  Where ever Allison goes, Ricardo is sure to follow!

There are several reflections I have on the day.  The first is that it took a team of 12 of us to keep up with the work of Nester.  We hustled all morning with a non-stop moving of buckets.  As fast as we could fill and deliver the bucket, Nester made and poured concrete.  We have had such a great time, I can't believe we only have one more day.

Ciao for now!

13 tired pups this afternoon

It was another fantastic day at the job site.  We headed out this morning bright and early with Victoria, one of the other in country Habitat Employees that helps run the office and projects as well translate.  When we arrived, Nester - the owner of the house I am working on was ready for the cement mixing and pouring to start.  Nester was so excited that we were already to this point on his house.  I know I said this before, but it is incredible how much the other people in the neighborhood are helping out.  I have been on several builds, but this one stands out for it's sense of community and how much we are bonding with the families. 

Here Cory and I are ready to start the day, Doug is apparently ready to give directions.

 The other two houses, right across the street, were busy with more digging and making the rebar for the foundations.  It was amazing to see the house foundation that started as a grassy area turn into a well defined layout of trenches.  If you ever need intense digging done, I know just the team to do it!

Never get between a man and his pic axe!  Well, at least when Michael is the one swinging!  He shall now be known as "king of the Swing"

Linda and Cory work on the ties for the rebar

Amanda learns the art of making cement.

Mark attempts the pic axe but was no match with Michael.

Nester levels the cement

Amanda and Rachel are masters at digging dirt, rocks and sand

I helped carry the pales of dirt and rocks to Nester for the cement - first 2 buckets not heavy, after about 50 it started to weigh me down - so to speak.

Did I mention one of the tasks was to dig the whole for the septic tank?  Glad I was busy with the cement!!!

Nester celebrates being done with pouring the concrete!  That man worked so hard, we just tried to keep up with his pace.

Either someone slipped something into the drinking water or everyone was exhausted after a hard day's work:

At the end of the day, we go through a recap and we share thoughts with the team and family.  I am humbled again by the gratitude of the families we are working with to build the houses. 

We got back to the hotel and surprised Cory with an impromptu celebration of Rosh Hashanah.  We had "happy hour" in our room with the team which was a great time......in a very small room :)

Cory and her "Manashevitz"  (Argentina version) to help ring in the new year

The gang at "happy hour"

Our two newlyweds on their honeymoon - Michael and Rachel

After happy hour we were off to visit the local brewery - Santa Fe beer.  It was another night filled with laughter and great conversation.

Below is Amanda, Cory (secret model) and Mark.  Rachel and Julia are in the background.

Rachel auditions to be the next "Santa Fe Beer Girl"

We wrapped up dinner and are now calling it a night.  With any luck, I will be able to lift my arms tomorrow beyond the height of my waist, but I make no promises.  Typing even hurts right now :)

Ciao for now!