On my day off from building, I hiked a volcano. Then at the top, I roasted a marshmellow over the active volcano's crater.
We got up at 5:30 for a 6 o'clock departure to the Pacaya Volcano that shadows the city of Antigua. The bus ride was cozy at best; we were packed in a mini van with 15 other sleepy adventurers. It took almost 2 hours to reach the top of the volcano. We fought through wild forrest and jungle-like terrain while following our crazy tour-guide Rudulfo. He told us much about the explosion of May 2010 and the native plants that can be used as different types of medicine. I found it particularly interesting that they seemed to have every sort of remedy growing on the volcano because its soil was so fertile. It was an extremely long day. I passed out in the van on the way home and the driver had to shake me awake again. Tomorrow will be another long day. I suppose the rest and warm shower will all come at once when I get back home.
an account of making the most of each idea and persevering every dream imaginable.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Day 8- Mano de Leon
My life changed today. Our new house location is located on the back side of a mountain overlooking Antigua. The drive there was a treacherous 20 minutes passed any similar form of civilization. At the top we had to park the truck and walk down the back side because there was no road, only dirt trails carved by goats and stomping feet. It was walking back up this beaten trail after the day's work that I the reality struck me. My thoughts today up that steep incline confirmed the feeling that had been growing curiously in my stomach all day.
The village is called "Mano de Leon." In English it translates to "Lion Hand." There are only 18 families in the entire village. Fortunately there is a school that serves the 40 children living there with one teacher, Diego. As we breached the corn field surrounding the village like a make shift barricade from invaders, the school yard was filled with scrawny, but smiling students running around. Their faces were painted with vivid colors that decorated the pairs of curious eyes that seemed to follow us wherever we went. The children were practicing for a play they planned on presenting later that day. Continuing onto the construction site we were further welcomed by every type of dog a person could imagine. They led us directly into the family's yard. There two women were waiting for us: one with long black hair and a once colorful skirt and brightly embroidered top that had surely faded over time, and the other with gray hair tied up in a bun and no teeth except the largest front one that protruded from the crease in her lips. One was the mother, and the other the grandmother. I with I could remember their names, it embarrasses me to have forgotten them already, but they were very indigenous. I expect this village was once very heavily influenced by Mayan culture. I do remember the boy. Hugo is 4 years old and too young to go to school yet. He likes cats and playing with his truck.
Carlos, our new head mason, explained as the day wore on that the hundreds of stockpiled supplies- dozens of bags of cement, wheelbarrows, and hundreds of iron rods and cement blocks- were carried by the women and children of the village the day before all the way from the point where we had left the truck on top of the mountain. It amazed me.
Today we dug the trenches for the foundation of the house. It was extremely strenuous because there was no shade and the sun did not relax is rays one bit (I did get a small sunburn on my shoulders.) not to mention that there were no other masons but Carlos today; the others were repairing another house built last year. When we broke for lunch Carlos walked us down to the communal washing well. There were a couple girls doing their laundry. They giggled so much when I tried to open the faucet properly. The water was cool and fresh and felt like a blessing in the heat. For lunch the family offered us peaches from their tree as a humble sign of their thanks. We graciously accepted them and cut them up to share. They were delicious.
Once we started working again Diego appeared carrying more blocks. Soon an army of children came in a line carrying more blocks balanced on their heads. I stopped shoveling just so I could observe this ant-line of colorfully painted children laughing and smiling as they each dropped off a block and ran off to collect more. They kept coming and coming, no one complained. Soon mothers were helping too, fathers, cousins, grandpas, baby brothers. It appeared as though the whole village was here helping this family. The sudden busyness drowned out the heat and I caught the energized atmosphere again, soaking it up. It was beautiful.
We finished the foundation trenches and packed up to go home. The walk up the mountain side was exhausting. My back ached from digging packed dirt and clay all day. My legs burned from squatting inside the trenches and lifting shovels full of dirt over the sides. But I turned around to catch my breath, and I caught something much bigger. I caught the view of the entire village hidden in this little secluded valley. Surrounded by corn fields, orchards of peaches, rows of bean plants, and other herbs and greenery, this little village had no means of support aside from themselves. They grew everything, shared everything, and loved everything. This was the difference.
The other village we worked at seemed so sullen and depressed. It was as if they knew they were poor. But here, even farther away from other villages and the outside world, and even poorer than the previous village, they didn't seem to know they were so poor because they were, in actuality, so rich. The children glowed despite their skinny frames. The mothers gossiped good-naturedly despite the back breaking work of harvesting and cooking. Even the dogs barked with enthusiasm instead of with fear of not being fed. These people were happy. It didn't matter how poor they were- the fact that there were only 2 concrete buildings in the entire town and that the rest slept on dirt floors and played amongst chickens and stray dogs didn't seem to phase them- they were happy to be alive in such a beautiful place with beautiful neighbors.
And so I thought- maybe this is the key. It doesnt matter your financial situation. It is all relative anyways. That isn't what makes one rich. As long as you surround yourself with wonderful people, all sharing the same thoughts, you will find a happiness. The rich are those that believe they are happy, not the ones that believe they have enough money.
The village is called "Mano de Leon." In English it translates to "Lion Hand." There are only 18 families in the entire village. Fortunately there is a school that serves the 40 children living there with one teacher, Diego. As we breached the corn field surrounding the village like a make shift barricade from invaders, the school yard was filled with scrawny, but smiling students running around. Their faces were painted with vivid colors that decorated the pairs of curious eyes that seemed to follow us wherever we went. The children were practicing for a play they planned on presenting later that day. Continuing onto the construction site we were further welcomed by every type of dog a person could imagine. They led us directly into the family's yard. There two women were waiting for us: one with long black hair and a once colorful skirt and brightly embroidered top that had surely faded over time, and the other with gray hair tied up in a bun and no teeth except the largest front one that protruded from the crease in her lips. One was the mother, and the other the grandmother. I with I could remember their names, it embarrasses me to have forgotten them already, but they were very indigenous. I expect this village was once very heavily influenced by Mayan culture. I do remember the boy. Hugo is 4 years old and too young to go to school yet. He likes cats and playing with his truck.
Carlos, our new head mason, explained as the day wore on that the hundreds of stockpiled supplies- dozens of bags of cement, wheelbarrows, and hundreds of iron rods and cement blocks- were carried by the women and children of the village the day before all the way from the point where we had left the truck on top of the mountain. It amazed me.
Today we dug the trenches for the foundation of the house. It was extremely strenuous because there was no shade and the sun did not relax is rays one bit (I did get a small sunburn on my shoulders.) not to mention that there were no other masons but Carlos today; the others were repairing another house built last year. When we broke for lunch Carlos walked us down to the communal washing well. There were a couple girls doing their laundry. They giggled so much when I tried to open the faucet properly. The water was cool and fresh and felt like a blessing in the heat. For lunch the family offered us peaches from their tree as a humble sign of their thanks. We graciously accepted them and cut them up to share. They were delicious.
Once we started working again Diego appeared carrying more blocks. Soon an army of children came in a line carrying more blocks balanced on their heads. I stopped shoveling just so I could observe this ant-line of colorfully painted children laughing and smiling as they each dropped off a block and ran off to collect more. They kept coming and coming, no one complained. Soon mothers were helping too, fathers, cousins, grandpas, baby brothers. It appeared as though the whole village was here helping this family. The sudden busyness drowned out the heat and I caught the energized atmosphere again, soaking it up. It was beautiful.
We finished the foundation trenches and packed up to go home. The walk up the mountain side was exhausting. My back ached from digging packed dirt and clay all day. My legs burned from squatting inside the trenches and lifting shovels full of dirt over the sides. But I turned around to catch my breath, and I caught something much bigger. I caught the view of the entire village hidden in this little secluded valley. Surrounded by corn fields, orchards of peaches, rows of bean plants, and other herbs and greenery, this little village had no means of support aside from themselves. They grew everything, shared everything, and loved everything. This was the difference.
The other village we worked at seemed so sullen and depressed. It was as if they knew they were poor. But here, even farther away from other villages and the outside world, and even poorer than the previous village, they didn't seem to know they were so poor because they were, in actuality, so rich. The children glowed despite their skinny frames. The mothers gossiped good-naturedly despite the back breaking work of harvesting and cooking. Even the dogs barked with enthusiasm instead of with fear of not being fed. These people were happy. It didn't matter how poor they were- the fact that there were only 2 concrete buildings in the entire town and that the rest slept on dirt floors and played amongst chickens and stray dogs didn't seem to phase them- they were happy to be alive in such a beautiful place with beautiful neighbors.
And so I thought- maybe this is the key. It doesnt matter your financial situation. It is all relative anyways. That isn't what makes one rich. As long as you surround yourself with wonderful people, all sharing the same thoughts, you will find a happiness. The rich are those that believe they are happy, not the ones that believe they have enough money.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Day 7- Cerro de la Cruz
The house is done! We finished it early today around noon. Because all that was left to do was the floor, and I have no skill (nor patience) for laying down and smoothing layer after layer of concrete, I asked Juan Carlos, the father, if I could do anything else for him. He was working on building the outline of a sun cover for the front of his house and he mentioned that he was planning on making a small patio to go underneath. I spent the morning hauling buckets of dirt to fill in the rough holes that developed outside his house, and then using a pick to break up mounds of hard packed clay used for the wheelbarrow stands. I evened out and smoothed the whole area out of his house and helped him construct a step leading up to it from the garden. It was amazing what the difference it made to the whole atmosphere of the house. That smooth area and step made the house feel completely usable and family-like. At the end I admit I stood back and just told myself how awesome it was.
I had a while to play with the kids before we left. In the course of the afternoon I asked Juan Carlos Jr. what he wanted to be when he grew up. He was very shy about it, but eventually told me he wanted to be an artist. Than just before I left, he handed me a folded up piece of paper. I opened it and saw a drawing of an orange. He said he drew an orange because I wore an orange t-shirt to work everyday and he thought that may be my favorite color. I hope he gets to become an artist.
Another gift I received from the family was the promise to take care of a seed I planted. Erica, the smallest, was very adamant that she would water it everyday and when it grew big and strong she would not only build a house for me to live in the branches, but she would send me packaged fruit every day. I dont know it the seed with actually blossom, but knowing that a part of me will always be there is somewhat comforting and fulfilling.
Because we got done early once I returned home I went out exploring. My new food experience today included a chocolate covered banana, which wasnt so bad because it was frozen and alleviated the intense sun. The weather is strange here. It's not even really hot- the sun is just so strong. Very different. After the chocolate banana a sat in the central park and read a bit before my room mate met me and we decided to climb one of the little mountainsides surrounding Antigua. On top of the mountainside there is a cross and a breathtaking view of the entire city. I am not exaggerating in my use of the word "breathtaking." You can see every street and light and house of the city and you can marvel at the exact parallel streets that create a perfectly gridded street system. The various churches jut out of the rows of roofs like special ornaments decorating a cake or pizza. It was beautiful. Two beautiful sights in one day: I must've had some good karma.
I had a while to play with the kids before we left. In the course of the afternoon I asked Juan Carlos Jr. what he wanted to be when he grew up. He was very shy about it, but eventually told me he wanted to be an artist. Than just before I left, he handed me a folded up piece of paper. I opened it and saw a drawing of an orange. He said he drew an orange because I wore an orange t-shirt to work everyday and he thought that may be my favorite color. I hope he gets to become an artist.
Another gift I received from the family was the promise to take care of a seed I planted. Erica, the smallest, was very adamant that she would water it everyday and when it grew big and strong she would not only build a house for me to live in the branches, but she would send me packaged fruit every day. I dont know it the seed with actually blossom, but knowing that a part of me will always be there is somewhat comforting and fulfilling.
Because we got done early once I returned home I went out exploring. My new food experience today included a chocolate covered banana, which wasnt so bad because it was frozen and alleviated the intense sun. The weather is strange here. It's not even really hot- the sun is just so strong. Very different. After the chocolate banana a sat in the central park and read a bit before my room mate met me and we decided to climb one of the little mountainsides surrounding Antigua. On top of the mountainside there is a cross and a breathtaking view of the entire city. I am not exaggerating in my use of the word "breathtaking." You can see every street and light and house of the city and you can marvel at the exact parallel streets that create a perfectly gridded street system. The various churches jut out of the rows of roofs like special ornaments decorating a cake or pizza. It was beautiful. Two beautiful sights in one day: I must've had some good karma.
Day 6- Los Albaniles
I ride to and from work everyday in the bed of a toyota pick up truck. Today the truck broke down and naturally we only put the hazards on and kept coasting down the mountain to stop at the nearest auto station. Lucky for us, the rain had ceased so we could enjoy the lapse of neck jostling and knee buckling in the sun. Maybe I will get tan after all. It was a nice moment to see all the masons outside their construction element. They are all great guys. My favorite part of the day is lunch (that much hasn't changed since elementary school), where each one pulls out his own tupperware container of last night's left-overs and one goes down the the local tienda to buy a stack of steaming fresh tortillas. We pull up extra concrete blocks around a makeshift table and listen to the Guatemalan radio- always the station featuring the epitome of latin style music. Then, everyone just digs in. The different foods brought are for everyone to share. You can try a couple tortillas-full of any dish. The tortillas themselves are quite versatile: they can be used as spoons, napkins, plates, or just a food chaser. Mostly they laugh and make jokes among themselves and I busy myself with interpreting the newspaper we buy every morning. So far I've tried all varieties of rice and a chile so spicy it made me cry. The idea that we all share the hunger of a tough day's work is commonly, and duly acknowledged.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Day 5- More Construction
It started pouring today right after lunch just as we put the roof on. The rain was welcoming this time though. I broke quite a sweat breaking up and shoveling mounds of hard packed clay that will level out the floor inside the house. I've noticed that there isnt much difference between moving a pile of blocks and earning an A on a test. The personal satisfaction of manually transferring them bit by bit and the feeling afterwards is quite similar if not making you more proud because you can see the immediate effect and change. You work hard, you get a result. I like that.
Day 4- First Day of Work
My first day at the site was a success!! As in no personal injuries or catastrophes. I met the family that the house will belong to: Marta y Juan Carlos, and their three children Veronica y Juan Carlos Jr, the twins aged 9, and Erica aged 4. They are all very sweet and eater to help. Juan Carlos Jr. is quite the artist. As soon as I walked in he showed me books and books of his crayon drawings that mostly included pigs and giraffes and helicopters. Right now they are living in thier aunt's house next door. It is a one room concrete block building about the size of my bedroom back at home. Inside all they have inside are two beds shoved together for the five of them and a desk with a radio, clothes and pictures stacked on it. That leaves only a small corner by the door free for thier table (an upturned paint bucket with a wooden plank balancing on top) and chairs (more cement blocks piled by the wall and only taken down one by one when needed to use as stools). They have no floor, just packed earth. Thier kitchen is outside around the back and consists of more cememt blocks surrounding a firepit and covered by metal scraps to keep out the ever persisitent rain. They bathe outside with bucket carried from the water spiket down the street. This is actually better than what they had originally because last week Constru Casa demolished thier scrap metal shed in order to make room for the new construction. This new house will provide them a home. It wont be a place where they can just keep dry, but a place with a real lock they can secure at night and feel safe- a luxury they never had before. They will have a floor for the first time to free them from worms and parasites that crawl every where. They will have rooms to live and play, and rooms to cook and bathe. It will change thier lives.
I am working with four other men: Servilio, the head builder; Ricardo and Mateo, his helpers; and Juan Carlos, the father of the family. Juan Carlos and I do mostly odd jobs because we are not certified nor practiced builders. The first thing I did was move 200 cement blocks from one location to another. Then I punched holes in them with an axe so that they can be used in the anti-seismic system that is also featured in the house design. After lunch I mixed cement for a good 3 hours. Shovelfull... after shovelfull... after shovelfull.... I know my back will be sore tomorrow!
At times I did feel as though I only got in the way because I couldnt do any of the real important jobs. Everything I do requires nothing but muscle, and in the present stage of the house, skill is more valuable. They began this house last week and all that's left to do is finish the walls and install the roof and floor. I'm content with shoveling, I like it. It's much easier when they play the radio too; the intense Latino music gives a good rhythm to work to.
I am working with four other men: Servilio, the head builder; Ricardo and Mateo, his helpers; and Juan Carlos, the father of the family. Juan Carlos and I do mostly odd jobs because we are not certified nor practiced builders. The first thing I did was move 200 cement blocks from one location to another. Then I punched holes in them with an axe so that they can be used in the anti-seismic system that is also featured in the house design. After lunch I mixed cement for a good 3 hours. Shovelfull... after shovelfull... after shovelfull.... I know my back will be sore tomorrow!
At times I did feel as though I only got in the way because I couldnt do any of the real important jobs. Everything I do requires nothing but muscle, and in the present stage of the house, skill is more valuable. They began this house last week and all that's left to do is finish the walls and install the roof and floor. I'm content with shoveling, I like it. It's much easier when they play the radio too; the intense Latino music gives a good rhythm to work to.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Day 3- Another Comment
Right now I am in a small internet cafe, and I am surrounded by four 20-30 year old men playing an intense game of World of Warcraft. I wonder if they really have nothing better to do. However, the anxious key jabbing is quite funny.
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