Day 5 - It's Starting to Get Very Hot

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Hi All. Sam here. Wren and Stuart have been doing most of the blogging, but thought I would throw my biscuit in too. Last night a number of us suffered from St. Gregories' revenge which took a lot out of us (get it?) and so were a little lethargic in the morning. Today was more bucket lines for mixing and passing concrete and we finished the floor of their main room. We had a group of about 10 former Armenian/U.S. exchange students with us this time and we were able to form an additional team to pull bucket loads of purple pumice (pictures coming) up into the attic where they are used as insulation. The heat was pretty potent and we had to take doing the work out in the sun as everyone soon overheated.

Anna's pale skin and red hair seem to be the object of local wonder here and we are thinking that maybe we could capitalize on this and trade her for 2 nice Armenian girls who wouldn't get so crabby before school and who would clean their rooms. Such negotiations are complex and we will let you know as we go along.

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Photos

Attic of House
Purple pumice is added to the roof of the houses as insulation from heat and cold

Lunch at the Worksite
We are spoiled...fresh apicots, plums, cherries, apples, pears of many kinds; fresh bread, home cooked local foods

Malik
Bus driver, assistant jobsite superintendent, and owner of the tune box

Comments

[Ann]

a remedy
Maybe a little purple pumice in your cereal will take care of St. Gregories' revenge - I hope you all get back to regular soon - stay cool! Some WV news - a giant tree fell across the driveway - time for some chainsaw fun -- Ann

[amw]

Wonders of the World
Dear Armenian crew, it's the Iceland crew here sending you love- Alice and Gary near the top of the world... Sounds like you all are doing a great job. Anna would fit right in around this locale- many redheads and blonds. We've had on parkas, hats and long underwear in the last week. We are basking in arctic heat of @ 65 degrees at its high, and walking on pumice and volcanic rock with every step- it isn't purple though, but a dusty off white. The entire Island is a rock garden at this time of year. We've seen puffins, and shags and whales...Today I and my sister-in-law went snorkeling in glacier water, @ 37 degrees! Hearing the sounds of a band playing outside our window now in the center of Reykjavik. Much love and an arctic blast to all of you devoted folks in Armenia!

[tammy]

what a bunch!
You all are really something! I am doing my best right now to help humanity by sending you all lots of love and fond thoughts and also best wishes to the family whose house you are building. That's all I can manage right now as I'm at milford, lounging on the front porch, lolling in the stream. I love the blog and the photos. (Some of the people in these pictures are getting mighty grown up looking.) Love to all, Tammy

[Romey]

Immodium, yum yum
Hope you are all staying hydrated and happy despite your run-in with St. Gregory. I'm sooo glad Anna's having fun and that you all are getting to know the family whose house it is, and have met some other fun teenagers (who speak Armenian! Amazing!) Can you go out in the evening on your own or is it not safe for that? Take some pictures of people milling around town. I want to see a bit more of what life is like there...The pictures of the old ladies making lavash was very cool. The hotel loooks fancy from the photos -- but it's small and funky? (How about a picture of one of your rooms...) Have you tried the napoleons yet? Jen says they are amazing. We've been pow-wowing with Molly and Steve about house plans and strawbale design for the last three days, about 12 hours a day, so I've had no time for emailing, house cleaning, etc.. Bizzy has been amazingly easy-going without any big sisters to annoy, and adores Molly and Steve. So its all been quite fun. I think I'm going to take Biz up to Milford this week for a couple of days...Fia's mouth sores are falling off (and her disbudding scabs) so she make be fully recovered by the time you get back...Otherwise everything is the same here. Hot hot hot. I miss you guys... Romey/Mama

[fred]

very cool
What a great thing you guys are doing. saw your blog for the 1st time ( 1st time looking at any blog actually) and loved seeing the pix and reading your updates. After we get off this site , Kristina wants to GoogleEarth your travels. We'll be pouring concrete here ourselves on Monday, the shop floor, but not in buckets. We look forward to more.

[Kappy Laning]

WAshington DC event
hello dear family...sorry to hear about the runs...hope you are all better now and drinking lots of bottled water. We had VIP parking, reception and seating at the Marine Review last night..a perfect night for it...very impressive...I would have been happier if there was some balance..like a choir singing a peace song as part of the presentation.. love and hugs to you all, kappy

[Bob and Eleanor]

temperature
I just checked the temperature at your place: 84 degrees at 10:30 pm.And tomorrow no relief - high 99. Not too different from here in Rockville. Hope you have air conditioning at the hotel. Hang in there. Love, Bob and Eleanor

[Susan Bosovich]

A face for your name, Leo
A message for Leo: Looks like you've got a great team working with you there. I am glad you are working Melik hard though he's still smiling! I am envious of all of you being there! To make do I am working on a build here...framing for a 4-plex. Totally different than building there but I'm getting in good "working order" for my trip. Count down for me, 12 days to touchdown in Armenia....