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Published: February 9th 2011
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House family are currently living inWell here I am in Guatamala!
Somewhat of a culture shock from LA and New Zealand I have to say!
Picked up at the airport by the director of the project who drove like a manic, whilst advising that he is a safe driver and dropped us off at our host family. All a little surreal as we were shown to our rooms and given the list of rules to abide by- including only one quick shower a day, Michele and I are struggling with this one!
Sunday will be our day to ourselves for the two weeks that we are here, so after some very much needed sleep, Michele and I wandered through Antigua the smallish town. Antigua is an eclectic mix of tourists, Guatamalians and traditionally dressed Guatamalians selling beads and scarves etc.
There are food stalls and musicians on every corner, with 3 volcanoes in the background, one still active and regularly sends out large plumes of smoke! Apparently it does erupt on a regular basis which is supposed to be magnificent to watch!
It takes 5 days to build a house and we have just completed day 2. Day 1 was backbreaking,
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Day 1 progress mixing the cement and knocking out and lifting the bricks around the site. Two houses are being built on the plot of land, the land has been donated by the mother to each of her daughters. The houses are built for families that own land but do not have a house, I have included a photo of the structures the families are currently living in.
Day 2 was building the walls up currently 4 bricks above ground level and placed the first layer of concrete into the bricks. There is no internal partitioning and just one window and door for the family.
Ps there is a warning attached to these photos, in that Michele and I look dreadful!! I was so exhausted yesterday that I finished dinner and then went to bed and by 7.30 I was fast to sleep!!
Who needs boot camp and detox, with all this physical work and a diet of mainly vegetables, fruit and plenty of black beans I will be able to rival Carol Voderman.
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MattyC
non-member comment
P&S Builders Ltd... Building a better future
Hey P&S Builders, Wow, you two look as though you are doing a great job over there, the house is coming on a treat after only day 2. If you were building in the UK you wouldn't even be out of the ground yet and would be having tea breaks every 15 mins reading the daily sport!!! you two look beautiful in your picture.... i'm just not too show of the blue cap!! You should try and get some action shots, and I mean the ones with you two grafting mixing up concrete or laying the blocks, not dodgy ones. Keep up the good work P&S Builders I think it's amazing what you are doing, and remember you're not proper builders until you master the proper builders bum crack on show. Take care M x