Final day Goodbyes

Our final day started with kids and kittens....again! I asked a seasoned HFH volunteer if this was usual, having kids on site, No it sure isn't. It is a bit scary how close they get to equipment and dangerous stuff, but no one even got a scratch!

Momma gato.

While we were enjoying our time off, eating and drinking in Antigua, Jose was working hard! He got the first 3 layers of blocks on, enough for the footing to be done! All he needed was to finish wiring some of the rebar together and we could start helping.

Jose working hard on carving out the blocks for the rebar to sit in

Hillary and I making the rebar to set into the carved out blocks

Edi is just happy the gringos came back to do his work! :)

Sifting sand for some mortar

Lila putting a block in with guidance from Jose

Lila let us know that Jose needed some mortar to place the U shaped blocks on the 3rd layer. Jose gave a lesson to Lila on how this was done, it was very well taught, he seems to be a natural teacher to anyone who understands Spanish. After the 3rd layer was on we back filled! We couldn't wait to get some of that dirt back into the holes! Room to work was at a premium all week and just being able to move was great. We were even able to set the washer back on solid ground :)

After we ate lunch we really didn't have any more time to work before the good bye ceremonies were held. Our family also wanted to clean up as they were heading to the other families site for the Goodbyes. Lila suggested we go to visit the Cathedral Santa Ana, as this is where the Sunday procession starts this week.

Our newest passenger, Mr. Pooh, the piniata

This is a carpet made out of saw-dust and flowers. Eric, our Antigua driver estimates it takes 8-10 hours with 8-10 people making it

The crowd in front of the carpet and alter of the church

There is a carnival atmosphere outside of the church, lots of "Stampede" type foods for sale, deep fried everything!

We went back to the site for one last time to get pictures of our progress and of our team. It was a bit of sweet sorrow to leave, we got attached to our family and wish them all the best for their new home and hope all the best for Caroline and her children.

The footings are done and ready for Jose and Edi to build the walls!

Team Antigua: Hillary, Adrian, Bernetta, Stephanie & Rosalyn

We took our family with us in the bus to the Team Tejal's site, which is 30 minutes away. Our team rep Hillary presented our family with a picture of our 12 volunteers.

The ceremony is an emotional time, we are leaving our families and they appreciate us so much and our effort. It is a bit of a party atmosphere afterwards, snacks and drinks are served. Some family and friends show up, it can be a real community affair at times.

A relative of one of the families got a mountie costume for this little girl to wear in honor of the Canadians!

My fav. TOSTADOS!!

Edi, me, Carolina and Paola

The men of Team Antigua: Adrian, Edi and Jose

Lila (our coordinator) and Carolina

Pinata time!!!

Team Antigua!!

Day 4 WEDDING & Working

Today we headed out to a Cultural event. Little did we know that we were going to get married again! There is 5 families that have a cooperative of weavers and as part of the demonstration of woven fabrics, they show groups how a mayan wedding was put together, from start to finish!

One year before the couple plans to marry they have a party. The bride finds out how many people she needs to make gifts for and starts to work!

Little did Adrian & I know we would be getting married AGAIN, in Guatemala! Yes kids, no renewal of vows that you have to pay for, we got it done for free!

The JP

The women helping the bride and groom get ready

Blushing bride, or 2nd thoughts??

Ready, set.....go

Adrian and myself are joined by his parents (actually Jackie & John stepped in).

John Ayearst, our project manager and a great guy! Thanks Dad :)

We are getting blessed by flower pettals

The first dance

Our fancy new wedding shoes.

I'm learning how it is when you are a Mayan lady. One baby in the pouch, a bucket of water and another on my hand. Maybe even one on the way...

After the presentation 5 women show you all of their stuff that is for sale, of course you can't say no after that! Then you make tortillas and have a delicious Guatemalan coffee. 

Well we finally got to work around noon, the second part of our team came to view our site and I think they were amazed at how small of a work space and how may kids and kittens were on site! One of the men spotted this home made hack saw. I didn't know Adrian hadn't seen it yet. Jose made this himself! Pretty darn ingenious!

After a bite to eat, we got to work mixing our first batch of concrete: 6 parts sand, 8 parts gravel, 2 bags of concrete and about 3.5 parts water.

Jose and Lila (our project co-ordinator) are mixing the gravel into the sand/cement mixture

Jose adding water to the concrete

Adrian & his bandito Bride

As usual the kids on the worksite Little Adrian & Paolo

Footings

Edi looking puzzled, but most of the concrete done

waiting for the water to absorb

REWARD!!

Day 3 build

We got to the house with cloudy skies, ah what relief from the sun, at least temporarily ;)

Today we found the kittens resting and the children at school! 

The morning went about the same as yesterday, except Adrian had more digging to do. We had thought that was over.

Before Adrians digging

Adrian unhappy with more digging

Mama's Corn cooking for Tortillas

We parked ourselves outside the house again. After lunch the group headed out for a lunch time walk. I found many new doors to photograph, but I won't post them again.

Our lunch spot outside of Carolina's home

Road scene from our walk

Outside of San Francisco Cathedral

Back to work we made a whole different kind of rebar support

After much deliberation and discussion, the Maestro/Mason decided that we needed more room to put the dirt away as we are mixing up concrete tomorrow. Carolina was talked into moving her washing machine. But where to? Jose is one creative and safety defying Mason! Sure, we will put the washer on top of the dirt pile...really

dirt pile

Washer, on top of the dirt pile....something I never thought I would hear in my life

Alejandro

Rest break

Stephanie fixing a broom for cleaning our site