CONSTRUCTION: DAY 5

 

The rank of Gringos grows thinner every day (in number and in size). We are now down to 7, but will do what it takes to bring this project to completion.

 

Following the several inches of rain yesterday, the soil reveals its great drainage capacity. The site is completely dry by this morning.

 

Heather, Ken, Ryu and Laura work on the rebar lattice that will provide strength to one of the four septic tank concrete lid panels. Rebar cut by hacksaw and wired with pliers.

 

 

After negotiations with the director of The Ranch, the team acquired several bedsheets to serve as a geotextile layer atop the foot of gravel which surrounded the drain field pipes. The fabric should minimize the amount of fine soil migrating into the pore spaces in the gravel, thereby maintaining easy draining from the pipes.

 

 

Coca works on the baffle wall between sedimentation tank and clear well. To the left, the brick forms for the four septic tank lid panels can be seen, each with their rebar support lattice in place. Concrete will be poured next.

 

 

One last group photo before Aunge and Heather depart after lunch today.

 

 

Brandon and Laura find someone they would like to bring home.

 

 

Side trip: Kurt steps away from the septic project for this afternoon to deliver a few thousand crayons collected by elementary school students in Negaunee, Michigan for the kids at Comedor de Niños Etta Turner in Montero. Heather and Aunge go along as an extended route to catch their bus to La Paz.

 

Heather and Aunge chatting with some of the kids at the Comedor.

 

Kurt with some of the kids at the Comedor (bags of crayons in foreground).

 

Next stop -- an orphanage in Montero to deliver some presents to kids there (including more crayons!). To the left is Sara Saucedo, Kurt's friend and resident of Santa Cruz. In the middle one of the nuns who works at the orphanage.

 

 

Kurt says a final goodbye to Heather and Aunge at the bus station in Santa Cruz. They are off on their 840 km ride to La Paz to continue the last few weeks of their journey through Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador. Much of our success was due to their valuable contributions (as was much of our fun), so it's tough to see them go. The number of Gringos on the team is now at 7.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, back at the project site. The drain pipes for the toilets and urinal have been laid. The interior walls are going up. Excellent progress continues.

 

 

Dave and Beth work on the connecting pipe between toilets and the septic tank. In the background the crew works on pouring and smoothing the concrete for the septic lid.

 

This evening was a special treat. Different families in the barrio invited each one of the team at their home for dinner. Here Brandon poses with a new friend, daughter of Juan Carlos.

 

In a strange coincidence, Kurt steps off the bus from downtown Santa Cruz exactly at the moment when Carlos is leading Beth to his house for dinner. Despite his rather unkept appearance, Kurt is invited along. Here Beth and Kurt pose with Carlos, Carina and their son Alejandro (and neighbors). A beautiful dinner outdoors under the very different stars of the southern hemisphere.

 

 

 

After dinner, the team converges in Victor's backyard for drinks and conversation. This is one of the best nights of the project. We have made good progress at the site, and seem to fit in well with the people of the barrio. Much laughter is shared this night.