Friday Jan 13/12

Friday the 13th/January 2012 update

Yes, Friday the 13^th and we’re not superstitious because it was a GREAT day with PROGRESS!!!   I have been on my feet from 7am to 6pm, I’m tired but elated because we got so much done today.

Jorge showed up with his cement/ceramic/tile guy to work on changing the main shower into a tub enclosure.  I like this kid right off the bat, smart and capable, and he proved me right.  Then Enrique showed up and I gave him the bad news that he wasn’t getting the tub job but he could start on the wall right away.   I gave him some money for supplies and he promised to be back after lunch to start, hoping the welding guy would be done by then.  Then the gas guy delivered the new propane bottle I ordered as Bella was running to Kywi to see if we could get the installer to come for the on-demand water heater hookup.   She called later to say he would be there some time in the afternoon.

The welding guy showed up ½ hour late and we discussed the requirements via Jorge and Enrique.   He began by installing the new lock on the main gate structure and it took him 3 hours to get it just right because he was a perfectionist.

To explain briefly, the large main gate has two large east-west doors that have the pin latches and sliding bars to keep them in place.  They both open outwards.  The east section includes a large man-door that opens inwards and this would be the normal way to enter.  However, since we are turning the garage into a dining room we had to move the propane bottles and water heater just inside the gate (for ventilation) and wall them off so we wouldn’t get any fumes, etc.  Because of the windows between the living room and garage, the area for the new wall is restricted so that the man door would hit it and not fully open.  Therefore the simplest solution was to use the entire east side of the gate as our entry point.

After lunch Enrique was back and started on the wall.  I was amazed at the rudimentary but effective methods he used to line up his work, strings and plumb bobs in evidence.

Then Jorge drove up with the ceramic guy along with Fred Flintstone and more supplies for the tub job.  I couldn’t figure out why they had brought so much sand and cement but I soon found out why…

The welder came back with his helper (son?) and they did a great job tacking up the screen to the inside of the gate.  He let the young guy do most of the welding and it was clear this was an apprentice learning the craft from an old master.  The heavy screen is to avoid anyone reaching in and tampering with the water heater, the gas, or my bike, which will all be in this 3 foot space.

I supervised all three operations going on and helped out with needed tools or cleanup.  The young ceramic guy was a pleasure to watch.  I wanted to be sure the fiberglass tub ($63 at Coral) was installed solidly so it wouldn’t move or twist.  I had no idea this kid and Fred would lug 600 pounds of sand upstairs for this purpose!  For a while there we had the best sandbox in all of Cuenca!    I watched as he checked his work and it was perfectly level on all sides.  This kid is going to be a great craftsman.

Enrique finished half the wall and went home around 4:00.  The next level begins with the glass blocks we want installed for light in the new dining room.   He will be back at 8am and work until noon.

The welder and kid were done around 5:00 but I dragged the kid and his cutoff saw up the lavanderia and terrace metal doors and had him cut me some cat doors.  On the terrace door I just temporarily covered it with cardboard and duct tape.  I cut some hose and slit a line up the length to make a soft edge for the lavanderia cat door until we can do something better later.  This is where the cat litter will most likely be, so the activity in and out will be regular.

Then Jorge showed up again to review things and he was followed by the cabinet maker who wanted to check a few measurements.  I hope this bodes well for the early arrival of our new pantry and island.  However he said the doorway in Enrique’s wall needs to be 95cm instead of 92cm.   Ugh.   I am sure Enrique won’t be pleased about that as we both measured the existing doorway.   The good news is that the concrete blocks here are extremely soft and porous so I hope it isn’t a big chore to knock off an inch.  I have yet to see anyone use a concrete saw here, always hammer and chisel.

Fred and the ceramic guy were still cementing in the tub edges and then cleaned up a little.   They will also be back at 8am.  I assume the concrete will be set enough for him to finish up his work tomorrow.

The Kywi guy never did show up to install the water heater so I was a little miffed about that.  I will have to sick Bella nd Michael on them again.

I was to meet Bella for supper at 6:00 but had to cancel out as I was running late.   It turned out our proposed restaurant was closed so she grabbed a pizza and brought it home.  It tasted great.

That was today’s tiring but rewarding excitement.   

I was trying to give you the pics but this Google Blog BS won't cooperate and after 3 hours of trying to put this together I am pretty fed up after a long day's work.   So I am going to email this as well.

We have heard from many of you saying that you prefer the emails, but we have not heard from anyone saying they like the blog format.  So, we are going to ask you all to email us at albellaecuador@gmail.com  with your vote, 1. keep the blog - or 2. go back to emails - or 3. I'm sick of it already.  

Don't be afraid to tell us please.  We're not doing this for our health, it is a lot of work but so many of you have indicated you enjoy them, so....... let us know.

Hugs to all.