Cuenca Updates: Thursday Jan 12/12

Thursday Jan 12/12 update

On the way to the new house I stopped at a ferreteria where the young fellow speaks passable English and asked for a sink hose connector. After showing me some diagrams I picked the right part and it was a whole 90 cents. Fred Flintstone was already at the house and was really happy that I had supplied the part he needed.

I had emailed Michael earlier to see if I should hire Enrique to do some of the work. He agreed so the call was made. Enrique came within 15 minutes and I gave him a quick tour and rundown of our situation and what work we could throw his way, like installing the tub and building our removable wall in the garage/dining room.. He left but was back within ½ hour with his metal guy who will construct our screens for all outside windows and later build the roof over the terrace. This fellow took the measurements of all the windows and we discussed the terrace roof options. Then Enrique came back a third time with estimates for the terrace roof. I was flabbergasted that it was cheaper to go with bronze smoked glass than chloroplast panels!

Meanwhile Fred Flintstone was in the lavanderia to clamp down the hot water hose. I didn’t supervise him doing this. My mistake. Instead of using the same holes he used to nail up temporary supports, naturally he made new holes. Instead of logically placing the clamps and making sure things were straight, well, he did them differently. You can see the result in the photo attached.

Then we tackled the new double sink. He applied way too much silicone and we seated the sink. Then Fred proceeded to suck it down into place with wire or at least as close as he could manage. I cleaned up the sink area myself and was very careful not to get silicone anywhere on the outer sink surface as silicone can cause oxidation of metals. Their “stainless steel” is nowhere near the thickness, strength or durability that we are accustomed to and the sinks stain easily. He also hooked up the under-sink piping. Now when we apply plumber’s tape to joints we use about 3-4 wraps and we’re done. He doesn’t seem to be satisfied until about 30 wraps. I am surprised any thread is left to catch on the fittings. He did not a bad job and I only needed to tighten one fitting later.

Then we extended the water lines to front of the garage where we also put up the new Bosch on-demand water heater. This time I closely supervised and made sure he lined things up properly. I asked Michael to call the Kywi installer to come finish the installation so the Bosch 2-year warranty will be valid. With any luck they will be able to do that soon, maybe tomorrow as well.

At 2:30 Jorge and Michael showed up along with the welding guys to discuss amending the main gate so it will swing outwards. The welders will return in the morning to install a new lock and to tack up heavy screen to the inside so nobody can tamper with the gas, heater, or my bike which will all be in that front corner.

Fred was up in the main shower and cleaned up all the debris which I carefully spread out on the dirt road in front as it helps keep any dust down to a minimum. That was Freddy Flintstone’s last act and I can’t say that I am sorry to see him gone. At least I can discuss things with Enrique and get things done properly.

Everyone disappeared and I didn’t know if and when anyone was returning. I called Jorge and he said they would be there in 5 minutes. He returned with Freddy, who packed up his gear, and dropped off replacement bathroom tiles, plumbing+drain items needed for the tub installation, and the screen and lock for the front gate.

All in all it was a good day and we are finally seeing progress.

Bella continues to shop for items for the house and I suggested she call in the drapery people to make their measurements. Our move-in date is getting closer, we can feel it.

I bought a phony plant from a roaming salesman and was tagged by some woman trying to sell nutrition supplements. The people going by on the paths are fun and interesting to watch. I was waving to a young fellow walking with his Mom so she came over to talk and I got a nice shot of the little guy. I just love these dark-eyed kids.

I watched a young lady with a hyper-active white puppy that almost got lost in the grass but he would just bounce his way through. I should have taken a video but my battery was too low. We are so going to love this new place when we get settled.

When I got home I called Marcelo, the gas man, to bring me a new propane tank and regulator at 9:00am to the new place as the Water heater installer will need to test the machine.

Bella is off tutoring Segundo and my eyes are getting heavy….

That was today’s excitement. Hugs to all.