The Fruits of Lots of Labor

KITCHEN BEFORE

It's been almost two weeks of daily work around Casa K. What started out as a few simple things on our wish list has turned into much more involved work. We have had tile workers, albanils, and painters all working outside as well as inside the house. Some days we all eat breakfast in and around the house, some days it is lunch. and some days we go out and leave the house to the workers. Some days there is a lot of talking and laughing, and some days it is more work and less play. On all days there is concrete, sand, paint, and mud tracked through the house. I have learned to get used to it. All days have been filled with lots of work. There has been lots of sharing of tools, buckets, and the coveted one ladder that has been in high demand out in front of the house, in back of the house, and in the house. Everybody managed to willingly wait their turn for the ladder use. I know today alone it went back and forth through the house at least 20 times, carefully passing through the kitchen where Terry and I were working away as the interior painters. And I am not kidding about the 20 times. There have been lots of hugs given for each craftsman's work by fellow workers and by us.
Today I went around the corner and bought tortillas from the tortelleria. All 7 of us here today sat down where ever we could find a place to scrambled eggs, chorizo, onion, refried beans and cheese tacos. It was me that got the kudos this time.
As the workers worked, Terry and I worked along beside them. Once Esad completed the tile job in the kitchen, we took over with scraping walls, preparing for paint, and then doing the actual painting. We painted the kitchen while the other workers used the space to get from the front of the house to the back.

We have all become friends. 

Trinidad, one of the exterior house painters, shared his tips on taping and painting for the best results with us. As we praised Trini, Francisco, and Jose on the work they did to the exterior of the house, they in turn praised us on how well the kitchen turned out.
Today was a big day. The outside painting of the house and grillwork was completed. The kitchen is also complete as of today. And, Carlos and crew have almost completed the stairs and flower box.

Some valuable lessons we have learned are (1) Just because there is somebody coming to do work for you, don't assume they have the tools needed to do the job. A painter may show up empty-handed, but he knows how and is willing to paint. You may need to provide all the supplies, some of the supplies, or they may have all the tools and some of the supplies. (2) All of the supplies is not an option. Each day supplies is brought or you will be asked to go get what is needed, It is generally a little less than what is needed for the day. On the bright side - when a project is complete, you will NOT have any supplies left over. (3) Keep a sense of humor. Take advantage of learning some real-life Spanish. Terry and I have both learned a whole new set of vocabulary words conversing with the workers. (4) If you can't beat 'em join 'em. We found that since we were mostly homebound, it was best to have a project of our own. It took our minds off of going to the beach and lounging around with a cold beer in hand.

But, the day of going to the beach, lounging around, with a cold beer is mighty close!

ESAD WITH HIS FINISHED THE TILE

PAINT ADDED

TRIMMED WITH THE STRIPE...FINISHED!!!

BEFORE...LA CASA DE CREMA

  

FRANCISCO WAS THE QUIETEST OF ALL

ADDING THE FINISHING TOUCHES

JOSE, TRINIDAD & FRANCISCO IN FRONT OF THE BAHIA QUINO COLORED CASA

And this is the Our Lady of Guadalupe tile mosaica that Carlos spent hours driving us around all parts of Merida to track down. It was his determination and friendship, along with Esad's work that got it up on the wall literally within hours of the panters showing up to paint.  Thank you to Sr. Maldonado of Maya Hut who did the fabrication of it.

THE PATIO...A LIGHTER SHADE...MAS CLARO

 

AND YESTERDAY WE SAW THE FIRST PASSER BY THAT MADE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS AS THE LADY WALKED IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE...SO GLAD OUR LADY IS BACK ON THE WALL WHERE SHE HAD ONCE BEEN BEFORE

 

SR. MALDONADO

And as I finish writing this Friday morning, Carlos and his full crew are working on the stairs and flower box project. It won't be long now. Here is how it looks at the moment - 

CARLOS IS NEVER CAMERA SHY