I was reading how “Americanadians” tend to value efficiency in our work – thus bigger (or maybe smaller) & better machines & technology. We value efficiency so much we’ve automated ourselves out of jobs. On the other hand, other cultures value relationships & so efficiency isn’t always a big priority. Earning enough money for the week is important & so is working with those we like. I would like to think that we can take the good from both sides of the coin, but you know how hard it is to balance a coin on it's side. It’s interesting to watch the work being done on the property right now. I'm learning so much!
Julio & Luis & Jose are putting in an underground watering system which has led to trenches being dug by hand all over the yard. These stay open until the pipe & I think some wiring get laid & then eventually get covered in. As I stepped over the trench by the casita day after day, I wondered why they don’t finish one section at a time instead of having open trenches everywhere! Julio obviously knows what he’s doing, so I question more out of curiosity, but I think I would do it differently. That being said, how convenient it will be when Brian can water the trees for months by setting a timer once!
Heriberto & his crew are putting the insulated cement roof on the bodega as well as upgrading the structure with different windows & air conditioning. First breaking down the cement/brick walls with just a hammer is hard work! Making the wall smooth must give theses guys repeated stress injuries. And I was just watching them “walk the plank” up to the roof, a bucket of cement in hand, with the greatest of ease. There may be more efficient ways but they would certainly not keep these men employed! Not unlike many workers in our country, these guys are ready to leave by 4:59!
Now Pascual is also here. He’s doing tiling – floors & shower walls in the casita & replacing tiles in the kitchen. He is so detail-conscious & perfect for the job. But he’s also willing to do things that aren’t his expertise. Before he started tiling, he cleaned out this place that had been home to bats & who know what other creatures – imagine what it looked like! He works long days & then runs a hot dog stand on the weekend in the evening (after tile work during the day).
Julio & Luis & Jose are putting in an underground watering system which has led to trenches being dug by hand all over the yard. These stay open until the pipe & I think some wiring get laid & then eventually get covered in. As I stepped over the trench by the casita day after day, I wondered why they don’t finish one section at a time instead of having open trenches everywhere! Julio obviously knows what he’s doing, so I question more out of curiosity, but I think I would do it differently. That being said, how convenient it will be when Brian can water the trees for months by setting a timer once!
Heriberto & his crew are putting the insulated cement roof on the bodega as well as upgrading the structure with different windows & air conditioning. First breaking down the cement/brick walls with just a hammer is hard work! Making the wall smooth must give theses guys repeated stress injuries. And I was just watching them “walk the plank” up to the roof, a bucket of cement in hand, with the greatest of ease. There may be more efficient ways but they would certainly not keep these men employed! Not unlike many workers in our country, these guys are ready to leave by 4:59!
Now Pascual is also here. He’s doing tiling – floors & shower walls in the casita & replacing tiles in the kitchen. He is so detail-conscious & perfect for the job. But he’s also willing to do things that aren’t his expertise. Before he started tiling, he cleaned out this place that had been home to bats & who know what other creatures – imagine what it looked like! He works long days & then runs a hot dog stand on the weekend in the evening (after tile work during the day).
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