St. George Caye Day

Last Saturday was St. George Caye Day.  (The Battle of St. George's Caye was a short military engagement that lasted from 3 to 10 September 1798, off the coast of what is now Belize. However, the name is typically reserved for the final battle that occurred on 10 September.)

The town had festivities over the weekend.  A couple of events included students from the local schools in a parade, as well as the traditional "greasy pole".   The object of the "greasy pole" was to climb up to the top of a greased up telephone pole where a flag was waiting to be successfully retrieved.  Many Belizeans tried as one person stood on top of the other.  Several fell like dominoes in their attempt.  At last, in the evening, a group of about 10 were successful. We knew one of the guys near the bottom who had worked on the property with us in the past.

Next Wednesday, September 21, Belize celebrates it's 30 year anniversary of independence!

Students marching

Getting ready for the parade

High School students ready to march

Ready to go!

The "greasy pole"

Cheering on the "greasy pole" contest

Cistern Plans and Pics

Plans for the cistern have been completed.  Our draftsman updated seven pages to our building plans for the cistern.  Meanwhile it has been raining continually for the past several days.  If the cistern was complete already, we would probably have a full cistern!   

Water is very costly on the island during dry season therefore building a cistern is cost effective in the long run.  On a side note, San Pedro had little to no rain for several months during dry season.

Two building sites have been very helpful for our understanding of cisterns and construction in general.  Below are some of the pictures from those sites to help you see what we will be experiencing in the near future when the building begins.   Notice the amount of plywood, rebar and concrete that goes into the work.

Site One with rain water during construction

Site One with lots of rebar

Site Two - rain water has been drained

Site Two

Site Two - building materials (gravel and sand)

 

Barge and Trucks

We met with a barge company yesterday to learn more about materials being purchased for building.  Wanting to be good stewards of the funds being allocated for building, we have been diligent to understand the cost of materials, how things are built in Belize and how contractors work on the island.

The barge company informed us that effective September 1st, large trucks such as dump trucks, are no longer allowed to pass over the bridge to the north side of the island.  We have not had any materials delivered on site for a while therefore we were unaware of this change.  Because of this change, all materials delivered north of the bridge currently have to be barged.  The barge company suggested that we purchase materials from Belize City for quality and cost purposes when we are ready to start the process.  The meeting was very informative and helpful.

 

Pizza Challenge - Next Section Complete

Workers were promised a pizza when the next section of the property was filled with mud. (The mud hardens so that we can walk and drive across the property.)   

Working diligently for a few weeks on this section, this week was an exceptional week of accomplishment for the property.  We anticipated this section would be finished by the end of the week but everyone pitched in to see it completed today. The property's horizon continues to broaden. 

Last week - section being filled on the left

Beginning of week - spreading the mud

Half way finished

One corner left in the section to fill

Section filled on the right - pizza on the way!

Building Site Preparation Continues and Plans for a Water Cistern

The mud operation continues as we fill the property in preparation for the building site.  A new wheel barrel was also purchased to gain more ground.  Another section of the first acre should be completed by the end of week.

Meanwhile we have been observing other building sites and learning about pilings, casting concrete, water cisterns, etc.  Being on the lagoon side and a significant distance from the main road, water will be an issue as we begin building.  This thought provoking concern brought our attention to the need for more water once the first building is complete.  Originally we planned to have two water tanks on site for the first building and adding a water cistern to the next buildings.  However with the need for water and cost of transport as a couple of reasons, we have decided to add a cistern to the first building.  Our Belizean draftsman is working out two new additional sheets to our original building plan to add this feature.  Updated plans should be ready within a week.

Waving from afar

Gaining new ground

Using the new wheel barrel

 

Recycle and Treating Bodega

Skeptical of the the uses of burnt (used) motor oil, locals told us that it would preserve the bodega.  Paint is expensive and mechanics will give you burnt motor oil to use (or sell it for a very reasonable price depending if you are a local Belizean or known in town).  It acts almost like a varnish or stain keeping the rain from bowing and destroying the handy-work of our bodega as well as keeping termites away.  With several locals supporting the idea, we decided to go for it. 

To our surprise it turned out to be a beautiful finish like a rich, dark stain in the States.  We left it to dry and will see the results in the next couple of days but so far, so good!

On an island many things are a commodity that we would discard in the States.  Although there is no "recycling center" many things are recycled just like our burnt motor oil.

Before Oil

Work in Progress

Oiled and Complete

Trash Day and High Tide from Hurricane Irene

We heard through the grape vine that trash was being picked up north of the bridge on Saturday.  (Normally people have to figure out trash pickup on their own.)  This was a special campaign to help clean up the community therefore large items such as stoves, refrigerators, etc were also picked up.  

We arrived to the property Saturday morning to clean up the side of our road where a small casita was taken down weeks ago.  Needless to say the volunteer began the campaign right at the edge of our road.  The wooden boards were collected and put in a hole and buried (things are done differently on an island) right next to our road.  Across the street a pile of old rusty equipment was collected by a dump truck and taken away.  Trash all over the road and surrounding area were collected and taken to town to be compacted.  

trash pickup

picking up trash bags and large metal items

Wood being buried next to our road

On a side note, we watched the water rise higher than ever as the volunteers picked up trash down the road.  Workers continue to make progress with moving mud to build a stable (dry) foundation.  We are definitely seeing the progress where the mud has been placed.  Please pray for the water to go down so work can continue as planned.  When the water dries up the mud will become firm (almost like concrete) and we will have a smooth foundation to built upon.

Building a bridge with mud/lodo

Dry land in the back by the building site and bodega/storage shed