The work on the gazebo continues. Doing the roof rafters was quite a problem for the workers, because with 6 sides, the angles are very tricky and Jose is very demanding and requiring that they not only get it right, but that it looks right. He had them move some secondary rafters because he wanted them turned the other way. We also found out about how some things are done here in Mexico. The workers need 240 volt power for their welding equipment. However, because we don’t use use electric stove, electric water heater or clothes dryer, we have only a single 120 volt wire into the house. However, this problem was solved by bringing 2 long wires (at least 150 feet) to go from the back of the house, across the street to the power pole. There, they use a long bamboo pole to hook the wires over the power lines. Today out walking, I saw another house with wires leading from the power pole into a house where there is no meter! Apparently, construction workers do this all the time. I expect there are quite a few places where the meter is bypassed.
We have had Jose’s workers do a couple of other jobs as well. There was a leak in the master bathroom where the drain from the roof (it is flat there) comes down through the wall. Also, they added about a foot to the bevelled lift up the curb to the driveway. The front of the car (and in the middle too if there was a load in the car) frequently scraped. Finally, they installed an electric plug beside the fountain and ran the wire under the grass, up the side of the wall and into a kitchen plug with a switch. Now we can turn the fountain on/off from inside the house.
Today is an adventure for Barbara. There is a big craft/art show in Tlaquepaque with artisans/artists from all over Mexico and even farther in Latin America. Someone had to stay home to let the workers in. I did that while Barbara drove the 4 ladies from Halifax in. This is the first time that she has driven much in Guadalajara and certainly the first time she has driven in by herself. She called on the cell to tell me that they had made it in without any trouble and she has now reported that they are all back safe and sound in Ajijic. Driving to Tlaquepaque is pretty straightforward. However, after this, Barbara may feel more confident about driving in.
After a whirlwind decision to move from Halifax to Mexico. we set out on April 30, 2008. This blog began as an email log to some of our friends. A blog seems a more efficient medium to share impressions. We hope that it is entertaining and even informative.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment