A week to remember

Wow what a week! We've been waiting for Vecinos house to come down. He's been working on it a little bit at a time. He had 2-3 helpers Monday, and Tuesday dismantling the old house. Wednesday he had one helper, and they started building a platform in the corner.

I moved all the patio furniture, plants and decorations, so when the machine came, we'd be ready...but no machine ever came.

Then dismantle stopped, and rebuild started. Vecino (recently learned his name is Manata) had taken a palm tree out not too long ago, and this is where they are building his new raised floor house. The raised floor, also gives them somewhere to store the lumber they took off the old house.

Maybe after he gets the new structure built, and can move his things, the machine will come and tear down the earthquake damage. 

Also this week, we have been lake front property again.

The first day I didn't need to leave, the second day I just carried my shoes and got wet. I did that twice, then Manata made me a walkway thru his ruble and property.

After tear down of the old house, we'd like to talk about making a pathway to the street. As it turns out our only entrance and exit is sometimes not easily accessible. But! The boys of the neighborhood have thouroughly enjoyed the lake! Many many hours of fun has been had out front!

This was morning shift, these guys have been here before, but this time they had real boats. Upon further inspection they appear to be cardboard covered in fiberglass, maybe a thin wood, but very light weight. They had nets with buoys and floating flags, the whole nine yards. 

These boys came later, they didn't have boats, but use what they could. Surfing on a plank, and using the boat roller as a raft. Two sets of brothers, so we need four boats for these kids.

He was having such a great time! Somewhere along the way lost his pants, that actually happens often! I've never seen so many men and boys in their underwear!

His boat was a painted chunk of wood, with net being trailed behind. 

The evening shift had a shrimp boat! It was a good first attempt, but had some weight issues, and would sink if not held on to. The boys loved it none the less, and the big fishermen enjoyed watching them too.

Even a couple of dogs enjoyed the lake!

I will keep taking pictures of Manata's progress, but one more story...Mike dislocated his shoulder yesterday morning. An old injury he has been careful of our entire married life, then yesterday while stretching, pop! I looked on YouTube but could not get it, so we just headed to town. As we walked thru Vecinos yard, we asked for help, they didn't seem to want to jump in, so we kept walking. Around the corner we saw women who said they would be our companion to the doctor. Great, but we need a car. We spotted Chino, a fishermen who has helped us before, and has a truck, he was on a quest from his wife to Jenny's for groceries. While he was inside, he told Campos, Jenny's husband our need. Within minutes we had at least three vehicles, and numerous companions, ready to take us to Charapoto.

Jenny ended up taking us, and called her son Xavier to translate, but we really didn't need him, we all knew what the problem was. Joffre also jumped in the truck with us. We went to a sports medicine office, and when I say office...we actually were in a carport, as some of this building was being repaired from earthquake. It took three men, some time, some muscle relaxant, and warm compresses to get his shoulder back in place, but oh once it was...sweet relief! $17 and a couple hours, glad that's over! He feels a little beat up today, and he pretty much was, those guys weren't gentle.

What a way to end the month. Can't believe June is almost over! The summer solstice came and went, and that means the sun will start moving back our direction. We do enjoy cooler weather, it's only been in the high 70's. Stay tuned, the adventure continues!