Smells like teen spirit

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
This week we went down to a small town called La Trinitaria about 2 hours away to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity with a groups of teenaged kids from Washington, DC. We just can’t get enough of teens.
It was really fun. Except for the food poisoning I got from the food the family served us. The teens were very energetic & hardworkers. We got to try out a new technique for this area that is more earthquake-proof. Considering we have already felt 2 earthquakes in 3 months, it seems like a good move.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
The home owner, Israel, said that he learned the technique from a Peruvian. It involves cementing the walls along wire mesh instead of cinderblocks. This way, the walls are more flexible.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Paco, Isreal’s son, was also a great helper.
It’s hard to say who benefits more from these projects. I’m not sure I would be brave enough to have a bunch of unskilled Americans have at it with my new home. But, the Mexicans were very kind to let us try & help. Even if unexperienced, manual labor is good for the soul, if not for the construction.