Trip 2 [Build] Day 2

It's Friday, which means it's the end of the workweek (already!). Because we just arrived on Wednesday, there were only two days to start the new houses. It was also a very, very rainy day. As a trip veteran, I would even say it was without a doubt the rainiest day I've seen here. We got drenched on the way to the worksite and then spent a good bit of time in one of the family's houses waiting for the rain to let up (and returned a few times during the day when it got too heavy for work again).

As we found out, there were definite pros and cons to having a rainy work day. On the plus side, being indoors with the families meant that we had extra time to bond with them. The family members were somewhat tentative on the first day, but the kids especially had warmed up to us by today and we had a great time with them. The families don't speak Spanish, so it is sometimes more difficult to communicate with them, but both parties are very patient and tend to get enough of a conversation going.

On a downside, we got very wet and muddy. The houses are being built into a hillside and the rain created quite tricky work conditions. We still ended up quite well for the day, almost on par for where we should be in building, and muddy boots can't slow us down!

After we got cleaned up, we went to a German restaurant where the From Houses to Homes crew met up with us for dinner. I was really happy to have the opportunity to socialize with the workers outside of our work on the house. It's a reminder that we are all regular people who have come together to make something great happen. And it's also a good time, of course!

I have decided to call it a night somewhat early (it is a Friday night, after all) in order to rest up for our hike on Pacaya tomorrow. I am really looking forward to it again. I am also looking forward to seeing everyone else's reaction to being on top of an active volcano. It's a pretty impressive scene!

On a personal note, when I first arrived, I was feeling different from the "noobs" who are here experiencing Guatemala for the first time. I didn't have the rush of being somewhere so differnet like they are experiencing. But now, I am very much enjoying Guatemala in a different way. Much like a movie being watched again, I get to see things I didn't see last time. Also, I get happiness out of watching those who are being bitten by the Guatemala love bug.

- Lindsay Flis