Gringos de Marimán

This casa construction has a certain ebb and flow to it, which I'm sure is true of any large project. Some weeks the crew adds lots of little details which you might not notice if you didn't witness the process. Other weeks they cover up those details with masses of concrete or wood and you think there's been enormous progress, but you might have a difficult time appreciating all the underlying work involved. This was a detail week.

We're only building a single story casa, but the engineering for the roof is complicated by a number of factors. For one, we requested that the pasillo in front of all the windows have an overhanging eave to provide a little extra protection from the elements. Also, Andrés convinced us to add a terraza over the roof, requiring extra support, but taking advantage of the views. We've also included a pergola over the lower terraza with a solar hotwater system attached.

So this week I appreciated more detailed preparation for the roof. For example, to cut the pillars to the correct size, Claudio first climbed up (in the rain) to measure and mark each one.

Jose followed, straddling the braces and using the power saw to cut the pillars.

On the other side Enrique opted for a handsaw to top off this pillar.

After adjusting the pillar heights the crew added another level of framing between the pillars around the perimeter for the top terraza. Here you can see the completed downhill side and perhaps you'll also notice that it was still raining.

The skies cleared by midweek and the crew completed all the perimeter framing.

Next, Jose and Valdovino erected scaffolding on the lower terraza and started assembling the pergola supports for the solar hotwater system.

They constructed the other side support on the ground and they'll position it after the stairway to the terraza is in place.

Meanwhile Claudio and Enrique started to add triangular horizontal framing between the vertical supports.

Somewhere in here they'll be adding insulation, a bunch of 1x6's, and a lot of plywood . . .

since the bodega filled up with plywood and a flete delivered these stacks of wood . . .

and 4 large rolls of fisiterm 85, otherwise know as aislante or insulation.

You'll notice Jose had finished the pergola side frame by that time.

Of course, Juan finished up the back pirca wall.

Here you can spot the Dark Prince of Pain, the Angel of Suffering, and the Lord of the Damned (aka the pinhead) contemplating his next round of torture.

Or maybe he wanted to add his prints to the fresh concrete poured for the other pirca wall.

Fernando added even more luz and . . .

he pondered why gringos would need so many connections on one wall (PC's, tv, speakers, and yes, luz).

By Friday afternoon, I suffered from detail overload (sorry, I've skipped the plumbing additions), but the pinhead generously offered to go assist the workers with their lunches.

I decided to take a walk across the calle to the wonderful path that Tito and Alicia have so carefully tended. The path runs through the native forest along the edge of the mighty Rio Trancura.

Any fearless kayakers may want to check out these Saltos de Mariman, class 5 rapids.

Yes, it's a bit deafening above these falls.

Downstream the river appears a little calmer

but appearances can be deceiving.

Too bad the pinhead didn't come along, he really needs a bath.

On the calmer side, one can enjoy the sight of blooming copihue, Chile's national flower.

You only spot copihue in places with the right conditions and you can see the conditions are perfect along this path.

I particularly like spotting copihue amidst the arrayan rojo trunks.

It's tough getting a good close-up in these conditions, so this will have to do.

Tito and Alicia are the founders of the Parque Saltos de Mariman, the group of parcelas where our lot is located. You can see more information about the parcelas at their website. I'd particularly recommend Tito's video. Be sure to turn on the sound. (Shockwave format).

So that's almost it for lucky week 13. But first, I have to show you what I found in front of our portón one evening this past week. As I drove up the gravel calle, I peered through the dusk and the rain and I could swear that I saw a little bat. No, it was a batachica. She raced towards me as I got out of the car and opened the gate. I guess it was love at first sight.

Normally the pinhead waits on the other side of gate ready to maul anyone entering. Amazingly, the pinhead wanted no part of this little voodoo chile. Perhaps he's the one who's superstitious.

Now I had no strong desire to adopt yet another cat. But, if you've been following along, you know that we already have 4 cats that we brought along with us from the US of A. Those cats were part of a family that was abandoned in Claremont. They had the wonderful fortune of being abandoned across the street from Fran, the Mother Teresa of cat finders.

We're sure that bringing the cats along with us was one of the best decisions we've made and they've been great companions. So maybe finding a little batachica during week 13 will bring us even more luck. Hasta la proxima!!