Gringos de Marimán

We hope that all of you in the US enjoyed a pleasant memorial day weekend. No memorial day celebrations here, but Chile did celebrate a holiday last Monday the 21st. The holiday commemorates the Naval Battle of Iquique in 1879 when Captain Arturo Prat, one of Chile's great heroes, died while battling the Peruvian navy. Interestingly, Chile actually lost the battle, but they eventually won the War of the Pacific and control of much of the area that is now northern Chile (with access to the Pacific). To this day, Chile, Peru, and Bolivia still argue fiercely over control of this territory. One last historical tidbit, the war started after disputes over territories rich in natural resources - mainly nitrate loaded salitre (saltpeter) and bat guano used for producing fertilizers and gunpowder. Sounds very similar to the oil wars of our time.

I mentioned that last week the crew focused on the details. This week they started to cover everything up. And they did so quickly, especially considering we lost a day due to the holiday and another half day for an on-site meeting to review the progress and answer some questions. I think Kenny and Andrés wanted to make sure we didn´t want to add another 3 rooms to the house. Ok, Tuesday the crew started the cover-up with a nice light blue blanket of fisiterm aislante.

Lovely as the blanket was, the crew decided to cover it up with tablones. First, Valdovino measured and cut the boards.

Jose hoisted the tablones up to the techo.

And the madhammers, Claudio and Enrique, began to clave.

Across the techo they went and soon they had covered up the cover.

Still not satisfied, the guys climbed back up on Wednesday to add another cover.

This time the specs called for papel fieltro aluminizado, a further insulation and condensation barrier.

Or perhaps yet another Christo art project?

Ok, time to add some agua canales, just in case it rains.

These canales will be constructed from pieces of fierro galvanizado. Yes, there's fierro all over.

Meanwhile the crew started assembling the supports for the solar hot water panels which will sit above the lower terrazza. On this day we could have made very good use of the panels.

Of course not every day will be perfect for solar energy, but we'll also have a gas backup.

Yes, it was chilly in Chile.

On the main roof the hojalateros continued assembling the canales.

I think the name hojalateros is closely related to the expression Ojala!! As in Ojala, I hope there are no goteras!!! Spanish students, remember to use the subjunctive.

We still had plenty of aislante remaining (sorry, I grossly undercounted last week).

Time for some wall coverings.

So now we'll be covered with aislante on top and the sides.

And across the work room too. Let's hope those termopanel windows insulate as well.

Naturally the crew added cutouts for all those luz boxes.

Speaking of luz, Fernando created quite a maze. Reminds me of those LA freeway interchanges I so dearly miss.

To top off the week, the crew added the supports for the other section of the techo which will cover the pasillo.

I couldn't resist climbing up to get a bird's eye view.

Galvanizado y aluminizado, lado a lado.

And some extended fierro, since the roof overhangs on this side also.

And that's it for week 14. Hasta la proxima!!