Gringos de Marimán

Sorry, but I don't have too much new progress to report this week. Our big event of the week, Monday´s blizzard, limited most activities. Longtime Pucóninos proclaimed the snowfall highly unusual (once a decade, once every 30 years, once every take your pick). Although the snow did hamper the crew's commute to the parcela, the main problems resulted from the 3 1/2 day electrical outage. It's tough to fasten siding manually with screwdrivers. We also celebrated a mid-week festivo, the feast of the Assumption on Wednesday, which came at a good time since the crew couldn't accomplish much anyway.

The maestros actually did finish installing the small pieces of siding between the window frames, but then everyone's attention switched to the techo.

The snow helped to locate a number of leaks in the seams around the perimeter of the main techo. The hojalateros had left several of these spots unsoldered (albeit covered in plastic) until the siding was completed since the sheetmetal caps cover the top edge piece. The slow melting snow convinced the crew that it might be better to finish soldering sooner rather than later. They also decided to add an extra layer of madera in the center of the garaje techo to provide more tilt and support a little more weight, just in case we ever have the (20/60/2x? year) snowfall.

By week´s end the finished caps reflected the return of the sun.

I think we're ready for another test now, but I don't mind waiting 10/30/? years for the next big snowfall. I'm sure a typical Chilean rainstorm should provide enough of a workout for all this sheetmetal.

The hojalateros also added a cap for the landing of the stairway. Soon the maestros will add piping under this cap for the solar water panels located above the terazza.

Although the sun returned, the siding remained on hold. Seems we ran out of material and won't receive delivery until Monday. Seemed fitting, considering how this week had gone.

The gasfiters had plenty of tubing for the pisos radiantes. They designed some intricate mazes to ensure thorough comfortable coverage.

I think these guys must create hedgerow labyrinths in their spare time.

Thanks to the quick drying tierra Juan pieced together most of the east pirca wall.

One more notable event, another new mascota showed up in the parcela.

Appears to be a special breed, Chile kitten, of course. Hasta la proxima!! Hopefully with more to report!!!