Last Day...

It is always an emotional time saying goodbye, and it was no different in Comanesti. We made such a difference here to the four-plex, meaning that four families will be in their homes sooner, because we were here!

Itchy, itchy, scratchy, scratchy

Once again day 7 began with our morning instructions and safety talk from Cyprian and Cristina but work did not start until after several group photos were taken. Then it was back at insulation and drywall - hence the title for today.First job, lifting the many sheets of drywall into the house and up to the second floor. All teams moved upstairs and then the dust really got flying as we worked in each house! The downstairs is now finished with drywall - and will have to be left to the next team for taping, sanding and painting...what fun they will have!

Energy was a bit low and more people joined the expresso run at the little corner market today. And a few more stole a little nap at lunch. The afternoon continued with work but also some fun. Kodi was popular with our foremen today when he treated them to some nice cold Ursus at day's end.   It's hard to believe tomorrow is our last day at the work site. We are certainly proud of the work we have done here in Comanesti but also everyone is feeling a little sad about leaving.

After work we headed into the bustling metropolis of Comanesti for a little shopping and visit to the Habitat office.

Day 6 - Drywall, eating and napping

It was a little difficult to get up this morning for a second week of building - we asked ourselves "What is more exhausting building or visiting?", but when we arrived on site we were greeted by a resounding "Buna Dimineata!" (good morning) of our coworkers with mighty Cyprian as our foreman.We were very happy to be back on site. We enjoy working with the Romanain team because they are always smiling, joking and caring.

We continued doing drywall and started on the second floor. Some of you who have viewed the pictures commented that this house is big, it is important to specify that this is for 4 families. Two houses top and bottom on the front, and two on the back. Each day we have members from the family helping out as well.

For lunch we had spaghetti, giant portions! Then Wim starting to be comfortable with life in Romania, after his morning coffee at the little store next door,  went to have a nap under the neighbours tree. Although it is as hot as the previos days, we are getting used to the temperature.

It is worth mentioning that on our team we have two strong boys of 15 and 16 years old, Victor and Jacob, they work very hard and always with a smile. Both parents are very proud, and what is absolutely great is that all the team is looking out for them.

Michelle

Transylvania, Dracula and castles

As our build is across the Carpathians mountains, we had to cross over to the other side, to Transsylvania (indeed, that means "across the forest"). After a beautiful trip we visited the stunning Peles castle and the famous Bran castle that was said to be the dwelling place of Dracula! At the castle we had a tour guide who said "No way, there has never been such a guy", it was just a story......, sorry! Anyway, the Romanians adopted the story and today it is one of the "must see" places in the country, located strategically at the border of the past. Apart from the interesting stuff in the castle, there was enough interesting stuff at the market in front of the castle.

Happy after the injection of so many historical facts, we went to Brasov where we stayed in the middle of the music festival. Nobody in town had stayed at home and so the main square was filled up, so were we after this long day.

On Sunday, Iulia, our own tour guide, led us through the city and we learned that Brasov is a nice place to stay. Tired after so much sightseeing work we went back to the other side where we arrived by evening, refreshed to start our second week of build!         
                                                                                                                                                        Wim

Day 5 - More insulating, drywall and football!!

Today was a hot one and once again the giant marshmellow suits were brought out for insulating the rest of the downstairs, with the drywall teams close behind. We moved quickly with each apartment having the main downstairs living areas done. There was a bit of a problem as one of the units is going to be the home of a handicapped woman and after much discussion with Valy, Dom and Lilian (the homeowner of this house) the original dryway had to come down and the bahroom door reframed. But not a problem for this team, and we continued on. Jacob, Fiona, David and Jennifer moved upstairs and managed to insulate all exterior walls - quite a puzzle at times as no two beam spaces were the same size!




















                                  After work it was time for the Romania - Canadian/Holland football challenge!  It was great because we had quite a cheering section, and many of the wives and children came to cheer too. Thanks to our "All Star Fiona" the score was a respectable 6 - 4.....not too bad for some gringos (with a little help from Cyprian).    We set off for dinner in high spirits as the weekend is R&R at Bran Castle and Peles Castles!

Day Four - The Mayor, Insulation and dancing!

Day Four began with a visit to Moinesti town hall, where we had an audience with the mayor, who gave us all certificates attesting that we were Friends of Moinesti. We also visited the gallery of photos from the history of the area. Recently unearthed in the area is a 7 000 year old pottery bowl with signs of black oil, indicating it could be the earliest documented use of the black gold, and thousands of years before OPEC began to set the price. Off the to work site, six of us donned snowman suits, complete with dust masks and goggles to begin installing fibreglass insulation in the ceiling and walls downstairs. While others began to install drywall, one team finished off the exterior with the first layer of stucco. To say it was hot would be a tremendous understatement. We worked around each other as best we could, and stayed positive about why we were here to work in the first place. We are enjoying each others company, and are really having a lot of laughs with Cyprian, Vali, Vasili, Radu and Dantes, our Romanian crew.

We got back to the hotel to clean up, have a cold drink and try out the newly filled swimming pool. Wading pool would be more accurate, but it was cool and refreshing. We were then treated to a traditional dinner of dolmades (stuffed vine leaves) and stuffed peppers, which was all delicious. Then a group of young locals from a dance studio in town entertained us with many traditional folk dances from the area. We were very pleased to be pulled up and encouraged to participate!

Day 3 - last stucco coat and Insulation

The work progresses well while the sun got hotter today. Temperatures got close to 40 oC and made the shadowed side of the building more popular. Nevertheless, the team spirit was great again and cooperation with our fellow workers from Romania was good. These men mostly live in Comanesti, Moinesti (where we actually build) or other places in the neighborhood. We communicate in Romanenglish.
As the coffee breaks were lacking coffee, the needy among us were saved by the little shop across the street where real coffee is prepared by an old style Italian espresso machine. The price is a killer, namely one Lei.

     

Today was only a half day and then it was off to the salt mine for some healthy air. Quite an intesresting place, you can play basketball, have a coffee, swing at the playground and even send an email, all from 240 m below ground!

Day Two - Plaster, plaster and more plaster!

Today we continued to enjoy working together and learn new things. This is a great team for finding things to do. We may be working on a job that gets finished, and then find somewhere else to help. It was hot again, but there was a breeze that kept us from melting! We are being told that we are progressing faster than they expected us to, and that always makes us feel good.


Tonight for dinner we were driven out to the Magura monastery, where we had a tour of the church and the grounds, after a hair-raising drive up the side of a large hill. After dinner we were greeted by the head priest, who showed us where the animals are kept and then his house. He talked to us about how life was for a priest during the communist regime; he had to shave his beard, and was not allowed to wear his black coat. He had us all take a seat in his dining room, where he opened a bottle of his special remedy made from the root of a plant in a bottle of alcohol. It was very potent, and we all felt much better! This was an experience that none of us have ever experienced and is such a wonderful part of Habitat builds when we get to learn more about the local culture.

Day 1

A great start to the build! We are working on a four-plex and today we started with outside insulation and adding to the roof. Our large team was divided into smaller groups and we each worked with a leader on our task, Cyprian, Vasli, and Christina our wonderful GV co-ordinator. We quickly got into the rythm of this kind of build and made quick headway. It was also wonderful to hear conversations among ourselves, the local all workers and the family members.  The day ended on time and ahead of schedule already. Way to go Canada!

                                                             

                                                                

Then it was time to head to the hotel for some relaxation and beverages on the sunny patio and a traditional Romanian welcome dinner with Habitat Comanesti. I think we will all sleep well tonight.

Jennifer

Our team has arrived! This morning we left the heat of Burcharest for our build in Comanesti. The drive took us past acres of corn and sunflower fields, small roadside stands selling watermelons, squash and tomatoes, vineyards and small towns offering a glimpse of rural life. We also saw several horse drawn wagons, families out enjoying a Sunday afternoon and neighbour's and friends visiting on front yard benches. Eventually we made our way into the little hills to our hotel. We settled in to enjoy the view, get to know each other a little more and have a delicious but very delayed dinner! Tomorrow we meet one of our families,and see the work site. We are all eager to get building! Watch for pictures and more posts soon.

Letsgobuild Global Village Comanesti, Romania

We are getting ready to lead our sixth GV build, and this time we are heading to Romania. We are taking 16 year old Jacob with us, as he really wanted to see Eastern Europe. We are travelling across Europe to get there, and will meet our team on Saturday July 21st in Bucharest. More soon!