Firstly I would like to apologise for long delay in getting a new post up in so long. Before I explain the reasons for that I would like to go through a few pics that I took over the last two days I worked over a month ago now.
Above is the septic tank with shuttering, ready for concrete to be poured.
Above is the septic tank complete with concrete base. Monies were tight at this stage so we tried to finish off a few jobs with the materials we already had lting around.
These jobs included, using planks that were left over to builf the bathroom walls and using stones on the site to form a pathway and entrance to the house.
The weekend after I took these photos I went to Antigua to kill time waiting for funds to come through and for some R and R. On the Saturday night I was in Reillys having a few pints and about 12.30 I decided to take a walk for some food. I was walking along the street and the next thing I knew I was stabbed in the leg. (calm down Liz im fine) The boy with the knife started waving the knife at me so I told him to calm down and take what he wanted. His girlfreind (they get my vote for couple of the year award in OK magazine) then proceeded to go through my pockets, took my phone, left my credit card and about 35 euro in my pocket. They werent exactly cat burglars has to be said. I then met a couple who rang an ambulance and I asked them to go tell one of the lads (Deane) what happened and to follow me out. The hospital was the finest of services. Id expect less from a hospital in Ireland truth be told. I had to get a tetnis injection and 3 stitches. The next day I couldnt really walk so I got a lend of crutches off a friend. I was on them for about 3 weeks in total. I then went to a specialist to see was everything ok and he confirmed it was thankfully and that I just needed to do some excercises to build back up the muscle and take care of it for at least 3 weeks. I suppose I took so long to write about this because I wanted to have some perspective on the whole matter that I couldnt have had around the time and also because I didnt want anyone worrying back home. I am telling it now mainly because there are a lot of people that have an interest in the work im doing due to sending funds etc so I feel I need to explain why the project has been on hold for so long without word.
How do I feel about the whole thing now? I am still pretty pissed off that it happened at all and I hope the two fools that did it die a slow and painful death. I argued in the past that when people were getting robbed near volcan agua that it wasnt a simple case of right and wrong, as the families in the region were probably desperate to feed there families as the area had been badly hit by landslides in the months previous. In that case the roberies, I heard of at least, were non violent and they simply asked for the money etc. Literally the first thing I knew about being robbed was a steak knife in my leg. Pure stupidity as they could have killed me if they had hit an artery, and I would have given them the shitty phone without a word if they had of asked. In saying this I have to take a lot of blame for putting myself in the situation in the first place. I had a good few pints in me and should have known better to be walking around antigua at night by myself. Im sure that they seen I had a few pints in me before they decided to rob me and that if I hadn't of been alone it would nt have happened either.
How do I feel about Guatemala now? I can honestly say I feel the same way about Guatelemala now as I did a month ago. I love the place. I got robbed in a dangerous city because I was stupid. Would it happen in Dublin, New York or London in similar circumstances? Yes of course it would. If I had of been robbed by the people I am here to work with in Huehue that would be totally different. It is not the case however and it would be totally unfair to think otherwise. Would it be fair for me to feel guilty over what Larry Murphy has done? No. I dont regret anything I have done here or plan to do as I know I have recieved more from Guatemala than I could ever give back.
O and by the way I was going to post a pic of the scar but it is so pathetic looking that im not going to bother. Looks like I had an altercation with a kitten over a spool of wool. Pathetic, I was hoping at least to get a decent looking scar to go along with the story. But nope.... O yea went down to visit some frineds opening a bar in nicargau last week. Got bit by a vampire bat. Month of rabies shots. Thank got October is over : ) All good too, 2 more shots to get and im grand.
Right so moving on............
Myself and Gavin arrived in Huehue today and we will be here until the project is finshed, hopefully before December. I will have a new post up on the blog this weekend and will have one every sunday thereafter.
Rory!! are you ok? I was going to write here to ask for the earthquake and I read this!! I hope your leg is better now. I don´t know if you feel the heartquake in Huehue, I hope everybody is ok there. We are happy to know that the proyect will be finished before December. kisses and hugs to everybody and TAKE CARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteJon & Amaia