Here are some photos of the new project I am helping Dexter out on. It will be an interesting structure by the time we are done following the architects plans. It is not something that I would build for myself personally, but to each his own. Out of respect for the owners I am not going to give out much information about the project, but I am going to post some photos occasionally so friends can see our handy work.
Enjoy,
My lovely lady has opened her on store here in Pedasi, it’s called Pucha’s. Pucha’s rents bikes, surfboards and snorkels, sells clothing by Hurley and carries organic cosmetic and bath products from Burt’s Bees and Alba Hawaii. The only store with in 25 miles with organic products. Wow, Pedasi is really changing. Maybe one day Pedasi will have more than one kind of fresh vegetable at a time in a market. That would be amazing. I digress. Anyways, she also has a ton of different Pucha memorabilia, it sells like hot cakes. In case you do not know, Panamanians love Pucha. Almost as much as I do. I am really proud of her. The store is located on the main road next to the gas station as you come in to town on the left. When you come to Pedasi remember to stop by and pick up some Puchadise.
Nothing makes a mess of a construction area like concrete work. My once beautifully crafted wooden home has now been covered in a grey cement powdery film. Oh well, it’s worth the mess, the stucco must go on. Rubiel, a contractor from Tonosi, has been brought on board to do the stucco work. I do not have the time, experience or patience to do this type of work. I would rather leave this to an expert and Panamanians are experts in all things cement. He is doing a fine job, in a week or two the stucco project should be completed.
Also, we have started the garage/workshop/storage area next to the house and finished the electrical wiring. I was lucky enough to have an electrical engineer friend from England help me to wire the entire house to first world standards. It was a fairly easy job since the house is built up off the ground.
The garage is being built strictly out of concrete, load bearing structural grade foam panels and metal. I hired another contractor from Las Tablas named Luis to handle this project. Luis and his team have finished the foundation and should be pouring the slab this week. Hopefully the garage will be completed within a month or so.
I have had to contract some jobs out in a need to speed things up. I need the garage done before the rainy season starts (it’s coming soon) to store tools and materials in and to have a nice area to make doors and shutters amongst other things. Also, though it is taking up some of my time, I am helping on another carpentry project in the Pedasi area (see blog post).
Luis and Rubiel are doing great work so far. I am glad they are on board to help. Luckily, labor is still inexpensive here.
Ojo de Agua, Panama