Day Nine

The last day with the Haitians was really rewarding, but sad too. We miss them now they've gone, as the crew wont be coming back for day ten. We'll be back though, that I'm sure of! With all of our joined effort finally coming to fruition there was a lot of emotion today.

Me and Brian finished off the tiles on the skylight/ mushroom. Rory then plastered the re-bar structure, making sure that the middle is waterproof. I then followed Rory round and cleaned the bottle tiles afterwards. We also finished a few final touches to the main domes gutter, double checking that the gradient is just right to funnel all the water down the right way, and leave no standing water.After that we got the edge of fine plaster on the main dome finished, so that the shape and flow of the gutters lip looks good from the ground.

Phil and Bellasone finished all the packing out of the plastic bottles in the bathroom, (with the help and sometimes manic enthusiasm of the Haitian crew), the clean up for that little space took an incredibly long time! haha...

I also mixed quite a few batches of cement today, by hand. Our mixer has finally given up the ghost, which means working a lot harder to supply a good batch! Not too bad though, as the vast majority of the cement has already been used, and finished take a lot of time. but less material.

After lunch we all sat down together in the communal area of the build. Mike Reynolds presented each Haitian volunteer with their certificate (which will enable them to participate in further Earthship builds, as well as being a good work reference in Haiti), as well as the surprise of a $50 note. We paid them a very good labourers wage for the nine days, and they were overwhelmed! Every time someone took their cert and money they all cheered and clapped their approval. There was singing and they danced afterwards! It was definitely the highlight for everyone there.

Sadly they had to leave shortly afterwards, due to the election and their effect on the city. If the result is bad for the people there is rioting and often the danger of violence, if good then a ruckus of street parties spring up around the city. But it's not good to take risks.

So our Haitian friends left and we all shook hands, or hugged, exchanged e-mails and wished each other happiness and luck in the future- at least until next time! But part of me cant help thinking they'll need luck and love a little more then we will... I'm very hopeful that there will be a next time. Building have been built. and people inspired. This is just the shallow foundation of what could happen in Haiti!

Later in the evening we relaxed in the dome for a bit (narrowly avoiding a blown recluse, which move incredibly fast), then met up with a few people from another compound close by. Walking through the streets was nice, people seemed hopeful about the election, and on many street corners clusters of people gathered around old home made speakers (all warbling, or grating, out a multitude of Haitian music), eating, drinking and indulging in being happy. At the compound a few people player poker, but I just sipped a beer and thought about what we've achieved. And what we could still do...