construction topics

[Doris]

Bill, Sorry to hear about your rash. Bill B. warned us about that when we were out there. Sorry we missed you when you were there. I went out to the jungle a couple times when I was there, it was amazing. I cant believe the progress that has been made, even since we were there in July. Unfortunately we missed the festival, a little miss communication on canceled or not canceled due to the weather. Oh well, from what I hear it was a huge success and they plan on having many more events in the future. Where is your lot?? We are next door the the house Bill B. is living in now.

[flowerBill]

We're up top of Tohoku Park on the path. No road in yet, just took the path past Lilian's house. It's lot 124. I'm unclear on which is yours as there are acouple next to where Bill is living. We're planning on returning at the end of March. How about you all?

[flowerBill]

Here are some photos from our recent trip- might be boring to most but it does have photos of the palapa Lynn is building when it was near completion.

Lynn's palapa

Young Sacbe resident cleaning the Cenote

Entrance to one of the caves on our property

Fred at Coba on sacrificial altar

Fred with a tame Tejon in Tohoku Park

Portion of the lot cleared when we left

[Doris]

great photos Bill, thanks for sharing

[Knucklehead]

and tuned in

[auntieninny]

Hey FlowerBill!

Thanks for keeping everyone updated and an EXTRA BIG THANKS for posting pix of my project! Yer the best!

I inaugurated my palapa last Sunday on the new moon...AT LAST...and it was a great success. I invited four Mayan shaman women from Cozumel and all my female friends, old and new, to cleanse my land and palapa with pure feminine energy...nothing personal, guys!! There were over thirty of us!! The cleansing was followed by a celebration with champagne and orange juice...the guys were invited to this part...now we're ready to do some yoga and meditation!!

The lama Lhanang from Tibet will be the first guest to my palapa on February 10, 11 and 12 when he will give meditation classes...now, how much more good energy does a girl need??

Take care all and come and visit...my palapa is your palapa!

[flowerBill]

Hey Lynn,
Glad to hear about your palapa is finished- are the screens up now, and how did you mount them. Will there be yoga instruction eventually? I've often thought it might help my lower back and shoulder problems. How are things going on the path/road? Keep us posted. Feel free to post progress here if you want.

[flowerBill]

Hey, we're back after a three week stay on our place at Sacbe. We were able to begin construction on a two story palapa, bedroom upstairs, kitchen, dining room, bathroom downstairs. Ted hooked me up with a great carpenter named Angel who worked with family members on the project. We got poles up and the grass roof on. Also started opening up some caves.

Here is a shot of the poles starting to go up.


In the next one all the poles are in and the perimeter poles for the roof and 2nd floor as well


The next one shows rafter poles and how they join at the top


After that "los jiles" get attached to the rafters. The grass will be tied to them.


Grass is lashed down to these thin poles with braided black nylon fishing line.


The finished product is beautiful when seen from the inside. Our guys used entire bundles lashed in place. Some builders will split the individual bundles to make the grass go further. We were looking for greater durability and insulation.



Thanks to everyone who helped, Angel, Caesar, Claudio, Victor, Gary, Frankilin, Barbitas, Che, Lynn, Cam, Ted and Bill. It was nice to meet new people there and get to know others as well. We sure miss all of you and Sacbe. I'll try to do a more detailed trip report when we're more settled in.

[Bill B]

Hey FlowerBill, it was great having you guys back in the village. It is always a pleasure to see more positive energy and results here in paradise. I will be sure to send you updates on your project - and remind me if I get lazy about it!

[flowerBill]

Here are a few photos from our March trip that aren't related to house building.

This is Layla, our grand daughter, going out the path to our place.


This is Grandma at our home for the month.


Layla and her mom at Eden Cenote.


Me at Eden.


Jackie and Layla on the trampoline at Xpuha beach.

Layla and other kids on the trampoline at Xpuha.

Layla at the beach in Playa.

Final one is Jackie and her sister Karen in the pool at Sacbe.
Had a great time, can't wait to get back.

[flowerBill]

just added a couple of new ones showing progress on our place since we left, for those that are interested,

Floor supports for the second floor.


The wood floor starting to go in.

Thanks Lynn for the new photos- you should upload some of the newer ones of your place.

[flowerBill]

Originally Posted by Bill B

Hey FlowerBill, it was great having you guys back in the village. It is always a pleasure to see more positive energy and results here in paradise. I will be sure to send you updates on your project - and remind me if I get lazy about it!

Hey Bill if you get a chance take a few photos and post here, I'm dying to see how things look- I hear the big fork for the doorway is in.
Thanks

[ZAEM]

Congrats on your building. Thank you for sharing. I will be watching this to see your progress. It's amazing how they built that all by hand without all the big machinery and all.
Can't wait to continue following your progress! Enjoy.

[Karon]

FlowerBill, your palapa is coming along great. What an adventure! Thanks for sharing the photos.

Karon

[flowerBill]

Here are a few new photos Lynn sent. Stone walls are starting and the big fork that will frame one door is in place. Still a lot of work to go, but we won't be back until December. Lynn (auntieninny) sent the new photos today.


This is the big fork that will frame the 1st floor door,


Here is one of the half walls beginning.


This last one shows the upstairs and the hammock where one of the workers sleeps at night to keep an eye on things.

I'm working on tiles for the shower floor. I have tile making as a hobby. I hope to have it look as though you are standing on the water surface of a cenote with lily pads and water with the little black catfish in it. We plan on an outdoor shower with a stone wall surrounding and sort of a small waterfall you stand under. Water will drain out holes in the stone side walls and water my herbs, tomatoes and peppers.