Truly random observations and bits of knowledge...

Poppy seeds are an integral part of Hungarian pastries and other foodstuffs. The other EU nations can only purchase poppy seeds in pharmacies and were prepared to enforce a similar limit re Hungary…to say that the Hungarians were unwilling to commit to this new “regule” would be an understatement. The “law” did not pass, and poppy seeds are available in bulk packages (versus the small spice jars we so often see.

Though now a member of the EU, imported foodstuffs from other countries rarely list product contents in Hungarian; presumably this will change as the Hungarian nation continues to establish itself within the union.

A common alternative to shopping bags is baskets of all sizes with handles, particularly at the farmers market.

As in Ireland, it strikes me that regardless of location, Europeans are proud of who they are and how they carry themselves, regardless of shape, size, etc. A generalization, to be sure, and a lesson to own yourself, I think. The body consciousness that so occupies so many may exist here, but clothing choices and how people carry themselves suggest a confidence and acceptance of self not always seen in the states…

Things I miss:
Avocados
Guacamole
Cilantro
Spices
Sea salt
My food processor
Bulk raw nuts (thanks for the care package, George!)
Bulk anything!
Good novels in English
English!

My wee washing machine ceased spinning 2 loads in to its operation; clothes were very wet and very soapy, but no more Given my linguistic challenges in making the concern clear, I asked Gabi to write words to use to communicate this new wrinkle with my landlady, and Ieft my “cheat sheet” on the refrigerator thinking I would contact her the next day…the note disappeared, and in its stead were a note letting me know when it would be repaired, and a lovely bowl of fresh apricots (Gabi must’ve told her I eat raw and vegan…no sweets this time!) Small graces and simple gestures, all gratefully accepted and never taken for granted.

16-20jul07 Plates and uncommon heat...

20jul07
On site finishing round one of exterior plates and laying the first interior plate, set with a demising wall concept with sheathing similar to what we do in Kitsap County. Hot but breezy, yet still a challenge on the open concrete deck; started at 0700 instead of 0800 to get ahead of the heat for a wee while.

An interesting question was posed from Levi re women build projects; he was curious about the politics of the concept, and whether or not it was discriminatory in the sense that only women were involved. I offered that the concept is to encourage and increase women’s’ volunteerism in Habitat by creating an environment where women may feel more comfortable on the work site as they learn to build, some for the first time. More to it than this, but a good question, yes?

19jul07
Today even warmer than yesterday, at home this morning working on GV materials for next week…trialing different and expanded info in the team booklets each worker receives, and helping to set up their itinerary. The director of the national office is also here today doing evaluations and checking in with everyone, myself included. Lunch was with the full staff with much of the conversation in Hungarian….interesting yet again.

18jul07
The hottest day in 100 years here, working 0800-1200 laying plates for framing next week. Just movement alone has us drenched in sweat, with minimal shade on site.

I’ve spent a bit of time with VBS kids “teaching English” (a very loosely defined description!) through shared pictures and words related to Habitat and construction, home and family over three days. No idea whether they liked any of it or not, but it was interesting and a nice change of pace as my first official foray into working in a community setting outside Habitat.

17ul07
On site beginning to lay bottom plates on this the hottest day in the last century here due to winds blowing a climate shift our way from Africa…

Though an “open” week in the sense that we’ve no GV team here, Levi is training Alex, a young man that will begin building with Habitat in his hometown of Hidu this fall. It will be a stretch in listening and learning; all those working this week (beside myself) are Hungarian, so Levi gives me an overview in English, and much of the remainder of the day’s instruction/conversation is Hungarian. I am thankful for the knowledge I cam with and the ability to catch on quickly (and having played charades and Pictionary!). Ever the adventure, and with each new “opportunity” come insights and lessons in patience, communication, and living the present moment. Very cool.

As part of that process we all work together on site in the morning (preparing plates for framing with next week’s GV team) and in the afternoons Levi and Alex work through the paperwork and the “business end” of Habitat Hungary that he will need to know to operate effectively.

About this week’s work:
The concrete floor just completed is actually just the first layer rather than the final surface. As in Kitsap County, WA, we are attaching bottom plates using a J-bolt/washer/nut system, but since this first concrete layer is not exact, the plates are laid relative to snap lines set around the entire foundation, and leveled using shims.

Each bottom plate is set individually, held over the bolts and tapped with a small sledge to mark the exact bolt positions. The plate is flipped over and the bolt holes drilled from these marks, then laid onto the bolts, fastened with washer and nuts, and leveled with shims where needed. Once attached, the tops of the J-bolts extending above the nuts are cut off to prepare for the second bottom plate. This second plate “layer” will be laid out much like the first (sans shims) and works much like our second top plate in the states, interlocking inside and outside walls, and also creates the “form” for the final layer of concrete floor which will be poured in the spring inside each individual unit.

Following this, framing will be done in sections in the same way as we approach it in Kitsap County, but with stabilizing bars of wood across the studs versus exterior sheathing to hold it square; the OSB Is applied later and screwed rather than nailed in place. Top plates and trusses or “rafters” follow, all built on site.

Note: Part of the reason for working this way is due to the quality of wood available. 5cm x 15cm timber (similar to a 2 x 6) is delivered untreated, rough milled and relatively green. It is treated on site in a chemical bath and set out to dry, and in this process much of it warps and is inexact in dimension, particularly in the excessive heat they are experiencing here this year. The ends of all pieces must be squared off before we can use them, and the rough nature of the wood makes splinters a common “hazard”. Milled lumber like we use in the states costs 144 Ft per meter, making the milling cost per board higher than eh cost of the timber itself.


16jul07
Starting quietly with a office day and meeting with Levi and Gabi to my first 4 weeks and where to go from here.

My on-site responsibilities will increase with the advent of the next round of GV teams (YAY!) and there are many areas that I can work with administratively as well…bottom line…they are pleased with what has been done to date, and we continue to enjoy and work well with one another. Levi and I are fairly similar in our approaches to the work site, volunteers and family involvement, and the same is true in working with Gabi re work ethics, vision, and passion for what we seek to do. Very cool.

10-15jul07 Sand, concrete, new sights...

14-15jul07
Lazy days catching up with the business of living…e-mails, groceries, laundry…and a bit of fun…a welcome “time out” between teams for all.

Levi went riding into the northern hills, Gabi captured time on the river with her family, and I did some bicycling…

13jul07
We visited the Slovakian Land House in Szarvas this morning, a holdover from days past, an example of the Slovak lifestyle and a study in economy/efficiency of space and resources. The “kitchen” area is more a small open space with an oven on each end and a high open ceiling with racks for drying/smoking meats. The ovens are actually contained within beehive structures in the adjoining room(s), so as heat was generated for cooking, the home itself was heated as well.

There is a “clean room” where the best of the family’s belongings were kept and guests were housed. A second room, similar in layout was where the family lived and slept day to day. Space was maximized; for example, a baby’s cradle hung from the ceiling when not in use, and over the parents’ bed at night. If the baby fussed, one could simply reach up and gently rock the cradle without getting out of bed…see pix of this and the past two weeks at http://smarie.phanfare.com/.

Lunch, ice cream, and farewells followed, as the Ireland GV team made its way to Budapest en route to home. They leave behind an impact and legacy beyond the norm, unique simply in their sharing as a family, enhanced by the work accomplished on site.



12jul07
Steady rain has fallen through the night, waiting for 0745 to roll around to determine what the day will bring. If the rain stops we may be able to continue, if not, the “game” may be called on this the last working day for the Ireland GV team, as most of what we seek to accomplish requires electricity and drier ground. Disappointing, as we’ve hit a groove and rhythm working the concrete and feel we could layout one and perhaps two more of the three remaining unit floors with good weather…

Eureka!!! Prayers for a clear day prevailed, and armed with determination, mud-caked shoes, and smiles all but one floor section were completed by day’s end. (not enough materials, or we would’ve finished that one as well…cool!)

The team left the site spotless, and rounded out the day with a riverside dinner with the families who will receive these homes. Beautiful evening, cool, and clear.

11jul07
Back on site with a cool and breezy day switching to warm and sunny by midday. Fencing to separate the current project from the one just dedicated was completed (all three Szarvas projects are on the same land space), trenches for water covered, soil leveled and dispersed, and sand packing/leveling/tamping continued as the concrete floor progressed.

Today I felt my intended role as site supervisor to Levi’s construction manager on site begin to come to life, left in the afternoon to teach and direct the concrete pouring and leveling process. The team split into the concrete mixing/delivering group and those learning and doing the concrete finishing work: lay-up/screed/leveling/floating. All hard and intense work and 100% satisfying for all. For the first time I feel what I have to offer here being implemented; I pray that it will continue to hold in this way, knowing that it takes time for those here to be certain that I bring not only knowledge of the building process but the ability to learn their specifics, do them, and teach them; this is the best of Habitat life and that which continually draw/calls me to it. It is this process that builds not just homes but community, in this setting on a truly global scale as those who live here interact with and share themselves with foreign GV teams who come to do the same here and in nearly 100 countries around the world.

We toured the Old Lutheran Church this evening, learning more about the church under and beyond communist rule, as well as the many outreach programs this church offers to the community today, among them an elder care home, school, and rehab/class program for recovering addicts, alcoholics and the like. The latter program has a 60-65% success rate in returning folks to the work force (as compared to the projected 35% hoped for at the programs inception).

Following the tour Pastor Zsolt Lazar and one of his associate pastors hosted us for pizza and Hungarian wine in the church’s wine cellar. Though not with us this evening, Gabi made the experience still more special with a gift of plum liquor made by her father, vegan salad ordered especially for me, and linens and table settings laid out for our arrival. Her expansive nature and attention to detail in work and towards the team continues to capture all; she is an amazing woman.

The team came to my apartment for ice cream to cap the night (fitting repast in what was once an ice cream parlor, yes? ). For me, from beginning to end the best day yet since arriving.

10jul07
Should be an easier day if the breeze keeps coming; yesterday was hot, still, and presented real challenges in working the concrete before it set up.

Such a breeze that thunder, lightning and rain came in and concrete and other work was suspended : (as we broke for an early lunch in hopes of continuing. Though all would’ve stayed through the afternoon’s showers and rain (sans the thunder and lightning), it became a “guy’s afternoon out”, working and digging, and joining Levi for a pint afterwards. The full group came together for another traditional Hungarian repast at Regimodi’s, this time hosted by Gabi. Great food, great conversation, and enlightenment as the connection with Lissy and her Habitat work as Ireland ‘s GV coordinator became clear to Gabi; amazing how much simpler things become and how perception(s) shift as we step into another’s shoes, even for a moment. For her to interact directly with a sending coordinator was a gift and an opportunity to converse one on one and see the process from the other side…very cool.

We are pouring the first layer of concrete floor, or rather, laying it in wheelbarrow by wheelbarrow. I'm not sure how many square meters of floor there are, but can tell you it is a lengthy, hot, and intense project, requiring far more care than the initial foundation walls, as we are now really pushing to make certain everything is level and square. Levi is fairly tense in this stage, as it determines the ease with which the remainder of the house will go up. He prefers to do the more exacting work himself, though I convinced him to teach and let me try yesterday, and will see if we can get more of the team involved today.

2jul-9jul07 A new team, more history, castles and more...

9jul07
This week’s goal is to complete the first layer of concrete for the floor of our 5-unit row house project. Wooden forms were squared, leveled and mounted to the foundation and sand tamped level with each unit’s foundation walls to start the process.

We are pouring, or rather, laying in the concrete wheelbarrow by wheelbarrow. I'm not sure how many square meters of floor there are, but can tell you it is a lengthy, hot, and intense project, requiring still more care and concentration than the initial foundation walls, as we are now really pushing to make certain everything is level and square. Levi is fairly intense in this stage, as it determines the ease with which the remainder of the house will go up. He prefers to do the more exacting work himself, though I asked him to teach me yesterday, and will see if we can get more of the team involved tomorrow.

Wire “net” is laid on the sand, concrete is dumped on top and the net pulled up into it for stronger support of the concrete as it dries. Lines of level concrete are laid along the center and on each side of a given unit using 2-meter long levels and trowels, creating points from which to screed the remainder. All is smoothed with 24” long floats as we go, shooting for a semi-seamless finished look from one section of concrete to the next.

All in all a high energy “aggressive” process, especially on this the hottest day we’ve yet had since I arrived, and concrete setting in 5-10 minutes instead of 20-30.

I appreciate both the need for it to be exact, and the benefits of expanding the field of folks able to do this work whether here or in a future setting. It is one of the things I love about Habitat “community building”.


8jul07
The Szarvas arboretum/river boat trip/dinner at the Corner Pub, ice cream at a little pub on the waterfront to end a perfect summer day…

More details to come, in the interim, pix on the phanfare site : )

7jul
Sightseeing in Gyula, a city of 38,000 a mere 4 km from Romania, the Carpathian Mountains just visible in the distance across the border.

Castle, spa, town center fountains installed just this year, modern, lovely, and surrounded by building both modern and historical in turn.

20meter high tower, the highest in the country? They used to travel by water in Gyula…

More details to come, in the interim, pix on the phanfare site : )

6jul07
Back on site with a particularly windy day today, creating a “sandpaper” effect as we move and tamp sand. Andras and I attempted to set forms for pouring the floor and ultimately gave up midway through the day, the wind so forceful that our set lines strung for squaring blew as much as an inch off center no matter how tightly they were strung. Got to love the process!

A history lesson from Levi at the morning break, emphasizing the endurance of the Hungarian people in light of the many invasions in the country over time, and exemplifying one man’s passion for his country and his vision of peace. Very cool.

So much of what happens at this stage of building is seemingly boring and repetitive, yet this “back-breaking” work is vital to the future stability of the house; if the foundation is built solidly and square, the rest of the process flows far more easily. The work of many hands lightens the load, and in truth, this is the most important step. So often what we see in HFH pictures and film is the initial framing. It is fun, fast, and gives the most succinct sense of accomplishment day to day, but comprises so small a part of the whole of the house that I suspect we sometimes lose sight of the other 90% of the process!

And a another “gift” this afternoon; Levi mounted a bike basket on my wheeled transportation, which will make grocery shopping much easier (and test my inherent sense of balance as I ride with a “front load” )


5jul07
“Game called on account of rain”, creating an unanticipated free day mid week for the team, exploring and enjoying a welcome time out from shoveling and digging through hardpan at the site. My time was spent in the office working with Gabi, a nice change of pace and opportunity to see a bit more of the admin side of things here.

4jul07
An extension of yesterday, with a primer on the Hungarian alphabet and how to pronounce things at break time.

3jul07
On site this morning with the Ireland GV team; their two week stay will provide ample opportunities to become one with shovels as we prep the foundation with a hard-pack sand base within each unit before pouring the floor, mount electric poles to provide light and power, dig trenches and holes for water and sewer access, move the water source to the current project, and more.

They approached their “assignments” with gusto, supplemented with ample sunscreen, water breaks, and the camaraderie that is part and parcel of Habitat regardless of the tasks at hand.

For me, progress at home as well; Bondi, one of the family members is a plumber who came home with me this afternoon to connect the washer after an adventure in hardware shopping Szarvas-style to procure the necessary parts. He speaks French, Hungarian, and a sprinkling of English, and yet again, we could understand enough to communicate most things. And viola! At day’s end I have an old but serviceable and operational washer…it wiggles, walks, shakes, silts rust, and WORKS!!! It is, indeed, the little things…

2jul07
Worked the morning in the office today preparing for the Ireland GV team that arrived mind afternoon. Another tour of the town revealed still more information about this quiet and lovely berg that is Szarvas. A WWI memorial commemorates the 1000 villagers who died in that war, an immense sacrifice for a town its size now or then.

Coming soon…a walking tour of Szarvas especially for you

Quirks, surprises, history, and thoughts from the heart...

Quirks,

Many of the streets front homes with large and metal privacy gates, often revealing green and enticing private gardens when open. Very cool.

Movie title Hungarian style: Charlotte’s Web translates to “Pig in Trouble”…endearing and fun, yes?


…surprises,
Fuel costs are the third highest in the world here, one reason why so many cycle instead. Purchasing a vehicle is expensive in and of itself; maintenance, fueling and insuring one can become a financial hardship.

Everyday simple gestures of generosity and understanding….laundry done by Gabi to bridge the gap between “well worn” and clean, an offer from Levi and his wife to do the same (which I took them up on ), then home to find a “20 plus 9” year old washer in the bathroom of my apartment ready for hook up and trial this weekend, trash removed, a new bag in the receptacle and a spare bag waiting in the wings should I need one. Realizing my landlady can understand simple English when I speak slowly…the inspiration to push to learn the language that I might offer her the same courtesy in return in the coming weeks and months.

All washer instructions in Hungarian, of course, and this small but intrepid device has very unfamiliar pieces and parts. Yet another adventure, and definitely a welcome step up from hand washing in the bidet



…a wee bit of history,
Hungary held its first elections in 1989, and among their freedoms is the opportunity to learn in one’s native language, e.g., there is a Slovakian school in the town center where classes are taught in that language.

Once free of communist rule, the Hungarian people removed the center circle with the hammer and sickle from their flags; in Szarvas, they fly the flag with the circle cut out as a statement of freedom.

Levi says for the Hungarian, their primary dream is to own their own home….how amazing that the building of that dream is what has brought me to this place I might not otherwise have known.

Everyone’s dreaming is different, unique. To have a small part in helping another attain their vision as I live mine is something only God could truly orchestrate in the circumstances given here.


To define this as gratitude is to attempt to confine love to a single definition.

I/we have so much in the relative context of those who ask so little…a place to shelter and nurture family, food on the table, a means of seeing the world around us whether close at hand in the shelter of a small Hungarian community or in the wider context of the world.

…some thoughts from the heart…

A quote came through e-mail recently…” Don't worry about what the world wants from you, worry about what makes you come more alive. Because what the world really needs are people who are more alive..” Laurence Le Shan


I would word it from the perspective I have held for the past three years outside the box…”Live that which makes you come alive, because what the world really needs are people who are more alive”….in another context, a second e-mail and website (www.mayyoubeblessedmovie.com) that expands the thought:

"It has been said that it is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. Every time you remind yourself that you are, indeed, blessed---even in those times when you do not see or feel the blessings---you are figuratively lighting a candle in your world. By being reminded that you are blessed and that you are a belssing to others, you succeed in raising your own energy/vibration. You feel lighter, freer and happier. And the better you feel, the better those around you feel. In essence, by raising your own "vibration", you raie it for others, blessing those around you and inproving world conditions far more than you realize....the energy you emit reacts with and changes the behavior of everyone and every thing around you. The more blessed you consider yourself to be, the better those around you feel. essentially, you, in turn, are able to bless the world by being blessed."

...observations re HFH Szarvas....

My role here becomes more defined as Gabi, Levi and I move beyond the “get to know you and the work” phase and into the business truly being an asset here beyond the appointment originally accepted. On the construction side I have officially became a Hungarian Habitat site supervisor, Levi’s right hand, so to speak, coaching/learning GV teams and expanding as we go, assisting Levi in accomplishing each day’s goals or “wishes”, as he calls them. A goal as we go is to coax him into taking at least one day off each week….with two years invested in Habitat thus far, this colorful and incredibly dedicated man sees the importance of building houses for those in his country, and despite the long days and challenges he alternately jokes about and riles at, I believe he feels this to be his vision and his calling.

The same goal holds true in the office. Thus far Gabi is making lists and assigning small tasks that I complete easily and gladly to begin to catch the administrative vibe in the office relative to what she does. Equally dedicated, Gabi gives tirelessly to smooth the way for visiting teams, ensure they are welcomed and well cared for, and at the same time fills all the HFH spaces off site (budgeting, permitting, paperwork, PR and so much more) to complete the team that is HFH Szarvas. I look forward to building systems with her as well, to assist in achieving a solid balance for the affiliate.

The Szarvas and Csurgo “affiliates” are the only two remaining in Hungary as traditionally defined by HFH. Future projects will likely be liaisons with local government, part of a growing wave of creative solutions to continue to support the HFH ethos and widen the organization’s impact in fulfilling THEIR vision to eliminate poverty housing worldwide. Today’s economy, particularly in the European union, is such that creative alternatives may ultimately become the only way to realize these goals….more on that as I go….

Progress and perusing the landscape...

Extras...

Sites and sounds…

Bikers of all ages, shapes, and sizes….elderly with canes, wee ones with training wheels, in business clothes, long skirts and slides, touring garb…I find myself alternating between awe and laughter as I make my way. If my fledging Hungarian didn’t give me away, my riding skills to date surely would be evidence that I’m not from around these parts!

Church bells chiming…truly beautiful….

Horse drawn carriage(s), even on the main roads

Doves cooing a wake up ballad each morning along with a varied birdsong accompaniment, including roosters crowing in the early hour(s) of the day.

Langauge...
Beginning ever so slowly to learn a bit of the language, though it's definitely a challenge. Even a seemingly simple hello requires thought, as the greeting varies depending on time of day, age and gender of the person you're speaking to....they are a very traditional and in some ways a very formal people...think of the days that we used to address our elders as Mr. or Mrs. for a sense of how this goes. Very nice, actually, but daunting when you're goal is to appropriately apply the greeting system!

Progress...
Working 7-8 hours on site each day, and another 2-3 with the Global Village teams in the evening thus far, until we begin to get to know one another as staff persons and establish a more "user-friendly" system. All good and fun for the moment, since as the teams come and experience things, I have the opportunity to begin to learn the “routine” and ever more about Szarvas as I accompany them. Much learned thus far and the beginnings of many ideas to weave into the fabric of Habitat Hungary and my own affiliate in Kitsap County as my position solidifies and we grow forward together....magic

1jul07
The day dawned sunny and cool (meaning less than 90 degrees!). Went for a leisurely bike ride following a farewell lunch with this week’s GV team, taking in everything for signage to fields of sunflowers waving bright yellow over flatlands between Szarvas and the neighboring town of Bekesszentandras. Bike paths abound, and the level terrain in this part of the country is a welcome start point as I continue to find my pedaling skills.

Lots of photos to share, so take a peek at http://smarie.phanfare.com/ regularly for the “picture = 1000 words” portion of the program (okay, there are a few words thrown in there as well!)

Signage is at once different and at times universal in its intent, and I continued to be surprised by the places English shows up in the sea of Hungarian. Enjoyed an exchange with a fellow biker…in the friendly but fast and furious stream of Hungarian he shared with me, in the end he gave up and simply pointed to my watch…he was really just looking for the current time. Fun!

Back home for a wee bit before sharing cyber-wise via blog and pix, then back outside to enjoy this very beautiful summer Szarvas day.

The Ireland contingent is expected early tomorrow afternoon; it will be great fun to get acquainted with new folks and catch up with dear friends from last year’s sojourn to Dublin….very much looking forward to seeing everyone!

30jun07
Out to the site for an hour or so in the morning, then off to procure a softer bicycle seat, new grips, and a basket…the bell and lights were already a part of the package of my now trusty wheeled steed Latent theatrical skills and an unplanned game of “Charades” were an active part of the purchasing process until Levi arrived to assist in getting the right items.

Enjoyed having the day to myself to wander a bit, and catch up in countless ways, including just the basics of living here or “domestics”, as a friend in Colorado refers to it. Very nice.

29jun07
On site cleaning, setting up tables and tent for this year’s home dedication (an annual event thus far, held at the end of June to ensure the homes are counted towards building goals for the ending fiscal year). This is the second dedication in Szarvas, with four recipient families.

The event drew in excess of 100 people with families, friends, visiting VIPs, pastors and a local choir. The ceremony opened with the Hungarian national anthem and additional music, thank yous to sponsors and the visiting GV team as representative of the 300+ volunteers coming from abroad last year to make the build possible, and blessings by three local pastors working collaboratively. Representatives from the HFH National office and the European HFH office were there as well, and all was filmed for local television.

Levi presented keys to the families (a touching and emotional moment), and last year’s home recipients presented plants to the new home owners. A bottle of wine was gifted to each family by the HFH Csurgo affiliate, and ultimately the homes were opened for “viewing”. The afternoon ended with conversation and a shared meal of traditional Hungarian fare: bean and beef stew, pasta with ham and cottage cheese topped with sour cream, and a variety of desserts.

Later in the evening a round of cosmic bowling with the current GV team. Szarvas’ bowling alley is just two lanes, classy interior with a bar and seating for dinners on the side, even outdoor seating. Shoes are pink and yellow, balls are fluorescent and all are kept on the ball return at the lanes themselves. Pin reset is by strings, scoring automatic with cartoon kudos/commentary displayed on the electronic scoreboard above the lanes re gutters, spare, strikes, etc. thrown. Crowded feel with 15-16 on two lanes, but fun

28jun07
Another day on site building forms and working concrete. This means of building the support walls of the foundation is a new process here. They have used cinder clock in the past, but it is quite expensive, so the foundation we are working on now is a new venue using concrete only. Labor intensive, but saves approximately $1500 US, which is significant. Forms are laid ….

Pouring concrete from wheelbarrows to forms again today (4th day running), another 90 + degree day and humid. Developing a builders tan....arms are golden, shapely pins pale by comparison with each passing day I wear jeans and boots on site....hot, but for me, a safer bet than shorts and running shoes....personal preference, protects against splinters, etc. and fends off the preponderence of frogs and grasshoppers inhabiting the site!

Hugarian folk dancing Thursday night with the team at the corner pub. The dancers are students who dance as a hobby, performing in various locations. The dances are lively and some are quite intricate…we were invited to learn…great fun!