tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971915261778832449.post-2501599024589693802008-05-15T13:54:00.000-07:002008-06-14T17:57:07.426-07:002008-06-14T17:57:07.426-07:00We didn't know what to expect before we arrived at the finca. <br /><br /><a href="http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii226/janacollin/?action=view&amp;current=costa_rica_may083.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii226/janacollin/costa_rica_may083.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Yet when we arrived we were surprised to find that the 40 foot semi truck trailer which we thought had been converted into a nice and comfy home, was no where near in living condition. Did I mention that the truck had been severly burnt in a fire in the past.<br /><br /><a href="http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii226/janacollin/?action=view&amp;current=costa_rica_may087.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii226/janacollin/costa_rica_may087.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The next 4 days would consist of 12-16 hour days of building a new home. We started with the deck, then we framed the walls inside, then we cut the door to the deck, than a window. We prepped all the electricity, we applied the drywall. Slowly but surely the trailer was beginning to look liveable.<br /><br />We quickly ran out of time as Bernardo and Lorianna had buses and planes to catch back to the states. I was faced with the challenge of finishing the work we started and of course hadn't started.<br /><br /><a href="http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii226/janacollin/?action=view&amp;current=costa_rica_may086.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii226/janacollin/costa_rica_may086.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My first project was finishing the walls inside, then the plumbing, indoor and out, then the rain gutters, then the erosion control to make sure the trailer didn't wash away into the jungle.<br /><br /><br />Needless to say these were all projects that I have never done before and I surprised myself after I had carried each one out.<br /><br /><a href="http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii226/janacollin/?action=view&amp;current=dj_costa_rica028.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii226/janacollin/dj_costa_rica028.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Every day is a busy day when you don't have a toilet and you wash yourself and your dishes with a hose that sticks out of a 30 gallon tank that is on a tower that stands taller than the house. Fortunately we have neighbors that are kind and allow us to fill our tank with the water from their spicket.<br /><br />The life we are living now is much different than the life I have lived for the last 28 years. I thank god everday for the things I have taken for granted my entire life. Thank you mom and dad as well.<br /><br />What a lesson in life this trip has become.<br /><a href="http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii226/janacollin/?action=view&amp;current=dj_costa_rica475.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii226/janacollin/dj_costa_rica475.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />ChowBradhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06711236799279494754bradcollin13@gmail.com4