This month the roof went on the little building project we have going on over there on the new lot. We rented the framing wood and my husband and son set it up. Then rebar needed to be wired together for the framework. After about a week of prep work, we were ready to go.
My husband contacted a colladora (roof pourer) that a friend of his recommended. As the head guy, he was in charge of rounding up a crew of colladoras to haul the buckets of cement from the ground to the roof up the ramp. The mixer came free of charge (with delivery and pickup) from the place that we bought the cement from.
Monday morning bright and early, I thought I’d take Cocoa for a quick walk before the crew arrived since he wigs out when strangers are around. Since I was planning on jumping in the shower when I got back, I just put on my crayon box colored sweater and my slip on shoes over my nightgown. Oh, and my sun hat because even at 7 am there’s a chance I’ll get burnt.
Well, the whole crew had arrived by the time the bag lady (me) ambled back to the house. Mortification didn’t do my emotions justice. I let myself into the house and had my son be my representative for the rest of the process.
There must have been about 15 guys, way more than our usual roofing crew number. Since the area that was being roofed wasn’t all that large, they were done in about 2 hours. Carnitas and beer was provided and they left with cash in their pockets. With these guys, it was the number of bags of cement mixed that determined the amount they earned rather than wages for the day.
Now the roof must set for 22 days before the wood can be removed. Meanwhile, there’s plenty of gardening to be done!
Surviving Mexico 