I laid block Saturday and was becoming very frustrated when I had to lay one block four times and YET couldn't get it plumb and level. I took a break and sent one of my two "chalanes" (helpers) to fetch us some beer. A glass of beer made all the difference. It took the edge off and the blocks began to lay plumb and level. We worked all day... laying a few block, then sitting in the shade long enough for another glass of ice cold beer.
Mis chalanes, Paco's dad and a neighbor, Gilberto, mix and fetch mortar for me and lend moral support... and entertainment. They called the beer "gasolina para el albanil" (al-ban-yeel which is Spanish for mason).
At 7PM when I got back to the marina I was pretty "bien pedo" (it means drunk... but literally translated is "good fart", which I think is hilarious) While getting into the dinghy I didn't shift my weight in time and the damn thing slipped out from under me like a banana peel.
Faster than you can see hoot damn widdle hoot damn (my grandson Will's early attempt at cussing) I was up to my neck in seawater... but not for long. As fast as a waterlogged cat (ever throw one in the water?) I was back in my dink, but not fast enough to save my cell phone. I didn't like that piece of crap phone anyway.. now I've got an excuse to buy another one. I laughed all the way as I rowed out to Liberty. It's like that when you're soaking wet and bien pedo.
No comments:
Post a Comment