![\"\"](\"http:\/\/abisoman.com\/broadcaster\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/IMG_3020-Copy.jpg\" "\\"IMG_3020")
<\/a>Clarissa and Himesh spend some quality time with the dirt<\/p><\/div>\n
Attention Mother Nature: When I requested no rain for the rest of our stay in Sri Lanka, I wasn\u2019t saying I wanted clear skies and a sun so hot it feels like I\u2019m about to toss the ring into the burning fires of Mordor. I mean, if I wanted that I could have arranged a house build in Oman in August.<\/p>\n
The normally unflappable Himesh was grumpy. We were pounding a pile of red dirt with shovels and hoes and our shirts were already soaked through. It was 9:10 and we\u2019d been working for approximately\u2026seventeen minutes. Last night Himesh shared with the group that one of this prime goals in coming on the trip was to work as hard as possible, to feel \u201ccomplete exhaustion.\u201d Well, by 9:11 he\u2019d just about achieved it.<\/p>\n
But in the (shaded) backyard, where all this dirt was destined to fill in the foundation, a new kitchen was rapidly taking shape. The mason was assembling the walls of what will one day soon virtually double the living capacity of the house. \u00a0This is a really lovely family and our favorite member is undoubtedly little Chatoreka, a precocious girl of about five who doesn\u2019t simply hang around the work site, but she jumps right into the work. She even bosses around the other children, chastising them for not helping shovel the dirt.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, over at the main site, Heinrich & the Demolition Boys were busy at work. Shirtless, sweaty, and carrying various tools and bags of dirt, they looked as though they were auditioning for the cover of the 2013 Habitat Hunks wall calendar. This is the same house where the crew took down a wall a few days ago and already the change is impressive. Two new rooms have been added and the inner walls have been raised to provide for a second story. The team is pretty pumped about their work, as well they should be.<\/p>\n
There are so many brilliant moments throughout our day that I can\u2019t capture here: the van rides to and from the work site; the dozens of hilarious comments that make the sweaty labor so much fun; Mr. Provencher\u2019s singing; the families\u2019 appreciation for our work; nightly ginger beers; sprints in the ocean after a long day; pride in ourselves and in each other.<\/p>\n