Our little town of San Clemente is still a sleepy little fisherman’s village that does its’ business much the same way it has done for the last hundred years or so. But, more and more tourist from inland cities and around the world are learning about San Clemente, Ecuador and each weekend and major holiday brings scores of visitors primarily interested in spending time on the playa.
However getting to the water for those who ride the bus or park near the main downtown road has been a bit tricky with the old access ramp as it required hop stepping from one rock to another to a steep concrete ramp and negotiating more rocks to get to the sand.
I am still not sure how the politics of this town works as far as public works are concerned, but whoever is in charge apparently determined to fix that situation. About three weeks ago I was riding downtown and saw that a part of a concrete wall had been poured in the deep gap between the road and the old ramp, so I rode on up to see what was going on.
With the exception of the newly poured concrete wall and the piles of sand and gravel, this is what the old beach access looked like:
You can see the rocky drop from the sidewalk area to the concrete and rock strewn hole before the actual ramp which certainly would discourage transit for most of us clad in flip-flop shoes carrying beach bags.
The workmen had to cut holes into the old ramp to make the hand rails and move some rocks to make way for the concrete forms. They did so in typical Ecuadorian fashion with hand tools and brawn.
I have been going downtown with my camera at least every other day throughout the construction of this new access stairway and it is getting close to being completed, but today I wanted to give you some idea of how these Ecuatoriano workmen do their work.
Almost everything is done by hand with simple tools.
There was quite a bit of concrete needed for this project, so I thought I would show you the concrete mixer and mechanism for bringing the mixed concrete to the forms and workers.
First here is the concrete mixing area.
And here is the concrete mixer.
The mixed concrete is placed in a bucket and moved across the old rocky passage first by one, “crane”
Where it is transferred to another, “crane”
And either poured into the forms or into a hod box to be used by other workmen in finishing.
The amazing thing is that the system works out well and even fairly large projects proceed along rather quickly. And, “Cristo Vive!” in the hearts and smiles of my Ecuatoriano friends!
You can see some glimpses of the project developing in these photographs, but I will wait for a few more days to show you the new stairway access when it is done and ready for use. Until then…
Life is good in Ecuador!
I am simply amazed at the ingenuity of the workers in Latin America. Your pictures demonstrate this well. 🙂
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Yes, it never ceases to amaze and fascinate me. I love the can do attitude and happy spirit!
On Sat, May 4, 2013 at 8:41 AM, Living It Up in Ecuador
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Amazing as to the same project in the States, they would be expected to be completed before noon. It only displays the difference in cultures. Although they have lived without a walkway down to the beach all these years, their effort to improve their village for sake of newcombers is a very welcoming sign….We can’t wait to use those stairs ourselves come this Fall….Vance and Cindy.
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It is a whole different world down here and we love the difference!
On Sat, May 4, 2013 at 10:09 AM, Living It Up in Ecuador
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Thanks! Your pictures and observations are always of great value. To we, who share this Village with you, it means a lot to be kept apprised of what’s
happening around us if we find it difficult to ambulate. You’re a great Town
Crier with a wealth of information. Thank you. Love, J,
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Thank you – I will keep trying to see what is going on and will report.
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Hi John,
Vance here, of Cindy and Vance. As rule followers, we clambered down those steps(?) when we were there. It’s great to see the improvement. We can’t wait to see you again and meet Mary. Thanks for all the great info and pics!
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Vance – it should be a bit easier to get down to the beach when you guys come again.
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These people are hard workers and are happy about it. They do things the old fashioned way! Good for the soul.
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And – it works just as well at a fraction of the cost!
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‘town crier’ – how great! yes, the two of you do a great job of sharing what’s happening in your community; the locals are surely honored that you care about them! z
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Perhaps, but we are more honored to have them care about us.
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This is amazing. I’ve lost my voice to a cold this chilly morning, but I can still giggle – which I did when I read ” and here is the concrete mixer”. Funny! Interesting. I’m waiting for the next installment.
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I spent many an hour mixing cement in a wheel barrow for fence posts – it is not easy work, but it is fun if you have the right attitude!
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De nuevo, muchas gracias por las noticias de San Clemente, pero sobre todo por haber aprendido a amar y respetar nuestro modo de hacer las cosas. Un abrazo para ustedes dos.
Con afecto,
Esthela
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It is our pleasure to report on our new home town! Muchas gracias para las palabras amable!
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Yep, that’s pretty much how it happens here too, even on fairly large projects. It seems like any open, unused space is fair game for a mixing area.
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It works, so why not?
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Your posts and photos (especially of people smiling) make me always smile 🙂
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Thank you so much! We love sharing what we experience here and I am so glad that you are enjoying the posts.
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