WATER SYSTEM IN CIEGO DE AVILA
After a good breakfast we checked out of the hotel at 9AM. The elevator wasn't working so it took a few trips getting the bags downstairs. Even some locals helped carry our bags. GRACIAS! While we waited for everyone to arrive John and Rick took a ride around the parking lot on a bicy-taxi (bicycle taxi). We loaded the van and headed to the church in Ciego de Avila for our next installation. It was about a 15 minute ride to the church. Hilmer, the plumber from yesterday, and Rev Yohanes were waiting for us at the church. With some experience under our belts we jumped right into high gear. The supplies were laid out in a classroom, the ladder was setup, the tools were out and work started quickly. It took a few extra modifications to cut into the water supply line and run a new line down from the water tank. As that work went on, the other team was in the church office installing the system. John and Bailey glued up the pipe, everyone took turns with the drill, Jerry drilled a hole for the supply line and his face was covered with dust from the bricks. Two inspectors from the local government showed up and after inspecting our work and hearing about what we were doing they gave us high marks - A plus. Rev Yohanes gave Rick a high-five. Another team tested the water and explained how to use the test kit. We left baseball gloves, cleats and balls donated by Jerry's softball team. We delivered supplies for the kitchen. We handed out the potable water brochure and mingled with the people who cam e to see our work. The system was bolted to the wall pretty quickly and the water line came in from the roof. Everything connected as planned and when we opened the water line there were no leaks the very first try! Everyone worked non-stop until we were finished.
When the system was ready we all stepped outside and had a drink from the new potable water system. We raised a glass, high-fived and celebrated the completion of our work! Then we loaded the van, exchanged hugs and said goodbye to our new friends. It was time for the long 6 hour drive to Havana.
We headed out of town and the road switched from 2 to 4 lanes. There was a bit of construction along the way and instead of orange traffic cones the workers placed tree branches in the street to warn the oncoming traffic. Another example of how people get buy and use whatever they have to get the job done. The raod was pretty open and smooth but it soon got dark and started to rain. There were no street lights and going at about 60mph was just a little bit scary. We were told the biggest danger was horses and cows walking in the road which we saw none. We arrived in the capitol around 8PM as we emerged from the tunnel that runs under Havana harbor. Our hotel was a newly renovated family apartment house converted into a private hotel/hostal. The hotel was run by 3 famalies who were very friendly and helpful. The rooms were newly renovated, the furniture was comfortable and best of all the hotel was right in the middle of old Havana. We were just a few blocks from the major attractions in old Havana.
We checked in, dropped off our bags and we were soon greeted by Raul, a local Cuban friend of Rick and Cordella. We walked to a restaurant where we all enjoyed fresh and very affordable seafood and cold drinks. Having completed all 3 water systems we had a celebration dinner. As it got late we walked back to our hotel and confirmed that Carlos our new driver would be at the hotel 9AM to take us to the Episcopal Cathedral for a project meeting with the Bishop. We called it a night.