They have started construction on part of our road (unfortunately, not the part that really needs it). The signs say "Road Works Ahead" or "Hakuna Njia" (no through way). It is really an amazing process, let me explain it through our eyes.
We went to church on Sunday and there was a large, five-foot tall pile of rocks (about the size of basketballs) in the middle of the road. When we got back from church there were three huge piles of rocks in the middle of the road. We weren't sure why at the time. (And I was starting to wonder if they were breeding). The power was out, and we were tired so we decided to go out to eat - a treat for us. When we returned, there were five large piles of rock in the middle of the road. (So far the breeding theory made the most sense - there are rocks everywhere here!).
I wish we had pictures of the piles, they are literally in the middle of the road, so here we are swerving around these huge piles of rock trying to avoid the 2 foot deep ditch - that is conveniently the width of a car tire.
The next day, when I went to school, there are about 10 men sitting in the road with hammers and chisels making the big rocks into piles of small rocks (about the size of baseballs). Then they line the small rocks up on the road. This went on all week. (I actually tried to get a picture of this, but they said I "had to pay them 500 shillings." Tomorrow I will go and negotiate the price and post a new picture.) Anyway, now two separate roads are half-way done, and driving is even more of an adventure because you have to wait until the cars coming are out of the way before you start down the good side of the road. Sometimes you start down the road, and someone comes at you anyway, and you sit there pointing at each other until someone backs into a driveway - the biggest car wins! Thankfully no one directs the traffic, or it would be really confusing. (Just trust us.)
Here is a picture of our half-done road. I h
ave no idea when the other side will be started, or when the road will be completed - we are not holding our breath, but we will keep you posted.While I was stuck waiting for a line of cars this morning, I was talking to the foreman? about how this process works in the States with big machines. He said he had seen them, but if he had them "those 10 men would be out of work." Sadly, it is also cheaper to pay those men (probably about $3/day) than to buy a heavy machine.
3 comments:
i don't think you can say "i'll keep you posted" on a blog or the blog police come and take you away for being redundant. did i tell you i picked up some friends from kenya on my myspace page (which i also believe is redundant - and now they shall come for me too)? check it out, one denise is actually somekind of black lay minister, there is a 20 something white college student named phylis and africanique noir you will just have to figure her out for yourself....i figured they would come in handy if trouble hit...you can see them on www.myspace.com/dougnicodemus. afranique is in my top 25 "friends". the rest you have to hit ALL switch and page through. sounds like you have regained some of your sense of humor...do you guys have facebook or myspace pages? the kneedler family is well represented there. luv dug and cathy
Good Morning.....this is more of a test to see if I got this right. Your Dad & I are pretty clueless on the newest ways to stay in touch, we still use the old e-mail approach.....hope you are all doing well......Dad & Julie
I see that the blog went thru. We wanted to tell you how sorry we are for your loss. Please know that we are thinking of you all.
Dad & Julie
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