Okay, I’ll admit it. The idea of building a house ~any house,
any where - intimidated the heck out of me. It’s hard enough in the States when you speak the same language, and I’ve heard many a horror story about never-ending problems and marriages on the brink. So, would we survive this one as we ventured to build high up in the Ecuadorian Andes? So far, I’m happy to say, so good.
Jeff and I definitely attribute much of our success to the amazing help we’ve gotten from FRIENDS near and far. For starters, we'd had the chance to witness daring amigos brave enough to do it in a foreign country - in a foreign language - when we lived in Costa Rica. No doubt about it, there are definitely differences in the way “WE” do things, and the ways “THEY” do. From architectural design to construction techniques; labor laws and tools used (or lack thereof); you end up treading some pretty distinct waters. Here are a few lessons we’ve learned so far...
COMMUNICATION IS KEY
I speak spanish, but the first thing Jeff and I completely agreed upon was the need to hire a
bilingual architect/contractor (they’re one in the same here). Why? Because first of all, my construction vocabulary is nil in both languages ~ let alone my understanding of building concepts. I would have been useless. I also didn’t want to be the go-between and end up running a crew. The last thing a guy wants to hear is how to do something differently, and coming from a woman, no less. I’m no fool. Fortunately we found an Ecuadorian architect who’d been trained in New Jersey, so he understands both countries’ perspectives on building. It’s worked out great, and who knows? It may have saved a marriage.
JACKS OF ALL TRADES
In my biased (and adoring) mind, Jeff can pretty much do it all. He designed the house, taught himself to draw up the plans on computer, and now goes off “to work” every day as excited as ever. He’s building the fireplaces and indoor pizza oven while the crew builds the walls up around him and couldn’t be happier. Best of all, though, we’ve got incredibly talented friends who have guided him through what he doesn’t know - from masonry to plumbing to electricity. His buddies may not be here, but they’ve certainly been right there for Jeff on Skype and Facetime, readily sharing their expertise. 
Our master timber-framer friend Bob actually has come all the way down to work. He's been up there building one-of-a-kind rafters and trusses, all the while acclimating to the 10,800 ft. elevation. No doubt, the Ecuadorian crew have been intrigued, and often befuddled, at Bob’s precision and craft. Still, they’ve shown great interest in the unique way in which he brings it all together. Very cool.
THE RIGHT TOOLS
Jeff’s mantra: No matter what you’re doing, you’ve gotta have the right tools. Of course, he didn’t have any when we first arrived, and little by little has had to set himself up. The boys on the job, however, somehow manage to get things accomplished with very few to work with. It might not turn out as quickly or precisely, but the end result is always pretty great. They’ve borrowed Jeff’s tools when wanting to expedite things, but otherwise, they’re incredibly clever at just making it work.
WHERE WOULD WE BE WITHOUT OUR FRIENDS?
Once again, we’re incredibly grateful to have great friends. Yet another couple, Karl and Brenda, were coming down to Cuenca to live. And what did they ever so graciously bring for us in their container? Oh, just ‘little” things like a dishwasher, kitchen and bath plumbing fixtures ~ along with a wood stove and radiant heat flooring supplies. Jeff is determined to keep me warm up there, so we’ve now got everything we need to take the chill off; and we’ll have special touches we might not otherwise have had. Now that’s a blessing.
No, I’ve got that wrong. The blessing isn’t only in the finer trappings, but in the fact that we’ve got such special friends who have each had a hand in the building of our home. We can't wait to be toasting them, the talented crew, and the architect/contractor
in December when we expect to
move in. And with any luck, they’ll all be there together with us at our very first pizza and chancho (roast pig) party! As they say here, ¡Ojalá que sí! (Sure do hope so!)
