Dan Coleman

A key part of every Global Village build is when we take time to say goodby to the people we have worked with over the past days. In our case it took place last night. Earlier in the day, as I mentioned in my last blog, we had participated in the inauguration of 15 new homes. Now we would return to our hotel afterwards, and once again, go this other event.

We arrived about 9 PM at the community center in Recreo where we were met by many of same people we had been with earlier in the day. (The above is somewhat rambling, since I have just returned from work and am a little frazzled). A large asado (Argentina barbeque) was set for what much have been 70 to 80 people. Habitat had prepared a certificate for each one of us, and the master of ceremonies, Mariano Moreno, also the head of Santa Fe Habitat, first called on a different family member or some else involved in our build to present to each of us a certificate and a Habitat leather bookmark. Later a local band played some music. Another emotional experience. We were home by midnight.

Today, at the worksite, began as it usually does, with a few of us working on finishing the Ramirez home and the remainder on building the new house as well as clearing the ground for even another house. However, as Frank later noted, we started to flag. Maybe because of the previous evening, maybe because it was the last day, maybe because we were kind of finishing up come tasks, anyway it was time to wrap it all up. We had our usual box lunch at noon, and then left early for the hotel, after, of course, saying goodby once again to a few people who had become our good friends in the past 10 days or so. Tonight we will dine for the last time in Santa Fe. On to Buenos Aires tomorrow.