Dec 18

Day 3 - Actually Tuesday

Today, we started our usual routine of waking up at about 6:30AM, getting dressed, and then having breakfast. By 7:45AM, we were out the door and on our way to the school. When we got to the school, we mapped out the projects we would be working on for the day. Project 1 was creating an aluminum forge, which was worked on by Giselle, Jenny, Christian, and Abdullah. Project 2 was creating a more efficient trash compactor, which would create the "ubuntu bloxs" used for building. This was worked on by Dr. Basha and Angel. While these two projects were being completed, we still carefully monitored the solar power system.

Our main goal of the aluminum forge was to use as much brick as possible as brick is a really good thermal insulator. However, after a lot of trial and error of using the mini saw to cut the bricks, we decided to use a combination of brick slabs and cab (ours was made with water, clay, and sand). Robin taught us how to make cab and Abdullah, Cristian, and Jenny got the chance to mix the cab themselves. Cristian, the hero of the day, mini sawed all the bricks we needed for the forge, while taking mouthfuls of brick dust (he had a brick dust tan at the end of this). He had to saw bricks in half and in half again to reduce the width of the brick. Giselle, Cristian, and Jenny worked on sticking the slabs onto the cannister. In order to keep the heat of the charcoal concentrated on the ceramic crucible, we had to make an insulating lid to complement the cannister. Angel and Abdullah helped cut out a circle in the middle of the lid so the lid would not cover the crucible. They also drilled holes and attached the steel handle that came with for easy removal. The cab itself would not stick to the lid. Therefore, we needed to use the wet clay as an interface between so the cab would stick better. Jenny had to smooth a layer of clay onto the lid before adhering and packing another layer of cab on top. By the end of the day, we completed the brick and clay insulated ring and canister and will wait for it dry for tomorrow!

During mid-day, Dr. Basha, Angel, and Bryna ventured into town on a mission to purchase items for the projects. This was great timing as the town markets were open for business and it was a great opportunity to get much needed items. The walk to the market itself wasn't too bad and when they got to the market, the pair stopped at each ferreteria (hardware store) to see if they had a pair of masks (for the brick dust that Cristian was eating), some nails, tongs, springs, fire resistant gloves, and a pot that had handles and a lid with the diameter of the forge. On this mission, Angel served as el capitan to ask for the things they were looking for. He apparently did pretty well even though he doesn't have much experience with speaking live Spanish. In their quest for finding items, they were able to get a set of springs, masks, and nails. They were able to find a pot, but had trouble getting a decent price for it. Angel attempted to bargain with one of the stands to get the pot, but the vendors would not budge. They called our bluff, and knew Angel and Dr. Basha had no other choice but to pay up.

After accumulating a few of the items, there were some that they still could not find: fire resistant gloves, and tongs. They traveled all throughout the market searching, passing through countless natives to get to the next spot. At one point, a boy pushing a wheel barrel chose to stop in the most inconvenient place possible: at a junction. The poor boy caused a traffic jam, and unfortunately was at the receiving end of the frustration of everyone around him. This was toward the end of Angel and Dr. Basha's escapade, and they returned having bit the bullet and accepting that they would have to find the gloves and tongs at another time. All our progress has set us to be on track to hopefully test out our aluminum forge and begin constructing prototypes of the trash compactor on Wednesday!

After going back to the hotel, Oscar Peren brought his works over to the hotel to give us a little story spiel about his oil paintings again. We then had dinner and Abdullah, Giselle, Cristian, and Jenny decided to go out to the night market again just to walk around. Dr. Basha and Angel decided to stay behind and rest. Angel desperately pleaded us to buy a burger for him but to his disappointment, the burger place was closed and Angel did not get his burger. All condolences to Angel.