Boots and Ladders

Check us out: Badger 6, receiving our Orientation for Rebuilding Together (in the Warehouse). This was the start of our first week.

Our work day begins at 7:30am where we meet at the warehouse next to our house. We load up vehicles and then head out to respective sites. It seems we'll be varying it up each week with different jobs, which I'm looking forward to. A couple members of the team worked in the warehouse for the week. A couple worked in the salvage yard behind the warehouse, and the rest of us worked on a house a couple blocks away painting the exterior of the house and the top floor interior.


It was just us with the Rebuilding Together House Captain. Not working with volunteers was something new; We got right to work, and a majority of it was outside, which was nice. The weather was warm this week, in about the 70's and 80's at various times. We enjoyed ourselves.


I may have mentioned this before, but it's always nice to see pedestrians stroll and mention the house. Something I'm not used to is the slower-paced pedestrian culture here. Everyone says hello, and takes the time to enjoy what's going on around them. I've grown accustomed to the fast-paced atmosphere of Boston, where everyone is always in a rush and seems to be on a mission. Furthermore, the gratitude that is expressed by those in the neighborhood walking by who notice us working always reminds me why I'm here. There's always so much to be done. I do it because I can.

This week ended on Saturday with Octoberbuild, a big day for volunteers and organizations who come in and contribute a major effort in finishing these houses. Three of us worked at a house we'd spent cleaning the day before; It involved a lot of high ladders, which was a slight bit nerve-wracking, but I tackled by height phobia a bit. Just don't look down, and keep working. It seems I can go a little bit higher each time. . . Next week I'll try the 4 foot-ladder ;)

Something also worth mentioning: One of the volunteers on Saturday recognized us! From first round when we were in St Bernard! Go figure... Back when we had volunteered at the Los Islenos festival, he had also be working there. He said he recognized the "A" immediately. Small world! He seems very interested in the NCCC program, so its nice we were able to cross paths again to give him the scoop on our whole year since he saw us back in March.

That's it for now. We're exhausted and taking it easy on this day free, so energy is a full capacity for a another week with RT.