06/04: The 3000 Liter Water Tank Stand

We had the stone, the sand, the ballast, the cement, the lumber, and a growing case of building fever. So we set to it and in three work days raised a modest 6’x6’x6′ water tower of babel. Despite of the fact that the mutually unintelligible chattering was limited to just three distinct tongues: Kiswahili, Kikamba and Kalifornian, we managed a respectable amount of confusion.

What follows is the tale in summary in two parts. Part one, at the standard picture/word rate should be worth about twenty one thousand.

$The grid. The two outside lines heading north and south are 18\" apart, the width of babel\'s foundation. The third line is 4\" from it\'s neighbor and represents the outside edge of the stones that will make up the wall. We replicate them on the ground then Gilbert traces them in white cement, our chalk.$

$The next two unloading pictures are really \"action shots,\"$

$Here it\'s 1 part cement, 3 parts sand.$

$It\'s much more than you\'d think.$

$In best Julia Child\'s voice,,,\"then you take a 20 liter gerry can, and upend it in the middle of the mix,$

$Occasionally a mzee (best translated old or wise...not much ambiguity in this case) mzungu may want to participate... it\'s a curiosity peculiar to their kind...$

See you with part two before the foundation cures.

Yours for towering dreams,

David and the tower people

Comments(4)

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Chris says
June 4, 2008 at 11:56 pm

What a great story — and great project. You’re practicing cliff-hanger photographic prose now, I see. And I can’t wait to see the finished edifice. Thanks for taking us along so many beautiful steps of the journey.
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Peggy says
June 5, 2008 at 12:07 am

David — As always I am utterly amazed at the accomplishments under the circumstances. Having watched a zillion cooking shows I could follow the recipe. What a great crew of “cooks” you have and so colorful.

Thank you for another great photo-story!
Peggy
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david says
June 5, 2008 at 6:02 am

Hi Peggy,

I’m not sure how Jacques Pepin would feel about our “cooking,” but I’m glad you liked it. Stop by for a slice and tea any afternoon. And, sa always, thanks for all your efforts.

Best,

David
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david says
June 5, 2008 at 6:13 am

Dear Christian,

We prefer to think of it as “tower-hanging” photo prose, when we think of it at all. And in an attempt to restore stable cardiac rhythms all around, I’ve come clean with part 2.

And speaking of literary anticipation, I’m all full of a chapter two thirst now that I have drunk chapter one in full measure. Beautiful and full of allure. Hook a brother up!

Thankful for God’s gift to you,

David

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