What the ????

What The ???????

I mentioned in the last post building Genevieve a desk. “G” and took some measurements and designed a very simple desk. The top was 40 inches X 18 inches, square legs and a small cubby on each side bellow the desktop.  She was so excited about the idea of having a spot she could sit at and draw, or play with her things. So after talking the kids to school I headed to one of the many roadside “saw mills” outside of town. I created a very detailed materials list in attempt to minimize confusion with the guys at the mill. After a lot of pointing, hand gestures, and looking at a tape measure I was reasonably confident he had the correct info. I told him I wanted Teak as there is a lot of dark wood in the house.

He made a phone call to the boss and I was given the price $165.00 US. What the ??? How could that be possible ? I told the employee “mucho dinero”. He come down to $130 and would not budge. I asked him for a price on a lower quality wood and that was $100. Before going to the mill I thought the wood could be as much as $65 but it was double. Understand each guy working at the mill probably makes $2.00 or $2.50 per hour. It is like they are milling gold not wood. Needless to say I didn’t buy any wood.

I have mentioned before that this place is not cheap. When I mention this to others here, specifically vacationers they look at me like they don’t understand. They usually say something like “this beer is only $2.50”. The cost of eating out is almost as much as California. No body seems to realize they are in a third world country and the guy preparing the food and serving the beer is probably only making $2.00 per hour, not to mention a tip is not expected. The import taxes on goods also drive up prices . For example Amy bought a handful of plastic storage containers, some plastic hangers, and a couple other small items for a total cost of $54.00.

I am not complaining I am just trying to understand how this place works. How do the locals survive ? For us it’s different even though we are on a limited budget we have enough to live simply but comfortably. Things cost what they cost and we either make the purchase or come up with a different solution to the need/desire.

Back to the desk. While at the mill while weighing my limited options I remembered seeing some wood and what looked like some broken furniture shoved in between the house and the fence. When I got back to the house I got the dug the wood out. I found an old headboard which was the shape of a half round about 38 inches at its widest point and 2 faux tree limbs which measured about 4 inches across and 7 feet long. For the cost of some wood screws and carpenters glue Genevieve has a desk.

Until next time

Papa Grande