A closer look at the home where we weathered the earthquake

We stayed with don Arecio and Sra. Victoria again on Saturday night, July 16, so I took advantage of the opportunity to better document the place we were when the earth began to shake three months ago to the day.

A front view of the house

There are a few things in this picture that are common to many homes in this area: clusters of bananas ready to be sold or used, clothes on the clothesline rain or shine, cacao beans drying on the concrete slab in front of the house, a hammock, dogs (though it looks like only one made its way into this picture).  The restroom facilities are in the building that you can partially see to the left of the picture.  The laundry "room" is next to the bathrooms as well.  

The family lives on the upper level, and I believe the bottom is used in part as hired hand residences and in part for storage.  After climbing the stairs that you can see in the middle of the house, you turn left to go into the dining room and kitchen as well as don Arecio and Sra. Victoria's sleeping quarters.  There is also a new indoor bathroom on that side.  It's not completely finished yet but can be used in case of emergency!  To the right of the stairs is the living room and two bedrooms, one of which Marsha and I use when we stay the night here.

Back in April, we waited out the earthquake at the top of the steps in between the two "living areas."  

There are three houses on the same property.  Don Arecio and Sra. Victoria live in the house on the left.  The middle house is vacant.  Don Hugo, Don Arecio's brother,  and his wife, Sra. Piedad, live in the house on the right the you can barely see in this picture.  We stay there sometimes as well.  Another brother, don Hernán and his wife, Sra. Marianita, live next to Hugo and Piedad, but there is a wall between their properties.  They do not currently attend the meetings.

Cacao beans

The living room where Sunday morning meeting is held each week

So, this is the doorway that didn't collapse on us back in April.  I was right in the door frame, and Marsha, Sra. Victoria and José, the son, were just beyond it.  Don Arecio made it down the stairs and outside.  

During the earthquake, I didn't ever have any thought of the house falling in on us, but I was quite sure that this hutch was going to come crashing down.  It was rattling to beat the band!  It did not fall, however.  There was a bit of rearranging done inside, but nothing even broke!  

That door that you can see in the background on the other side of the living room opens into the bedroom that Marsha and I use.

At the top of the stairs looking down