Saturday, January 20, 2007

Water

The dry season is here!! For the past 2 months we have been trying to get running water in our property in Valle de Angeles. We had to determine where we wanted spigots (for watering the yard); place all the pvc tubes needed to run the water; build a brick shed to protect the pump and tank for the cistern; have iron doors made for the shed and get the ENEE (the electric company) to hook up the electricity. After everything was said and done and exactly 3 days before we had the pump installed, someone broke into the property and stole the electric cables and spigots . Everything for a grand total of Lps. 1,500 (about $75!!!!) The damages are almost twice as much as what they took, go figure.... Here is a piece of advice: Put up a fence. A tall fence.

We had the average wooden posts with 3 lines of barb wire. It was rustic and was there more as a way of defining the property line as opposed to security - Valle is very safe. Now we are in the process of building a security fence before we install the pump and tank. About a week ago, the newspaper had a story about a man that went around stealing electric cables in Valle. In his last robery, he made a mistake while cutting the cable. Needless to say, he is not with us anymore....

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a lesson well learned my friend. My bride comes from Honduras and she insist when we build there, the first thing is a high security fence and a 24 guard as it goes up. You are not in south Florida, buy guns, dogs, and hire security. Make no mistake it's not like Iraq, but, you don't have police forces like in the U.S.A. protect yourself first and formost.
Rocky

Honduras Sprout said...

Very true Rocky. Some people (American's) see the fences and wires and think how awful it would be to live behind those walls and wire. I actually have a hard time imagining it myself...but what's the alternative? Don't live there. It's just the way it is. These are just things you have to learn to live with when it comes to living in Honduras or any other 3rd world.

Anonymous said...

I was interested to see your comment that Valle is a safe area. I'll be moving to Honduras towards the end of the year and may be spending some time in Valle de Angeles. I agree with putting up a fence as an important security measure. It is a pitty that it is so necessary both because you can't be too trusting and also because it obstructs one's view. I wish you well as you continue to build.

If I do any building, I'll be sure to be there as much as possible and pay as I go, so as not to be defrauded.