Construction began in October 2009. Owing to the fact that there is virtually no wood on the island, what does exist is very precious and temporarily used to frame houses, not to be built into them. Therefore, unlike in the U.S., the entire house is constructed of poured concrete with openings filled in with bricks. The resulting house could withstand a war, an earthquake, a monsoon, a hurricane, a wrecking ball and a rock concert all on the same day.
First things first, however. The site, former farmland, required serious clearing. Fifteen foot canes lined the field with the remainder covered in knee high weeds amid sweeps of quite lovely wildflowers. Everyone hoped it would not be a rainy fall and we were very lucky in that regard. Work was able to continue without interruption throughout the fall and winter of 2009 and into the spring of 2010.
Once cleared, the men and machines moved in. Both houses were to be constructed serially using the same crews doing the same jobs days apart, first at BF's house then at our house. Holes for the foundations were dug and the frames for pouring concrete were built. Then came an overkill of rebar and the poured concrete foundations and first floors. After these set, the rebar and concrete for the upper floors was poured. Insulation was inserted during the pouring process.
The plumbing and electrical was taken care of somehow. I didn't pay particular attention to that part but I trust that when I turn on the faucet, water will flow and when I flip a switch a light will come on...and not the other way around.
Over the brick and concrete a finer layer of concrete was applied, both inside and out. And that's where we are, as of today. On top of this a finish layer of concrete will be applied. This, I learned, is what stucco is...a fine layer of concrete. Then all surfaces inside and out will be painted a whitest white, just like in the tourist brochures.
The current set of decisions are the ones that most interest me. What shade of the requisite "Greek island blue" shall we paint the exterior trim and doors? What color and style of tiles for the bathrooms? Black granite or white marble counter top? What color kitchen cabinets? Terra Cotta tiles throughout the house? What size? Marble or tiled stairs? Where will I find sun-resistant fabric and a local person with a sewing machine to make cushions for the outdoor terraces? What color grout for the flagstone paths and terraces? Where shall we locate the vegetable and flower garden? Is it feasible to raise goats and make our own feta? What about keeping bees? Shall we plant an olive grove?
The Greeks have a wonderful saying that translates roughly as follows: Plant figs for yourself, grapes for your children and olives for your grandchildren. How long would it take for us to plant the vines, grow the grapes and make our own wine? Can we plant mature vines to give us a head start?
Or should I just make friends with the neighbors to our right? Which, by the way, suggests the use to which one family puts their plot's little stone shed. I came upon our neighbors stomping grapes in their shed one warm afternoon while wandering along a path. with lots of gestures and smiles on both sides, they allowed me to take a photo and gave me a bunch of grapes to taste. Each tiny white grape was an explosion of sweet liquid honey in the mouth that tasted of sun, happy bees, vanilla and, inexplicably, violets. Lucky children!
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