I have spent the last several days preparing our team to drive down to Guatemala. We have a foundation that provides funds and equipment to the firefighters in Guatemala.
Yesterday, I had quite the entertaining show. I watched our two mechanics fight it out. One mechanic was our own Ed Hennings from my fire department in the States. The other was Eduardo Luna, a firefighter from Guatemala. Each of them are skilled at metalergy. But neither speak the others language. Literally and figuratively.
At one point I walked in and asked Ed (in English) how much longer it was going to take to finish the welding of our tow hitches. He shrugged his shoulders in frustration and pointed to Eduardo and went back to work. I then asked Eduardo (in Spanish) how much longer it would take to finish. He also shrugged his shoulders in frustration and pointed to Ed and went back to work. They both obviously felt it was taking too long and were frustrated by the other....
The other mechanics in the shop were telling me they had been in stitches all day, listening to Ed speak louder and slower when Eduardo was obviously not understanding his English.... "screw? SCREW? bolt? bolt? BOLT? oh nut you mean the nut..."
Well they are off and they are headed for a 4000 mile adventure to Guatemala to deliver the much needed equipment and supplies.
Visit www.bravefoundation.org for more information about their adventures....
12 years ago
