The house project in Jaguey, Perú - Post 1

This week is our second and final week of swim lessons at Ms. Judy’s Pool, so I’m writing out this post with pen and paper. Currently, my two-year-old is trying to pry a water bottle lid out of my left hand even though I’ve told her, “No.” She’s nothing if not persistent and a little melodramatic when denied something she’s decided that she wants. In any event, this week I’d like to share an update (complete with photos) of our construction project on the coast in Perú.*

           As of July 2022, the project is well underway, so I would like to share some of the early construction photographs for the house site. I’ll be posting additional photos weekly to get us all up to speed on the progress. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to create a sustainable homestead on the Peruvian coast, and I’m glad that you’re along for the journey!

 *A (very) little background on the Jaguey project: My father grew up in Perú (age 2-7 in the jungle and age 7-10 in the capital Lima) and has long desired to return. My husband is Peruvian, and he and I have planned, since we married in 2008, to go back to live and work in Perú. In 2017 my father and mother purchased a property up the Panamericana Highway from Puchun with the intent to build a family homestead where we could all live and work together. My mother passed away July 14, 2020, and we miss her beyond what words could possibly express. My father, husband, three kids, and I are continuing the project with special help from my father- and mother-in-law and my brother- and sister-in-law.

We had a wall built around the farthest section of the property where the house will be located.

Water is crucial on any homestead, so work on sinking a well began right away.

This is the view of the walled-in area that will have the house and initial gardens as viewed from the small sand road below. This road cuts through our property.

Just across the sand road we’ve had a couple of areas fenced off to start our orchard and an asparagus/strawberry patch. We haven’t planted anything just yet, but this gets us one step closer to being ready.

This is a 3D rendering from our architectural engineer Cristian. We’ve made some changes to the original plan, but this gives a great sense for what our forever home will look like.