Down the Rabbit hole in Marathon

I think we've fallen down the rabbit hole. The day began with nice sunshine, and we decided to go for a tour of Marathon. Couldn't possibly take long, this is such a tiny place. But, this is just another lesson in slowing down and not just looking, but SEEING. And, being curious enough to ask questions. And, appreciate the work everyone does.

The tiny town is very compact. At the edge of town, each street just ends, no sprawl here. We saw a curious looking house on the western side of town, one that looked like a box covered with giant colorful tiles. We picked our way through the scrub, and noticed that the other buildings around the tile house were equally interesting, and all different. Then, we realized that all the structures were built with found materials. Of course we stopped, and that's when we fell down the rabbit hole.

Le Loma del Chiva(www.lelomadelchiva.com) is a hostel of a different sort. The people staying there, about 5 right now, are all members of an organization called WWOOF,and they were there to build. Becky, from England, was just finishing the stucco part of Becky's Beehive, with help from Kevin, from VA, who is here with his girlfriend Sara, from SC, for a month before they begin their spring and summer jobs at Big Bend National Park. The Beehive will sleep two, and has one operable window which began its life as the back window of a pick-up truck. The other sources of light are bottles of various colors and sizes, and the clerestory windows are glass blocks. There are two ventilation holes,on opposite side, which can be plugged in winter. The main construction material is hay and mesh wire of various kinds and materials. Becky said the heavier stuff was not so kind to work with, not forgiving enough for a rounded structure. Inside,she had embedded a fancy rim of some kind in the ceiling, creating a chandelier. There are also a couple wooden brackets that become clothes hooks and a niche built into one wall for little things. She'll paint it orange outside and cooler colors inside. She was very proud, and I was excited for her!

Kevin, from VA, working on the Beehive..
 
This is Becky, from England..
 
The Tile House was actually made of what appeared to be plywood, but I don't know what it really is. It is two stories, with working windows on all three sides.
 

Totally built with found materials, and probably with WWOOF labor.
 

From Kevin and Becky, I learned about an organization that matches workers who want to learn about sustainable farming or building, with farmers or builders who will exchange teaching and housing for cheap or free labor. WWOOF. One of the men we met today was working in the garden, while everyone else seemed to be focused on construction. A terrific way to learn, get work done, and travel.

More later, my fingers are frozen stiff, I'm sitting outside in order to get a signal. Besides, it's time for a sunset cocktail.