Q: Can an old dog learn new tricks? A: No

We take many things for granted in the United States.  One of those things, especially in Construction, is standardization:  Construction members are placed every 16" or 24", coverings come with dimensions of 4'x8', and insulation is sold in dimensions to accomodate the spacing and sizes of the construction members.

Standardization is a difficult word here in Chile.  Insulation comes in sheets that are 19.6"x39.3".  That makes stud spacing difficult.  Wood sometimes comes in traditional US dimensions and other times in antiquated Chilean dimensions.

Here are a few examples of problems that we've had with maestros:
1.  Floor joist spacing.  I left one day to gather materials, and I came back to see that all the floor spacing was different.  See photo below:

2.  The round trunks that go below the floor joists are called "durmientes."  I worked with a chainsaw to cut one side so taht we had a flat working surface on which to work for the floor joists that sit on top of it.  I have spoken several times with the carpinters about how to put the log with that side up, but they insist on putting it down, which means we have to chisel out for every beam to level our floor.  (Also see photo above)

However, old dogs do know some good tricks, and I have learned already this week some good things.

1.  I've learned about subterranean plumbing installation. (See below photos)

2.  I've learned about Chilean foundations: (see below photos)

So, life is filled with lessons, and the best we can do is keep learning.