They're Kayaking Down the Middle of my Street !

This morning, Laine was a tropical storm heading my way.  Not much to worry about since it has been raining steadily for the past two days.  About the time it arrived here it had become a hurricane and I was unaware of that.  I noticed that it was raining heavily and the wind had picked up but its that time of year here.
Around one this afternoon, I heard a big commotion on the street, so I went to my gate to see what was going on.  I wish I had a digital camera so I could share this afternoon with you.  It was amazing what was happening!  The street was crowded with people who were drenched, working their asses off and having the time of their lives!  The street was flooding and folks were sandbagging, the military were marching down the street with pick axes, and the kids were riding their bikes through sprocket deep muddy water and having the time of their life!

Everyone was having the best time.  I took pictures with my camera but its just a 35mm.  I saw the military rescuing old ladies, carrying them down the middle of the street in lawn chairs.  The neighbors sandbagged my driveway for me and made sure that I have food and water.  Shit, they didn't ask if I had scotch though.  The adorable little soldiers stopped to make sure that I was secure.  Its still raining,and the water is rising, but I am fine thanks to good neighbors who I hadn't met since I am new to this part of town.

I just cannot say enough good things about the Mexicans!  They are wonderful and gracious.

And yes they are kayaking down my street!

•  Stay dry!

  Errm... until you get that scotch resupply, that is...

  by litho on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 02:43:15 PM PDT

  •  Its vodka tonight.

    Tomorrow is Independence Day and I hope this rain lets up for the fun.

    by mango on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 02:45:08 PM PDT

    •  If you get a chance

      toast me with a Padre Kino tinto... the only thing I could find to drink on an election day back in 1984.

      by litho on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 02:49:02 PM PDT

      •  Oh I know

        the Padre well.  Funny thing, no church bells this afternoon.  Thats strange.

        by mango on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 02:51:00 PM PDT

        •  That's cause

          you didn't get to know the Padre well enough, if you know what I mean.  (I'm sure it didn't have anything to do with the hurricane...)

          I'll bet you after three vodkas tonight there will be plenty of church bells...

          by litho on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 02:53:45 PM PDT

    •  A good vodka runs a poor second to a bad

      scotch IMHO ;) And soggy mangos aren't much fun either. Stay dry and safe...

      by Clive all hat no horse Rodeo on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 04:08:43 PM PDT

      •  I know

        but I am sandbagged in and my street is flooded up to my knees.  Guess I'll just stay in tonight and watch movies, or something.

        by mango on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 04:11:35 PM PDT

•  Well, stay safe for god's sake!

  I can't believe they didn't ask how your scotch supply was. Where are the priorities!!!

  ;)

  by PatsBard on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 02:43:29 PM PDT

  •  I know

    they are so rude, although I didn't see anybody drinking anything today.

    by mango on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 02:47:00 PM PDT

•  Ola, Mango. I love your reports from Mexico,

  I hear from our friends in Oaxaca that times are still tough there. Apparently the governor is still a bastard, thief and assassin.

  Good luck with the remainder of Hurricane Lane. He appears to be heading right up the coastline.

  by perro amarillo on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 02:46:33 PM PDT

  •  Thankyou

    but I spelled Lane's name wrong in the diary.

    by mango on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 02:48:16 PM PDT

•  Well, be sure to stay safe!

  Keep dry at least.

  by shayera on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 02:47:35 PM PDT

  •  I am

    dry and warm of course.  Its always warm here.

    by mango on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 02:49:34 PM PDT

    •  Do you think you're in

      any danger of losing electricity?

      Be sure to keep us updated.

      by shayera on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 02:52:14 PM PDT

      •  I had no

        electricity all afternoon.  It came back on about an hour ago.

        by mango on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 02:53:27 PM PDT

        •  I spent

          the afternoon on the patio watching all the activity.

          by mango on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 02:54:26 PM PDT

•  Vodka and mango juice go

  incredibly well together! I can't say enough how much I liked the Mexicans when I lived in L.A. Most wonderful, kind and generous people and always ready to help if you needed it. And of course, the majority got low wages for good work which is a real shame. The films El Norte and East of L.A., among a few others only scratched the surface on what it's really like for non-Americans to "experience" living in the US.

  by Asinus Asinum Fricat on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 02:54:16 PM PDT

  •  No juice

    unless I kill my parrot Mango.  It will be served with ice and water.  

    by mango on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 02:57:57 PM PDT

    •  noooooo!!!!!!

      by Buffalo Girl on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 03:32:23 PM PDT

•  I just saw the storm on TV

  and came here to see how you're doing. What wonderful neighbors you have! They probably didn't ask about scotch because they assumed you had enough tequila on hand ;)

  Thanks for posting. It's good to know you're well and everyone's having fun.

  by cotterperson on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 02:57:38 PM PDT

  •  I was so

    impressed with the attitude that they have here.  Nothing seems to get to them, unless it is a land deal.  Then watch out!

    by mango on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 02:59:55 PM PDT

    •  It's a wonderful culture they've built!

      Close families, people taking care of each other, lots of laughing and talking. Your posts bring back wonderful memories. Thank you so much.

      by cotterperson on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 03:12:16 PM PDT

      •  Did you

        live in Mexico?

        by mango on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 03:14:37 PM PDT

        •  No. I wish!

          We traveled there when I was a kid in the '50s, and many of my memories are from then. We stayed in hotels intended for Mexican vacationers rather than the Americanized ones. We met lots of great people of all ages and really came to love the Mexicans as you do.

          After a week at a Mexican resort, my dad would somehow find us an apartment to rent for a month. The trips we're really inexpensive that way. Our "months" were in Ajijic, Guadalajara, Manzanillo, and ... OMG! I am old. I can't recall the fourth place!

          As an adult, I've only traveled to the Yucatan (Merida, Akumal), but I'd love to go back to Manzanillo -- that's where you are, right? Ajijic was a wonderful little town, and my sister went back a couple of years ago -- said it's still great.

          Sorry to go on so long -- and thanks for the trip down memory land. Hope you have a happy rain and no big winds!

          by cotterperson on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 05:03:48 PM PDT

          •  I lived

            in Ajjic for two years before moving here.  Its full of Americans and I wanted a little more Mexico, and I sure did get it here!  I live in Melaque, about an hour west of Manzanillo.

            by mango on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 05:06:18 PM PDT

            •  Mmmmm.

              Sounds wonderful. I'd rather be more Mexico, too, but my sister (and especially her husband ) is more upscale / Americanized in just about every way.

              Hope your life is as good as it sounds. And thanks for the diary!

              by cotterperson on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 08:38:05 PM PDT

•  Glad to hear you're okay!!

  And trying to stay dry!

  I hope you're power stays on!!

  by Elise on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 03:27:19 PM PDT

  •  I will

    be fine, lots of candles and I'll just go to bed early.

    by mango on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 03:30:03 PM PDT

•  awesome diary

  please post new diary with pictures when you can.

  by hypersphere01 on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 03:46:14 PM PDT

  •  I would

    love to, but I don't have a digital camera.  My friends will be here in December, and they are bringing me one.

    by mango on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 03:48:49 PM PDT

•  Oh geez mango...

  what is going on here?! This is the second hurricane in 2 weeks. I'm glad this time you got to know the neighbors.

  Glad you're safe and sound.

  by Mary Mike on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 04:37:44 PM PDT

  •  Yes, I did

    meet the neighbors and a very handsome man who was sandbagging my house.  Of course, I had no makeup on.  He came by later to ask if everything was ok and introduced himself.  I still had no makeup on.  Dammit!

    by mango on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 04:41:22 PM PDT

    •  Well... I think you're going to get along

      just fine in this new neighborhood. Nice looking, caring, came back to check on you... hmmmmmm.

      by Mary Mike on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 04:45:46 PM PDT

    •  Don't worry some men like women for their minds

      some...I never said all...stay safe

      by ohcanada on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 04:56:00 PM PDT

      •  Full makeup

        and I'll even comb my hair manana!

        by mango on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 04:59:43 PM PDT

•  viva mexico!

  Happy Independence Day!

  by agentcooper on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 05:00:14 PM PDT

  •  Thanks

    its the best holiday of the year.  IMHO.

    by mango on Fri Sep 15, 2006 at 05:01:56 PM PDT