The Day After the Hurricane!

I woke up this morning, anxious to get out and check the damage that Lane brought to my little piece of paradise.  The sky is still dark and cloudy, but my street, at least in front of my house was drying up  I am a block from the center of town, and went I got to the main street I was stunned!

Everywhere that I looked I saw mud and rivers of mud running down the middle of the street.  Some of the shops were open, but most were closed so I checked with those folks that I know and they all had tales of mud and flooding.  I walked to the beach and it is a shambles!  The beautiful beach is gone, and replaced with debris and garbage!  

The military have a big presence here today, and they are directing traffic and riding around in their big trucks.  Lots of medical armbands, and pick axes.  I noticed the elementary school was being used as a shelter and the military was delivering hot food as I walked by.  It smelled pretty damm good!

Since I had an urgent need for a liquor store, I left the main area for my little shop where they order my scotch for me.  I couldn't let them down by not showing up could I?  I was unable to get there by my usual route cause the road was blocked with fallen trees, so I had to backtrack through knee deep muddy water to get there.  We usually do not look into peoples house when walking by, just a custom I guess.  As I approached a house, a pretty lady was just standing outside on the sidewalk in the mud.  We exchanged greetings and as I walked by her house, I glanced in and there was her house with about three feet of water.  Her furniture was just as she left it, neatly arranged!  I said "oh my God" and turned back to her and told her how sorry I was.  She thanked me and shrugged her shoulders as if to say, shit happens!  I went to check on Jose and Maria, the folks who work for me and I had a hell of a time getting to their house, slipping and sliding along!  They have lost everything! I spent about three hours just checking out the situation, and I am so lucky!  All I suffered was a few hours with no electricity  I am feeling very emotional about this today, but the spirit and cheerfulness of the people here are inspiring!  Every car and truck in this town are on the street with folks helping one another. Another very sad aspect today, was the animals!  There are so many frightened dogs running around who will probably die under the wheels of a vehicle.  They are confused and running all over.

Today is Independence Day in Mexico, and I had planned to write a diary sharing the festivities with you.  I don't think there will be much partying tonight, but you never know.  I would never underestimate these wonderful, warm, hard working, hard partying people!