2017 Life Logs, Day 297: Puerto Rico on My Mind . . . Constantly
Date: Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Weather: From Sunny to Overcast with Sprinkles; High 71, Low 66 degrees F
Location: At Home in The Studio, Falmouth, MA
Five weeks ago tomorrow, Hurricane Maria ravaged the island of Puerto Rico. Since that day, Puerto Rico has been on my mind constantly. Finally, tonight in a phone conversation with Justin, I heard evidence that there is a speck of light at the end of the tunnel. Justin and Jo have always seen that speck of light and have been up-beat and determined since day one. I have had my share of doubts. But now there is evidence of progress that can give all of us the hope that Puerto Rico is slowly moving from survival to a period of rebuilding. As Justin told me tonight, it is strange that even though life is so very different than it was before the hurricane, all of a sudden life feels a ‘little’ like normal. At the center of most Puerto Rican towns there is a plaza and often there is an adjacent Catholic church. These plazas are the hearts of the little towns. People meet there, children play there, art markets and farmers markets are located there, and the little shops of the town line the streets around the plazas. And in Rincon last night, the lights returned to the plaza. Se Levanta, Rincon! Se Levanta, Puerto Rico! (translates as Puerto Rico Rises) There is still no power or water in most of the homes there, but at least there is light in the heart of this one little Puerto Rican town. And happening at the same time, communication has gotten easier. In addition to spotty cell service through the local provider called Claro, Justin and Jo’s iPhones now have a cell signal here and there. This is probably due to Google’s Project Loon balloons that now hover over the island, but for whatever reason, it is now easier to get in touch. There are water trucks that come to town and the people in the hills are still able to get water from local springs and rain water collection. Most people have enough food to survive and more food is trickling in. Seeds have arrived, and Jo has lots of little seedlings that, when they are ready to transplant, she will distribute to others. And I got a text from Amazon late today saying the sprouting trays and seeds for fresh sprouts to eat arrived today. Leaves are starting to come out on some of the trees that are still standing. People are working together to redistribute furniture to that lost all. Schools are starting to reopen. It is almost like the light in the plaza and the ability to communicate have started the heart of Puerto Rico beating once again. Justin thinks he will be back at work at some level starting tomorrow morning. Today he made a little money driving a friend to San Juan so she and her two children could fly back to the US. Yes, there is the exodus of people. The word on the street is that 100,000 people have fled since the hurricane hit and that another 1,000 are leaving daily. I have no idea if that is correct, but Justin says you can feel the emptiness. But those that have decided to stay are determined to make a go of things. I’d call this a good news day from Puerto Rico.
I heard from a friend in New Hampshire, Maureen Rogers, that the state employees of that little state donated enough food and water bottles to send to Puerto Rico to fill 17 tractor trailers. In just two days, they gathered 350,000 pounds of food and 300,000 water bottles that are not being loaded on a barge that will head to San Juan. Amazing! A catastrophe like this brings out both the worst and the best in people. I think it has brought out the worst in our President, but it seems to be bringing out the best in the people who have stayed in Puerto Rico and all of us here on the mainland who are doing what we can to support them. I have been amazed at the generosity of so many. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Little by little, day by day, I continue to research the best of this and that to send to Puerto Rico. Today I researched water filters. Which home filters are most effective in eliminating bacteria as well as water-borne viruses? Thankfully, the Berkey filter that Justin and Jo have gets an A+. But who can afford to buy one of these for every home? The filters alone cost over $150 dollars to replace once a year. Will most people really be able to afford replacements filters? Is there something cheaper and better? Justin and Jo had their Berkey before the hurricane as they have never trusted the water in Puerto Rico and they feel that as running water returns, it is more important than ever for every home to have a filter. If I can find the best and cheapest, can I then find someone to underwrite a project to supply every home in Aguada and Rincon with a filter? I have no idea, but I’ll proceed as if I can. Justin and Jo would like to distribute solar lamps like the Luci light to all homes with young children or the elderly as soon as possible. A Luci light is a bit like a little clear plastic beach ball with a solar-powered LED light inside. Justin and Jo have heard stories about young children struggling with the darkness at night and other stories of older people stumbling and falling in the darkness and they would like to help alleviate that problem. Today I found a different version of a Luci light called a Mokie that is a bit cheaper and then I discovered that there are other inflatable solar lamps. So, the search for the best and most affordable of solar lamp will continue tomorrow.
This afternoon I took a break and went to spend a little time with the Goldpebbles. Today was an early release day so that teachers could have parent-teacher conferences in the afternoon. So while Heather and Jed went to conferences, I stayed with Sam, Jonah, and Ollie. They have been so busy since school started and I have been so absorbed with my ‘hurricane central’ activities, that I just haven’t been able to spend much time with them. This afternoon we just enjoyed a relaxed time together. Sam worked on his homework while Ollie and I played card games and Jonah played outside. Then Jonah came in and worked with Ollie and I to do our favorite ocean puzzle. Then when Heather returned home, we worked together on setting up a homework center in the den. Right now the boys do their homework at the dining table which works okay, but Sam was requesting his own quiet space. The two of us brainstormed ideas and came up with the idea of setting up private cubicles around a table in the den. We got it set up, and we shall see if that works.
So life is good here. It is going to be rainy and windy tomorrow and the temperature is going to drop a bit, making it feel a little more like fall than summer. I’m always sad to see the warm temperatures fade away, but I can’t complain as we have had a beautiful fall to this point.
