Peace Corps Saftey and Security is right on top of any potential danger headed our way, so as of this past Tuesday we knew to be prepared for a possible hurricane. Before the weather news, we had had a nice weekend away planned for the volunteers in our region, scheduling a mandatory meeting in a cool hotel on the north coast that serves Indian food. We were more than disappointed when the PC called to let us know that we were being "consolidated", and everyone had to make their way to the nearest "safety checkpoint" for at least the next three days. That meant no cool hotel, and no Indian food! :´( In my case, I headed to a mediocre hotel in San Francisco de Macorís, just over an hour inland from my site.I always thought I´d feel like I was betraying my community if they ever pulled me out in an emergency, leaving my friends in the path of disaster. Though, it was hard to believe there was any real danger when I headed out Friday afternoon in sunny skies dotted with fluffy white clouds. No one seemed too worried, the path of the storm was only predicted to skim the southern coast, and in that case only with strong winds and rain. They were right not to worry.
The effects that hit us were disappointing to say the least. Rain came down like a dribble and a light cough would have created a stronger breeze than anything felt outside. (The photo above was actually the day after the hurricane, with heavier rains than during the storm!) If we were going to be evacuated and sheltered in a small hotel for three days, I would have liked to see some action! Well, at least everyone was safe, and I didn´t have to worry about anyone in my town getting hurt.
Instead, we made the most of our evacuation time. I completed the following, hurricane-survival techniques:
1. I went shopping and got some much-needed clothing items (clothes just disintegrate down here!)
2. I watched the following movies:
The Departed - 4 stars
Before Sunset - 4 stars
Coach Carter - 2.5 stars
Also:
Season 1 of The Office - 4 stars
3. Ate lots of food and drank lots of Snapple, with Peace Corps covering the tab (thanks American tax payers!)
4. Got back spasms from lack of physical activity
All in all I think it was a blessing in disguise. I´d been burning myself out with meetings and activities in my site, I needed some good quality rest time.
In having survived this hurricaine, I have the following recommendations for anyone who might find themself in the same situation:
1. Bring your laptop, or know someone who has one. With this, you can get lots of work done, or more importantly, watch lots of DVDs.
2. Bring lots of DVDs.
3. Bring a memory stick so you can transfer music from friends´ laptops onto your own. Key for when you were lacking enough Dominican music.
And that´s that. I´ll head back tomorrow and back to work. Hope all is well up there, and Happy Birthday Dad!
Joan
1 comment:
I was thinking about you. So glad to here you are safe. Love, Aunt Dianne
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