Sunday, October 30, 2005

SIX DAYS IN CANCUN

DAY FOUR - October 23 Sunday

At the first light our whole room was up and out the door. It was over. Now we had to concentrate on being rescued.

It had become apparent to us that we were lost. The RUI group had evacuated the gym the best way they could ensuring that the 1,600 people trapped in a rapidly deteriorating building would be taken to a safe place. The bus driver was a hero, finding us a safe sanctuary during the beginning of a Category 4 hurricane.

Tido, the Entertainer had stayed true to his promise to take care of us and share food. The men in our group were determined to take charge of our destiny from this point on.

Papa and his son's persuaded the taxi driver to take them back into the area we had originated from. Even though the streets were flooded, trees blocked the roads, wires were down and God knows what else was out there, he took them.

There was a collective sigh of relief felt in our compound. We had endured the Hurricane under the most adverse of conditions and had outsmarted, outlived, and persevered! We were true survivors!

We also stank. Each one of us had been wearing the same clothes since Thursday. We had some extra T-shirts, but for the most part....we smelled pretty ripe.

The men came back with news that the LaSalle school (the school across the street from the gym) was in worse condition than our little ghetto school. Windows broken, trees felled on the school and tempers raging over unsanitary conditions and lack of food and water.

We had to go back. We had no choice in the matter. The military showed up and so we packed up our possessions, which were becoming even more meager, and prepared to evacuate once again.

But first......group photo!

Survivor Cancun.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Don't tell us they are miaking you go back to the LaSalle school again!  Can't wait for the rest of this!
Sam

Anonymous said...

"Survivor Cancun."

Mary, your sense of humor is priceless! :-) ---Robbie

Anonymous said...

Are you in this picture?

Anonymous said...

Nelle ~ she's the one in the white capris and blue v-neck Old Navy shirt!

~~ jennifer

Anonymous said...

Great picture.  Total Survivors.  Still...the trek back to camp is upon you.  Reading on...

Anonymous said...

I'm glad the picture's not scratch and sniff.