-- and day.
Two weeks ago, in 2 1/2 inches, I wrote that our drought had been broken by a series of thunderstorms. And the rain was a welcome relief.
For the farmers.
For those of us who needed a break in the weather from the summer heat.
Since then, we have been getting our share of rain -- and more.
During the past twenty-four hours we have had enough rain that the ground does not know what to do with it. The streets look like the aquatic version of semana santa. Too many guests, not enough rooms.
The photograph of Melaque's main steet at the top of this post illustrates two points.
The first is that the other end of the street has standing water deep enough that cars cannot pass. The city has barricaded the street. (However, if you enlarge the photograph, you will see that 12-year old boys on bicycles have no trouble getting through the water.)
The second point is the nature of the barricade. Knowing that locals are not likely to obey a mere sign, the city used a bus to barricade the street. The same type of serious business that a SWAT team would use to hold back onlookers.
It worked.
I know that some of you in the Yucatan are scoffing at labeling the water as deep.
But the memory of the flood of September 2007 runs deep in this community. That flood put enough water in downtown Melaque that vans were almost inundated. In some areas, there was ten feet of standing water.
On Wednesday, the schools declared a rain day, and closed down. The result was knots of children taking off their shoes, rolling up their pants, and running through the nearest deep pool of water. Proving once again that the best age in life is 12.
I am not 12. So, I had to find my pleasures elsewhere.
I topped my day off with a pleasant evening of dinner and conversation with friends. Two of them are leaving at the end of the month to audition the exotic attractions of Guanajuato. I intend to stay in contact with them because that may be my next destination this coming May.
Until then, I will enjoy this weather. This gift of rain.
And so our season begins to change from the Hades to Valhalla. At least for six more months.
For the farmers.
For those of us who needed a break in the weather from the summer heat.
Since then, we have been getting our share of rain -- and more.
During the past twenty-four hours we have had enough rain that the ground does not know what to do with it. The streets look like the aquatic version of semana santa. Too many guests, not enough rooms.
The photograph of Melaque's main steet at the top of this post illustrates two points.
The first is that the other end of the street has standing water deep enough that cars cannot pass. The city has barricaded the street. (However, if you enlarge the photograph, you will see that 12-year old boys on bicycles have no trouble getting through the water.)
The second point is the nature of the barricade. Knowing that locals are not likely to obey a mere sign, the city used a bus to barricade the street. The same type of serious business that a SWAT team would use to hold back onlookers.
It worked.
I know that some of you in the Yucatan are scoffing at labeling the water as deep.
But the memory of the flood of September 2007 runs deep in this community. That flood put enough water in downtown Melaque that vans were almost inundated. In some areas, there was ten feet of standing water.
On Wednesday, the schools declared a rain day, and closed down. The result was knots of children taking off their shoes, rolling up their pants, and running through the nearest deep pool of water. Proving once again that the best age in life is 12.
I am not 12. So, I had to find my pleasures elsewhere.
I topped my day off with a pleasant evening of dinner and conversation with friends. Two of them are leaving at the end of the month to audition the exotic attractions of Guanajuato. I intend to stay in contact with them because that may be my next destination this coming May.
Until then, I will enjoy this weather. This gift of rain.
And so our season begins to change from the Hades to Valhalla. At least for six more months.
Good to see you are finally getting some much deserved relief from the heat. The next 6 months will almost make you forget summer in Melaque.
ReplyDeleteFrancisco
Just glad you made it through safely. Usually, the weather after a TS passes through is some of the most beautiful you could ask for. Hold on to that thought!
ReplyDeleteHi Steve, Wow, what a rain huh? Hoping this means the end to heat. email me about a La Manzanilla rental- june@visitlamanzanilla.com. See you soon!
ReplyDeleteDoncha love Mexico! If you put up a barricade, people will run it. If you put up a BUS, people will respect it.
ReplyDeleteSeeing the amount of water in Melaque from Rick makes me wonder what Mazatlan looks like today.
-MT
We have a mere drizzle this morning in Salem and I'm going to brave the cool morning riding my bike to work yet another day...
ReplyDeleteI guess a second floor apartment is a good thing ;-) We received a lot of Rick rain all the way over here - but we are used to it and the drain systems are in place from LOTS of practice.
ReplyDeleteJust bringing you a little of the wet, you are so use to....just a little warmer.
ReplyDeleteFrancisco -- The nights are getting very pleasant.
ReplyDeleteIslagringo -- And it has been delightful.
VisitLaManzanilla -- It turns out I will be staying in Melaque for the winter.
Mexican Trailrunner -- But the barricade was effective.
Cynthia and Mike -- I was wondering what you were going to do once the Oregon rains started.
Calypso -- Our streets are simply not designed for the rains that come every year. Go figure.
Constantino -- I love standing out in this rain. As long as it doesn't knock me down.