I took a short break from laundry today to work with my church canvassing our new neighbors to determine how they were doing after the flooding of their homes.
To my surprise, they had all moved back in. Cleaning up with the few resources they had available.
I was surprised because the neighborhood where we have been picking up laundry is still steeped in mud. Part of that is due to the topography. The mud has settled in low-lying areas.
But the neighborhood behind our new church palapa received some of the most forceful flooding. Even so, they were up and running -- with one exception. Food.
The President of the Municipality (some compare the office to a mayor, but it seems more like the chairman of a county board of commissioners to me) came through the neighborhood along with the Army -- handing out Red Cross food boxes. But the contents were rather limited.
The church will put together food boxes tomorrow to get more food into the hands -- and stomachs -- of our neighbors.
Overall, Melaque seems to be on its feet again. But there are nagging symbols that remind us not everything is quite operating as it should.
Wednesday is tianguis day in Melaque. The traveling open-air market that always reminds me of a garage sale on steroids.
On a normal Wednesday, the tables stretch for five continuous blocks in the street -- with a tarp covering to provide shade from what is still a relentless sun.
But, not today. There were a few lone tables. Some under tarps. Some in the sun.
And there is an irony there. The tianguis provide exactly the type of items that people who have been through a flood need. But there were no shoppers. When you cannot afford to buy food, you cannot afford to buy clothes. Even used clothes.
And thus the laundry project continues.
Wednesday is tianguis day in Melaque. The traveling open-air market that always reminds me of a garage sale on steroids.
On a normal Wednesday, the tables stretch for five continuous blocks in the street -- with a tarp covering to provide shade from what is still a relentless sun.
But, not today. There were a few lone tables. Some under tarps. Some in the sun.
And there is an irony there. The tianguis provide exactly the type of items that people who have been through a flood need. But there were no shoppers. When you cannot afford to buy food, you cannot afford to buy clothes. Even used clothes.
And thus the laundry project continues.
But there was one symbol of change. The palms are being laid on the palapa roof. Even though the road in front of the new building is still a bit difficult to traverse (see the photograph at the top of the post), it appears the roof on the palapa will soon be completed.
I hope when it is, our neighbors will also be back on their feet. With full bellies and laundered clothes.
I hope when it is, our neighbors will also be back on their feet. With full bellies and laundered clothes.
14 comments:
Having grown up in a rather poor area of Portland and just getting out before the infamous Columbia River flood of 1949, I still never remember seeing a street like the one front of your church. Such a treat to hear how you and your neighbors are pitching in to clean up, feed and assist in whatever ways are available. Blessings on you and your neighbors as you perform some dirty but necessary tasks.
Kinda miraculous that the church frame weathered the storm.
Thanks so much for the blog and photos. We're anxious to meet some of our new neighbors when we get there in a week+.
Life gets back to normal 'poco a poco' as they say around here.
I am enjoying playing the servant.
Nice use of adjectives.
You are welcome. I, of course, look forward to seeing the two of you.
The businesses in the flooded area were up and running within a couple of days after the water receded. As are most of the residences. But there are a few that are stuck in the mud -- literally.
Nice big bldg, room for the whole community.
As Felipe noted, it's a wonder that the church frame is still there. Glad you are helping in the recovery effort. As you may know, Central America has had a deluge. My city was spared but people are collecting food and clothes to the south.
As you have often noted, we can only put a dent in need. But, at least, it is a dent.
It is large. And we hope to fill it.
Being a relative "Newbie" to those that love Melaque, I just discovered the Tomzap site about a week before the hurricane hit. I have been glued to it ever since and greatly appreciate your blog and photos. Thank you for providing your perspective to those of us that are still so far away. Could you please tell me where the new church is being built and what street in your photo above received so much flooding damage. Thanks.
The new palapa is near the corner of Reforma and Alberto Macias in Villa Obregon. It is right next door to the equipment rental shop with the mannequin on the scaffolding. (Rather, where the mannequin was before the owner saved him from a spreading fate during the hurricane.)
Alberto Macias is the street in front of the new palapa. From there up to about the highway there was a band of flooding that stretched all the way across the three villages.
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