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.
