This is my favorite beach on Earth. It is the beach where I learned to surf. It is the place where I wanted to spend every holiday, vacation and major celebration from the time I was 17 until I turned 25. It is the beach where I would run to in times of trouble, the beach where I found myself, the last beach that I visited before moving to the mainland, and the beach where I want my ashes spread the day that I die. This beach holds my soul. It is not in some far-off place like Bali or Hawaii. It is in Puerto Rico, the island where I lived on for 18 years, the island where I grew up, the island where my family still lives and whose history is intertwined with that of the island. This beach is located in the tiny town of Arroyo, on the southeast side of the island. Hurricane Maria touched land this morning as a just-downgraded Category 4. And Arroyo was among the places to be hit first...I ache to think that everything I know of the island is going to disappear.
Friends and family across the island have been without power since 10:00 pm last night. My family's house is flooding from the force of the rain seeping in through the shuttered windows...and the storm hasn't even really started. It is going to take 12 hours for the slow-moving hurricane's eye to cross from the southeast corner of the island to its northwest coast. The rain and winds are expected to continue to be felt until Friday, when the tail of the storm finally leaves Puerto Rico.
Please keep in your thoughts and prayers this and all the other islands in the Caribbean and Atlantic that are being demolished by hurricanes this year.
It is so frightening with the hurricanes this year. Beaches are good at recovering though. I hope that you family and friends make it safe and sound through Maria.
ReplyDeleteHeartbroken that this is happening after the near miss of Irma. Sending love, protection and strength to your mom and family.
ReplyDeleteI love you, friend. I'm so sorry this is happening.
ReplyDeleteThis hurricane season has been something awful. Thinking about you and yours and keep us posted
ReplyDeleteWe listen to the German news every morning and they do cover these things.
ReplyDeleteMexico's earthquakes too. It seems to be true that Europe can look outside its borders for things like an 8 earthquake and Puerto Rico's 4 storm..
I thought of you when they interviewed a German couple leaving Florida hastily, saying (for all Germany to hear), "The hotel told us to leave. The stores had no water. The gas stations had a little left for us, but we left early. I am forced to realize that what we left behind, what we loved, the place and people we'd met might not survive."
That was on our local radio station.
I thought of you. But now?
There are no updates on radio for us lately.
Keeping your family in my thoughts... the news from PR is very frightening.
ReplyDeleteI've been keeping your family in Puerto Rico and Florida in my thoughts during this hurricane season. It is very scary.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you, your family, and your beloved, beautiful island </3
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear your family is okay, but terrible all the damage that's been done to the Island. Everyone has gotten hammered this year with hurricanes, and I'm not happy about it.
ReplyDeleteMaria hitting PR was actually much more scary for me on a personal level than either Harvey or Irma. I was scared for people, but I don't know anyone living in those areas. It's a different feeling being scared for specific people, people that you care about. I cannot even imagine your feelings right now. You and your family are absolutely in my thoughts and prayers right now and in the weeks to come.
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking about you and your family since before Harvey hit. I hope that the damage is minimal and that everyone is safe. And let this be the last one on the same path!
ReplyDeleteI thought I already commented on this...
ReplyDeleteI'm heartbroken for you, your family, and the island you love </3
I'm so so sorry and so glad to hear that your family is okay. Thinking about Puerto Rico constantly.
ReplyDeleteI'm a long time reader but rarely comment. I have been thinking of you and your family during this scary hurricane season. I hope your family has faired ok through the storm.
ReplyDeleteI also wanted to say that your whole fitness show series was so incredibly inspirational and well written. I love your writing style and have learned a ton from you about endurance (I'm a lifelong horse person and endurance is a goal), veterinary medicine, and now fitness shows. I was really worried that I wouldn't get to enjoy following your adventures anymore when I saw that your blog was private for a while. So thanks for being public again. ��
Bailey