More Updates

From Puerto Rico...

I continue to receive emails daily from my friend in Puerto Rico.  Emails are his only link with the outside world, since cells phones are not working and his land line, which was working sporadically, has crashed.  

There is still no electricity, but fortunately their building has an emergency generator so that each apartment is able to run a refrigerator, and they have one outlet for small appliances.  There is no air conditioning, and the temperatures have been close to 90 degrees each day with high humidity.  Stores are not open, and there is a curfew from 6:00 PM until 6:00 AM.  You are not allowed to drive anywhere, although the good news is that their cars are fine.  Even though their building's garage is at a basement level, they are located on a slight hill with good drainage, and the parking area did not flood.

Commercial flights are now arriving and departing from the airport, and they will be leaving the island soon.  I should have a chance to see them here in Ohio before I leave for Mexico.

From Mexico...

Yesterday morning Mexico was hit with yet another earthquake.  The epicenter of the 6.1 quake was in the state of Oaxaca, in the area hard hit on September 7th.  Some buildings weakened by the earlier quake, and a damaged highway bridge collapsed.  Two additional deaths were reported.

In Mexico City, the earthquake sirens aroused those who were still asleep, and people left their homes and went out onto the street again.  The tremor was mild, and did no damage in the capital.  However, it surely added to the shell-shock suffered by the residents of that devastated city.  Life is slowly returning to normal although at a quicker pace than in Puerto Rico.  Classes in the schools will resume tomorrow.

I received a call yesterday from the owner of the apartment where I stay in Mexico City.  She had already heard from the "Administrador" of the building and knew that the it had suffered no damage.  Yesterday she finally heard from the maid.  The maid has been in the apartment, and said that there was no major damage inside... just a few little things which had fallen from tables were broken.  So, at least I know that I have a place to stay when I return in October. 

Update to the update...

I just read that this morning (Sunday) there was yet another quake.  This one was of a magnitude of 5.9, and its epicenter was off the Pacific coast of the Mexican state of Chiapas.  No further details at this moment.