Hurricane Ike Refugee – Day 2
Hurricane Ike finally made landfall and Houston fell in its path. I spoke with the folks at my building’s front desk and they report that the building held up well: they do not think they lost any windows. They are running on the building’s backup power but that only operates lights in public areas and a couple of the elevators.
I also was in touch with a friend that rode out the storm at the AIG building across the street. He has to be there for work but he is better off their: the place is more secure, he has power and air conditioning, water and food. Plus, if he needs to check on his home he can walk there. Although he is across from where I live, he is unable to get a good view of my place.
Back in Mexico, my family and I took a drive to Puerto Morelos (just south of Cancun). As we walked out on the peer, we were greeted by some of the locals that had just returned from a fishing trip. They offered us free fish but we gratefully turned them down: we had nowhere to put them. These guys make their living taking tourists out fishing, snorkeling or scuba diving but with the choppy waters, they can’t take customers out. So, they pass their time fishing.
While in Puerto Morelos I found this home decorated with several toads. Being a member of Houston’s Toad Motor and Cycle Club, I had to snap a picture.
From Puerto Morelos we continued south to Playa del Carmen, a favorite place of mine. We stopped for lunch here and to check out the new construction. Playa del Carmen is growing fast but it appears to be better planned than Cancun.
I stopped to take a picture of this laundry place: it is named “Spidy Gonzales” [sic]. Back in the USA, Speed Gonzalez cartoons had been pulled because some people found them offensive to Mexicans. I am not sure who complained but we Mexicans love Speedy. Fortunately, thanks to all the out cries, Speedy Gonzalez is back on the air. We love Speed Gonzalez in Mexico and we Mexicans take no offense. By the way, that Nitro is what I am driving around in Mexico. It’s taken a little getting used to but it has come in handy for hauling friends, family and scuba gear around. Plus, it has plenty of power to get me ahead of the other cars at the lights (those of you that have driven in Mexico will understand).
