788 replies to this topic

[batman4ever]

well happy youre okay...always sad when nature strikes like that, but it just shows we are small when nature play with the power

 

we never know what the next day bring...and this should just be another reminder to "carpe diem"

[Macman]

Thanks, Batters.  At my age, about all I can do is "seize the day." 

[Macman]

The storm hit us about 6:00 AM Friday.  We are 65 miles from Tacloban.  Although we had many leaks in the roof because some tiles flew off, our roof is intact.  Almost every house in our neighborhood lost its roof, so we were fortunate.  That's the good news.  The bad news is that we will be without electricity for probably 6 months or more.  Not only are the lines down all over Leyte island, but the power plants themselves suffered severe damage. No power here is not pleasant.  No power means no water to the house.  Luckily, our town has plenty of free-flowing water, unlike Tacloban which gets its supply from the mountains 30 kilometers away.  That flow is disrupted.  Of course, we have to lug the water in buckets and containers.  I won't drink it unless it's boiled, but we also need it for bathing, cleaning dishes, flushing, etc. The town is a horror story.  Hundreds of homes completely gone and thousands severely damaged.  Banks are closed.  You need cash for everything here, but the banks can't check your balance without an internet line.  We waited on line for gasoline, which was only dispensed  to people walking in with cans.  It was supposed to be limited to 5 liters, but a friend worked at the service station, and we received 20. We can get rice and eggs without a problem, but have to be careful when buying chicken or pork off the street vendors.  We have to be certain that it comes from freshly-killed (a weird term) animals.  No power also means that we can't charge our cell phones.  Most of the time that doesn't matter because there isn't a signal.  People can't work, and the biggest lines are at the pawn shops.  We have 4 hospitals in town, but they were damaged too badly to house any patients.  The patients are at city hall, which was also damaged. I haven't seen any doctor's offices open yet.  No power also means no AC or even fans.  It's FRIGGIN' HOT here!!!!!!!!

 

As you might imagine, we have some relatives and friends staying with us because their homes were destroyed.  It's a little rough, but I'm glad we are in a position to help.

 

For some strange reason, even though we're in the typhoon belt, no one here seemed to know about the eye of the storm.  As the eye passed over us, our neighbors were yelling, "It's over," and starting to leave.  I yelled to them not to go anywhere because the 2nd half was coming, Sure enough, about a half hour later, ...  Almost everyone I talked to later expressed surpise that a "second storm" occurred.

 

The only reason I'm able to write this is that we took the car on a 5-hour ferry trip to Cebu City.  We came here to gas up the car, charge our cell phones, get some provisions, answer some emails, and pay some bills on the internet.  I'm in a beautiful hotel right now after having a terrific buffet breakfast.  Believe me, it won't be easy to go back, but ...  Watcha gonna do?

 

After we go back on Saturday evening, you won't be hearing from me because I won't have internet access.  Anyway, we're okay so ...

[dixon cox]

Anyway, we're okay so ...

 

I am so very pleased to see your post Mac.

 

The simple things in life which we (the rest of us) all take for granted on a daily basis, plus a few relative home comforts, we should all consider ourselves lucky and grateful. Tough times ahead for the next few months by the sounds of things and it's likely you won't see the messages of warm wishes and relief from your online friends for some time to come.

 

Just imagine how things might have been had you not been there with your 'second storm' warning and your ability to offer shelter to those closest to you. Things could have been very different.

 

Chok dee Mac 

[thailover57]

Glad to hear you're (almost) okay. I lived about 30 miles south of Boston when Hurricane Gloria hit in the '90's and we were without power for two weeks and I thought that was bad! There's much to be said about the reliance of people during a crisis. An on-line friend in Manila posted to Facebook that she was so happy her family made it through the storm safely - but their house was destroyed! Mother Nature appears to be really angry of late. I can't remember a time where there were so many storms, fires, tragedies throughout the world. Happy you're safe and thoughts are with you.

[Macman]

Thanks TL & DC.  I'm really torn.  Angel is worried about my health because of the doctor/hospital situation, so she wants me to go back to New York next month for 2 or 3 months. (She's also probably tired of watching the sweat pool all over me, day and night.) Believe me, even a snow storm sounds nice at this point.  I'd really like to go, but I know I'm going to feel guilty as hell.  I have to make up my mind by tomorrow because I'll need to book my flights while I'm here  in Cebu.  I don't know what the hell to do.  She'll be okay without me because of all the people staying at our place, but I'll still worry about her.  Communication may still pose a problem, so I'll be even more concerned.

 

TL, I remember Gloria very well, and I just missed Sandy last year.  My son and I left New York to come here on October 25th.  Sandy hit New York on the 29th.

[rxpharm]

Macman, glad to hear you, Angel and her family are ok. The scenes of destruction and loss of life are tragic. My thoughts are with you, Angel, her family and the survivors of the typhoon.

[Macman]

Thanks, Rx.  We just finished a great meal here in Cebu at a restaurant owned by an Aussie and his Pinoy wife at Ayala Mall.   Going back Sunday morning to the horror will be tough.  Angel started crying today at breakfast (a great buffet at the Quest Hotel), thinking about the folks back home on Leyte.  We tried calling them, but everybody's batteries need charging, so we couldn't reach them.  As much as I like it here, I want to see the people back on Leyte to make sure they're okay.  Very conflicted.

[JustSumGai]

buy a generator to take back if you can?

perhaps a small solar panel? 

someone you know might put it to use charging phones. FANS !!!!  Or you could run power next door, get a fridge or two up and running, Make ice. Grab some kerosene lamps...

were it me I could not leave, but I do not know your health concerns. 

[Hard News]

I live in the same house as a girl from Sebu....she is showing little remorse....Could be the filipino way !

[Macman]

JustSumGai, the generators are in short supply here.  More will be coming in, but right now the ones that are available are too expensive for what they provide; 21,000 pesos (about $485 US) for a generator that will power lights and a small fan, but not a fridge and certainly not an air-conditioner.  Not only that, but we loaded up our car with so many supplies that there's no room for a generator.  We have friends here in Cebu that will keep their eyes open for us.  If we have to make another trip here, we will.

 

Hard News, I don't know her story, but Cebu City did not suffer, although northern Cebu Island was hit fairly hard.

 

We'll be heading back home in the morning.

[Hard News]

Cerbu City....So her immediate Family is OK ....she is going back for christmas, so it will interesting if she sees things differently.

 

Obviously you are doing it tough.....Hang in there my thoughts are with you !!