Keep talking to me please (thread four)

[annabanana]

We are keeping vigil for DUer mexicoxpat, who was facing Wilma alone on a little island off the coast of the Yucatan peninsula. We still haven't heard from her, and we are watching Hurricane Beta with growing concern.

Here's another candle for you mexicoxpat, until we hear from you.


- moved to the "everything else" forum, obviously -

continuation of thread three:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5144966

which was brought over from thread two:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5121850&mesg_id=5121850

from our original thread one:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5117434

[skylarmae]

1. wondering, and wishing, and praying

for safe return to communications and those hoping the best for mexicopat.

[roguevalley]

44. be careful and be well, my friend. we love you.

[charlyvi]

2. I've been thinking about her for the last couple of days.

Please, Mexicopat, let us know how you are as soon as you can--all my prayers and hope go out to you!

Thanks, Annabanana, for posting this latest thread.

[goclark]

39. Me too nt

[babylonsister]

3. MXPat, where are you? I too have been waiting and wondering,

hoping you are well and will be in touch soon! (thanks, annabanana, for keeping track of these)

[annabanana]

4. the last time we heard from her

was 8:59pm, Thursday the 20th of October.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5117434&mesg_id=5118217

"Thank u so much
you cannot imagine...nor could i...how important this contact is to me right now...i would never have thought that i would turn to DU in such a way..or in such circumstance...thank u...it really is important to have such a grounding place. i do not want to burden my children..or close frients with what is me now..but i need..i do! Thank you for provideing me that outlet. Thank u so much."

[nofurylike]

21. so nice of you to re-post that, annabanana. thank you! eom

[fooj]

5. We are here for you, mexicoxpat! ((((((((((hugs))))))))))

Lighting a candle for you...please check in if you can.:grouphug:

Peace.

[brook]

6. Thank you,annabanana...

Today is the first 'hard' info I've found in re Isla Mujeres.

pix and text- Isla damage

This leads me to think that the main reason we haven't heard from mexicoxpat is that there's no power available yet. I'm looking forward to a 'Welcome Home' party when she does get here!

edited to add:more pix

Scan down to see some awesome photos of a ship that landed alongside a hotel. The ship was blown across the bay from Isla!

[annabanana]

8. Thank you for the link...

The pictures are encouraging...

[applegrove]

7. I think they said power (which could be telling for telephone or mobile

cell) is out till mid November in places in Florida. Actually CNN publicised a map (website) put out by the eletricity company and tells Floridians, place by place, when & where the electricity will be restored. You may want to look it up?

Perhaps our friend is just without the internet but safe and sound.

It really does take a long time to fix "lines" after a hurricane. If she is on an island - then what - the mobile tower would easily go down or the telephone lines are not underground - they may be in the air or in an underwater cable - either one would be vulnerable to a storm.

Go to the site CNN mentioned and find out when the "lines" will be restored.

[brook]

9. I think...

I read that the lines/cables run out from Cancun underwater and that they went right to work on them last week - but, as the pictures show, many power poles are down on the island itself. I agree with you - it'll be awhile before anyone's firing up a computer there.

[applegrove]

11. Oh - sorry - she is off Yucatan - not in the keys. I have heard there are

crowds trying to get out. I'm sure anyone on a island is at the end of the line.

Does she live there? Or was she vacationing?

[brook]

12. She lives there.n/t

[applegrove]

13. Okay - likely waiting for the lines to get back up. I'd protect my home

if I lived there. And stick close by.

[nofurylike]

10. thank you for a new thread, annabanana! mexicoxpat, we're here and

sending you healing golden light and loving protective energy!!

lighting another candle to light your way back to us!


peace!

[newswolf56]

14. Did not know about this until now; I send prayerful best wishes:

May Mexico Pat be blessed by the protection of all the benevolent deities that are.

Having lived through many very severe storms (hurricanes in Florida as a boy and -- here in the Pacific Northwest -- big blows in from Asia and real rip-snorters down from the Arctic), I know that even in the United States it can take up to a month or more to get the electricity back on and the telephone wires re-strung: which I say not to belittle anybody's fears, but rather to put MP's silence in perspective.

By the way: anybody on this thread who works for a daily newspaper that's a member of Associated Press could have AP wire an "AX" to its Mexico affiliates inquiring about the status of the people who remained on the island. If someone here knows MP's true name, perhaps that could be passed along PM (so as not to violate her anonymity) if the inquiry develops to the point it would be worthwhile.

Hope this helps.

Meanwhile, for MP, bright blessings of good health, shelter, food and potable water.

[thinkingwoman]

15. Keeping good thoughts. nt

Sending energy.

[Richard D]

16. Last I read . . .

. . . there were no reports of fatalities or serious injuries on Isla Mujeres. Phone and power could take a month to restore.

[babylonsister]

17. Brief update on Isla Mujeres board (not from MXPat), dated 10/29:

Sounds encouraging to me!

Message:
I just returned from Isla Mujeres and it is really coming back fast. The bank was supposed to open yesterday, electricity to downtown area and maybe the whole island in about a week or so, but you know island-Mexican time. Always mannana (?).

We stayed at Cristalmar and everyone there was fine. The third floor had lots of broken glass, but we were on second floor and faired very well. Had water for a shower and to drink. Were able to cook on the gas stove (by candle light) when we could get in the kitchen. Downtown had some flooded streets, and the north beach did not do too well. Sunset grill is still there, but needs a new outer bar and lots of clean up inside the grill. Sergio's was gone, but they were working on that when we were there Thursday. It's amazing how fast everyone is working moving sand and debris, but tourism is their thing, so they must move fast. Helicopters were bringing in supplies as soon as they could fly. President Fox had visited a couple of times while I was there. We got there on the 19th and were suppose to leave the 26th, but I just got home last night (28th).

Edit to add:
...and a not-so-encouraging post from someone else.

I usually sit back and read posts which are very informative on this board but I have to chime in here to explain what the real situation is on Cancun and Isla since I was involved in some of the storm predictions (I am a retired NWS forecaster now contracted with Accu Weather) and spent some time observing the damage.

For relief workers, no doubt the Yuctan will be accessible by mid Nov. Great job to all pitching in!! It is a much different story for vacationers...Yes, access in mid December and hotel re-openings are likely, but despite what many locals are saying (I think to not scare away the high season push of tourist) unfortunatley Isla is very severely damaged and Cancun is very run down and will take some time to recover its secondary infrastructure. near 90% of Isla's beaches overspread the island during the storm. 90% of hotels were effected either by surge or wind damage, this is an official gov't report. In Cancun, the Hyatt and Hilton 'super structures' received 'structural damage and will not re-open until January or later...so imagine Isla's hotels and infrastucture.

Short, well rooted palms remain. Inland trees and power lines all down-almost 90%. Many structures still stand, but were totally flooded out and are destroyed inside. The already problematic water system will be VERY strained through Jan 2006. Much of the coastline has been changed from the erosion, winds and battering waves. Vacationers should be aware that they would be staying in a devesated area if visiting before March 2006, IMO.

[bonito]

18. Kick

[nofurylike]

19. keeping the candle burning for you, mexicoxpat!! eom

[nofurylike]

20. kick

[Larissa238]

22. Kick

and :hugs:. I hope that she is okay!

[Tsiyu]

23. thanks for reposting

Where are you? :shrug:

[ninkasi]

24. Here's hoping you're well and unharmed, Mexicopat...

Our thoughts are truly with you. I'll light a candle, to join in with the many others here who are doing the same. Let us hear from you as soon as possible.

[The Doctor.]

25. Does Skinner have any info on her address?

Has anyone asked Skinner for more contact info... or to at least try to get in touch with her himself?

I know if I lived only a few hours drive away from her location, I would not hesitate to go check on her.

And I know that there has to be someone on DU that might live close enough and be willing to do a little footwork to find her.

I have a great deal of faith that she weathered the storm. I can only assume she is either very busy, or connections have not been restored.

I'm all for a pro-active approach here. What are people doing to ascertain her condition?

[fleabert]

52. I sent a message to the Admins...last week, maybe on Wed?

Haven't heard back, but I basically asked the same questions you posit here. I know publishing her name and address isn't kosher, but maybe they could post her name anonymously on one of the boards that are set up to find people, or something more creative. That was my suggestion, but I know there was one other post in GD yesterday or the day before from someone else in Cancun, maybe they could post a message somewhere physically for 'mexicoxpat on DU' and if she wants to be found, she could contact that person...

I don't know what we can really do, since we all really rely on this being private. I will just keep thinking of her, and posting here once or twice a day to keep it kicked in case she comes back.

[The Doctor.]

53. Yes, it is frustrating...

There really isn't much the admins can do.

[BamaBecky]

26. Thinking about you mexicopat!

[charlyvi]

27. Kick. n/t

[AirmensMom]

28. Hoping you're safe.

Please write when you can mexicoxpat.
:hug:

[NMDemDist2]

29. kick, for our DU pal Pat. here's hoping electricity outages are all that

keeping her from us.

you are (and have been) in our thoughts and prayers MPat.

[ClayZ]

30. Just lit another candle for mexicoxpat!

Been thinking about you since before the storm!

[charlyvi]

31. Lighting a candle here for mexicopat....

Please, please be safe!

[Festivito]

32. Hope you find this while warm, fed and happy. /nt

[Dark]

33. There's ANOTHER fucking hurricane?

I thought Alpha was the last one?

[BrklynLiberal]

34. for MexicoXpat..

[ngGale]

35. Kicking....

:kick:

[nofurylike]

36. we're here, mexicoxpat!! eom

[nofurylike]

37. we are still talking to you. talk back soon!! eom

[chalky]

38. Kicking.

n/t

[annabanana]

40. Good Morning again mexicoXpat..

Sunday morning, another candle, and some good prayers and wishes for you.

[brook]

41. Another morrning 'hello'...

in the hopes that each morning things get better on the island and that we will soon be hearing from you.

Until then, :hug:'s, candles, prayers and :loveya:

[lostnfound]

42. Good morning, Mexicoxpat.

Some of us who aren't posting here in these threads are nonetheless checking them regularly hoping to see your sign-in name soon. Feeling worried about you and won't feel right until I know you are safe.

[wovenpaint]

43. thinking of you often

hope you'll be back on-line shortly!

:hi: :hi: :hi:

[fleabert]

45. Good afternoon mexicoXpat...we sure do look forward to your next post...

it will be party time :woohoo:

You have been in our thoughts for a week now, I hope you felt the love...

[EC]

46. kick

:kick:

[MaineDem]

47. Thinking of you, MXP!

Still hoping that you've been riding out the storm and the aftermath with good people and in comfortable surroundings.

Stay safe!

[charlyvi]

48. Kick!

[EuroObserver]

49. Some fresh reports from Isla Mujeres

can be found here: http://lornadice.blogspot.com/

If only we knew mexicoxpat's real name we could be asking around some boards.

Meanwhile, I've heard now from various sources that there were no reported Wilma-attributable deaths on the island, although there was considerable material destruction and the fresh water / medicines / food situation is still dire.

People can get from the island to Cancun by ferry and telephone from there, but on the island there appear to be still no lines or (without a generator) power. Direct roads between Merida (airport) and Cancun were still flooded Friday.

The Rebecca Lane / Island Girl expedition has been purchasing supplies locally (Mérida) and will maybe reach the island Monday, last I heard.

Will post when there's more...

Thanks for the thread!

[NMDemDist2]

50. good news on the "no fatalities' part and kicking it again n/t

[charlyvi]

51. Great news!

I just hope she is somewhere safe and sheltered.

[readmoreoften]

56. that is good news, indeed!

Stay strong Mex!

[skids]

54. kick n/t

:kick:

[annabanana]

55. Good Morning mexicoxpat!

We are heartened to read EuropeanObserver's information, and hope that electricity is the only thing keeping us from connecting!

[KC21304]

57. kick n/t

:kick:

[ClayZ]

59. Thinking "ELICTRICITY" thoughts for mexicoxpat

[charlyvi]

58. Kick n/t

[brook]

60. Hiya, mexicoxpat!

:hi:
C'mon back soon - or all the margaritas will get warm!

[annabanana]

61. She's BACK!!!

(here's her brand new safe thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2206807 )

[nofurylike]

62. thank you for letting us know, annabanana!! wow!!! peace!! eom