Life After Maria (Part 1)
Last month, a monster Category 5 Hurricane named Maria shook those of us living in Puerto Rico to our very core. Not 10 days before, the "Island of Enchantment" had already been hard hit by an equally scary Cat. 4 hurricane: Irma.
Many people on the northeast coast of the island were already suffering the aftermath when this atmospheric monster attacked us mercilessly. For almost 22 hours, ferocious winds that reached 200 MPH hit our tropical landscape from every direction; toppling almost every tree and wooden house in it's path. Those trees that didn't fall looked as if they had been burned or sandblasted.
Ninety percent of the power grid was either destroyed or severely damaged. Rivers and lakes overflowed and flooded nearby communities. Cell towers were either bent out of shape or misaligned.
The aftermath has been quasi-apocalyptic. No power or telecoms. No working Apps on cellphones to glare at every 2 seconds. No cable TV... actually no TV, period. Only 1 (one) radio station to listen to: WAPA Radio. Because, thankfully, they made the wise decision to keep their analog infrastructure in place (and well maintained) even though they had switched to digital years ago.
Keep in mind that Puerto Rico is an island. Nowhere to run. No jumping from one state to another. Everything has to be shipped either by sea or by air. Now, normally this isn't a problem at all. But when 100% of your infrastructure is damaged, every little thing becomes a major struggle.
Now, let me make this clear: we prepared. And when I say we, I mean the vast majority of "Puertorriqueños" (American citizens living on the island). But nobody could have ever prepared enough for a monster like Maria. She exposed us for what we are: a People too accustomed to comfort and who think that high-speed internet is a basic human necessity.
I'd really like to believe that we have learned something from all of this. But a month after Maria, the lucky ones that have had their electricity, water, internet, and telecoms re-established, seem like they are living in a bubble.
As for myself, I am lucky that I have running water, although it looks like we'll be another month or so without power or a stable internet connection. I am writing this on my cellphone, and as soon as I get a good signal I will upload it. Even if it's a month from now.