Surviving the Hurricane August 28, 2007
Posted by Emily in : Daily Life, Family, My Handsome Husband, Princess Hannah , add a commentWe were one of the “lucky” islands that got to experience “Hurricane Dean” last week. Our friends, Daniel and Lydia, were on Saba to experience this with us. The island took serious precautions, enough to make me seriously think that we should flee. Unfortunately, that was not a possibility because the only airline that flies to our tiny island was unable to fly planes in and our of here due to the strength and directional change of the wind. We could have taken a boat to get off the island if we really wanted to get off, but I have to say that I would rather experience a hurricane than take a ride on one of the ferries from Saba. Lets just say that I would prefer to be blown around on my patio than have my brain racked up and down in my head to ultimately end up heaving all of my guts out. I’m sure you get the point.
The day before the hurricane hit, the ocean was unusually calm. It was like lake water. We decided to take advantage of the calm ocean and we went to the beach. Hannah loved it. David took her into the water with him and she was floating, playing and waving. She is a professional “waver”. What a difference a day can make! The following day, the rains came down (sort of, for like 10 minutes) and the winds were ready to blow our house down! The ocean was heaping waves upon the rocks and any boat that was on the water was swallowed up into the depths of the ocean, I’m sure. The wind was only 65 MPH, but it felt like 200 MPH. To say we were EXTREMELY BORED would be an understatement. The power was turned of as a precaution, so we hung out in the house, ALL DAY LONG, without any power. This really wasn’t so bad, we just had NOTHING to do and going outside was not that inviting. The wind would blow my little one over in a second! When the power is out, you can’t watch TV, there is no internet, and opening the fridge is kept to a minimum. Lets just say that we have eaten better meals. The air conditioner could not be turned on, and it was literally “blowin’ the hurricane” (as my landlord puts it) when you opened the windows to allow fresh air to circulate. We sat inside, breathing each others hot recycled breath all day long. We got to know each other in ways we didn’t think possible.
For those of you who are crazy enough to think that it would be “fun” to hang out during a hurricane when you are counseled to leave, you are an idiot. (Ahem . . . stubborn Hurricane Katrina victims that refused to leave) We only experienced Tropical Storm weather conditions, I would not want to experience worse! Who would willingly want to hang out without power? The boredom factor alone would force me to evacuate!
A day before the hurricane. Hannah loves the ocean she is waving to all of her people!
Hannah and her Daddy enjoying the calm ocean the day before Hurricane Dean hit our island.
Our coconut tree just blowin’ in the hurricane wind!
This is a view from our patio. The ocean did not look that inviting . . .
