Marcia Abramson
The Mexican resorts of Cozamel and Cancun left thousands of pleasure seeking American tourists stranded without basic necessities or the means to return home. The airport at Merida could not possibly accommodate the busloads of people who waned to fly back home to the States. I remember riding through the city (known for its beautiful white stone quarries) in a horse drawn carriage and witnessing the perennial labor demonstration in the main square. Merida was a port of call on the elegant Radisson Seven Seas Navigator Cruise ship. Cozamel was also on the ship's itinerary. We were greeted by the music of colorful native costumed beautiful women and handsome men as we disembarked at a large (tourist trap) shopping mall with the ubiquitous silver jewelry shops. This was far different from the quiet Mayan diving and fishing town I had visited a few years ago. Hopefully, there was no damage to the fabulous coral reef here, believed to be second in size only to Australia's great barrier reef. I understand that the French Quarter in New Orleans remained dry for the most part when the levees broke down and that the music on Bourbon Street played on. The Sonesta, New Orleans Hotel never closed and provided housing for the emergency work force during the clean up. Many of the hotels are now open for business as well as the world famous Café Du Monde with their delicious beignets (powdered sugar mini doughnuts). As a matter of fact, Mardi Gras is still on the agenda for the two weeks before Fat Tuesday with the fabulous floats that were not affected by hurricane Katrina and are being readied for the biggest (more than fifty) and best parades. Additionally, millions of people were affected by hurricane Wilma from coast to coast in southern Florida. Palatial homes in upscale Naples and Palm Beach were not spared from Wilma's wrath. Incidentally, I've not received any word about how Donald Trump's ultra luxurious Mar A Lago weathered the storm. Affluent residents of condos in Boca Point, Boca West and Boca Raton; Delray Beach; Boynton Beach; Palm Beach Gardens; Jupiter and South Beach, Miami, to name just a few of the domiciles that I've visited over the years. Unfortunately, the residents of Dade and Brower Counties were also left scrounging for ice, potable water, and the only available non-perishable canned foods at the Publix super markets. Friends told me that they finally had repairs made from prior hurricanes to find that they had to start all over again. Windows were blown out with all kinds of interior damage, trees were uprooted, fences were knocked down, refrigerators and freezers were non-functioning because of lack of power, destroying many perishables. The snow birds planning their annual Florida stays were caught with the dilemma of whether to change their flights, ship their cars and return to their winter abodes with power shortages, closed country dining clubs, golf fairways and restaurants, gasoline rationing and all the comforts of their suburban homes. Going on a cruise was the solution for some acquaintances of mine who had returned to their winter home in Ft. Lauderdale By The Sea. They could not endure a repeat experience of last year's storms with inadequate temporary living quarters, overcrowded hotels, lack of air conditioning, long lines for food shopping instead of their spacious condo on the beach with a gorgeous ocean view. The harbors reopened almost immediately after the winds and rain subsided for the cruise lines. They found a ship that was leaving from Ft. Lauderdale, at a reasonable fare and great accommodations. They would not have to be concerned with the inconveniences caused by Hurricane Wilma and hopefully, upon their return, the lights would come on again in Florida. I was also told that many homes in the Lower Keys including the exquisite tropical Paradise of Little Palm Island off Key Largo and Key West were uninhabitable because of the lack of power. Some were submerged in more than four-feet of salt water that also destroyed thousands of motor vehicles by harming the electrical systems beyond repair. It is difficult for me to accept the devastation caused by Wilma to some of my favorite destinations. I do hope that all the snowbirds will be able to return to their winter nests before the weather turns frosty up north.Copyright by Marcia AbramsonE-mail:mascribe@verizon.net
