I was away but now I'm back

[asakiyume]

Wakanomori and I went on a five-day holiday. We thought our phones would work in our destination--our phone plan said they would ... but they didn't! His at least worked for non-calling/texting purposes (e.g., taking photos, looking at internet) if we were in wifi range, but mine had decided to try to do an update and so it was a brick.

That's all right though, our destination was fascinating and fun anyway. It did, however, suffer bunches of earthquakes while we were there, including one that woke us up and kept our room shaking, although we were some 40 miles away, as the crow flies, from the epicenter. That quake was the worst in a century and cut all power everywhere.**

. . . Can you guess our destination?


**Fortunately for us, many people and establishments, having lived through a very, very extended power outage in the recent past, have generators--including the place we were staying and a number of nearby eateries. Many people don't, though, so there's this, or, for something completely based in the locale, there's this. I was grateful that even before the generator came on, the water was still running--near the epicenter, many people are without water.

Eventually I hope to have photos in some form to share, but in the meantime, here's a sketch of our street. I really stink at drawing cars, clearly (click through to see it bigger):

Comments

[minoanmiss]

I'm glad you went to Puerto Rico for several reasons

1) it's a wonderful place
2) you experienced the earthquake situation in real time and are an excellent reporter so we can learn from what you say
3) it's a wonderful place
4) it can use friendly visitors
5) I really hope and trust that despite the earthquakes you had a wonderful time.

I'm glad you're back safely, too.

*hugs you*

[asakiyume]

It was a wonderful, wonderful place full of people who impressed me to pieces by doing their level best in the face of THE CONSTANT EVERYTHING. We stayed in a neighborhood right by the university, walked around a lot in that neighborhood, visited the university's botanical garden, and did a couple of tourist things (visited Old San Juan, biked along a bike path by the coast and through a mangrove forest), and everywhere people were welcoming.

We had some really excellent conversations.

[amaebi]

I'm so glad it was good for you!

ETA: Okay, I realized as I pressed Post that the earth moved for you. Please consider it not-said.

[asakiyume]

Hahaha, too perfect. Pass me my post coital tremorial cigarette.

[amaebi]

Now I picture you looking quizzically at one.

[sartorias]

Whoa! I knew about the quake (I have alert systems on all my tech) but had no idea you were there!

[asakiyume]

I didn't talk about it much before we went. It was everything I could have hoped for (which is a bit strange to say under the circumstances, but...)

[cmcmck]

The quakes made the news here.

Nearest we've ever come was in the Vale of Assisi some years back and we weren't close, although it pretty much flattened the small town of Norcia Umbra twenty miles or so away.

Glad you had a good time!

[asakiyume]

Thanks!

It's amazing that more people weren't hurt--last I heard, there was only one fatality.

[sovay]

. . . Can you guess our destination?

I am glad you had a good time and were (along with the people around you) safe!

I like your sketch.

[asakiyume]

Thank you--yeah, miraculously, only one person died.

[osprey_archer]

I actually kind of love that car drawing! It looks sort of brooding, like its waiting to pounce.

Glad you came through the earthquakes okay!

[asakiyume]

LOL, it just... does not look anything like the vehicle that was there. Plus, I had spaced things wrong--that space actually had *three* cars in it. Blergh. I hope some of Waka's pictures turn out so I can show people what it *really* looked like.

What was unnerving about the one earthquake was how long it went on... and what was unnerving about the aftershocks was how they just kept coming. But when I realized that the epicenter was half the island away, I realized however weird-feeling it was, it wasn't dangerous for us--unlike the unlucky folks actually by the epicenter.

[http://lotuslandfineart.com/velvetrope/]

I'm very glad you both enjoyed the trip and made it back safely!

[asakiyume]

Thank you!

[mallorys_camera]

Hmmm. Apparently Dreamwidth won't embed my YouTube West Side Story link. 🙁

[asakiyume]

I will go watch a clip anyway. Which one shall I watch? Left to my own devices it would probably be "America"

--whoa, um, though it, um... definitely um....

I have lots of reactions, but I'll spare you.

[mallorys_camera]

It was the Original Broadway cast's recording of the song that starts, Puerto Rico, you lovely island...

They actually changed the lyrics of this song in the movie 'cause the original lyrics were so biting and sarcastic. 😃

[ellenmillion]

How exciting! I'm glad everyone was okay!

[asakiyume]

Well, not everyone--it's a big disaster for lots of people, and we thought a lot about them, especially the people in the south, by the epicenter. But you probably meant me and Wakanomori, and yes, we were quite fine--thank you for the good wishes!

[queenoftheskies]

Sounds like a wonderful trip.

I'm thankful you remained safe during the earthquakes!!!

[asakiyume]

Thank you!

[wayfaringwordhack]

Hooray for the wonderful trip despite the trials. I pray that the citizens are receiving help, and my heart hurts for those who lost loved ones.

[asakiyume]

Fortunately, last I heard there had been only one fatality. (Though of course even one fatality is a universe of sorrow to family members)

[wayfaringwordhack]

It sounds so weird to say something like "happy to hear that," but given the circumstances it is not a negligible blessing. -.-

(Though of course even one fatality is a universe of sorrow to family members) Very true