...

I have been down in Morales by Puerto Barrios, volunteering time and our boats to help with rescue and handing out of supplies. The situation is no longer dangerous it is just one of providing food and water and clothes etc. to the people who lost everything and to clean up. I will be writing a report to the Government about the rescue mission I was on with the Guatemalan Navy and making a web page for people to see the pictures too. I'll let you know when it is done.

I flew over Quirigua on my way down to Puerto Barrios Monday November 2. The section where the steleas are located was flooded but the temple and plaza behind the Stealas was not, it obviously was on higher ground and didn't get any water in it. The Mayas always had their temples on the highest ground. On the Passion river in the Peten, all the villages now are on higher ground and they are the ones that find evidence of past Maya occupation. Makes me wonder if a "Mitch" hit the Mayas and how they would have handled the rescue etc... But then, the rivers over 1200 years ago were not so filled with silt as they are now thus might not have run with such a fury. The Motagua River for example just 500 years ago when the Spanish came was navigable by the Spanish Galleons. I'm not certain what their draft is but it's got to be at least 30 feet! That's a lot of silt acumulation in 500 yrs!

Most of the shots you see on the news are from Honduras, the worst hit. And yeah they are scary. Water is such a powerful element. I have known that for years and respect it's power. Many people do not have experience with water and what it can do and did not evacuatate from their houses as they didn't want to lose their things to robbers. Unfortunately, some did lose their lives, but some where able to be saved the next day. I am sending a flood joke at the bottom of this mail. We Humans need humor in the face of catastophes, just to carry on. When I was in Mexico for the earthquake in 1983, it was amazing the amount of jokes the Mexican started inventing. Aren't humans peculiar?

Fortunately, Guatemala was not as hard hit as Honduras and this country is not as poor as Honduras. This government is sending planes and helicopters everywhere and besides Caminos, the government organization in charge of road building, they are Hiring private land mover companies to fix the roads. They have already cleared the river and debris that was blocking the road to Mixco. The road will be fixed in less than two weeks. To go to Antigua one needs to pass by San Cristobal. Long lines right now but easily passible. The road access to the Atlantic will be passable by the end of November and probably earlier. The road to Panajachel and Chichicatenango is cleaned up and passable. Two days ago their was still three landslides cutting off Panajachel and Solola. The road to Coban is still closed. It had over 36 landslides, it will be open by Monday. The roads to the Pacific coast are closed now and we don't know yet the extent of the damage. You can get to some areas by the highland route. I will try and find out about the road to Copan, Honduras. But then you could always fly with Jungle Flying into Copan.

Fortunately in Guatemala, the bridges themselves are not gone but the access to the bridges have been washed away. It is a lot easier, quicker and less expensive to rebuild a road than to rebuild an entire bridge. On the atlantic coast three bridges are unpassable. As I said earlier, this government is really moving to repair and provide assistance. It is quite impressive. Arzu, will be known for his fast action in the face of despair. A lot better than what we can say, Clinton will be known for!!!

Thanks again for your concern,

Tammy Ridenour

Mitch Joke:
An evacuation team comes to help a family evacuate their house. The family is very religious and they refuse to move. The say "No, We have faith in God, God will save us"

The river keeps rising and they move themselves and things to the second floor. A canoe comes along and the man yells to the family. "Come into the Canoe. Leave your things, but save yourself and your children" The say "No, We have faith in God, God will save us"

The river keeps rising and they move onto the roof. A helicopter comes along and the crew yells to the family. "Grab a hold of the hook. Don't be afraid, we will bring you and your family to safety." The say "No, We have faith in God, God will save us"

The river keeps rising and they all drown. They go to heaven and the father demands to talk with Saint Peter. He says. "Peter, we have such faith in you and God, why did you abandon us?"

"Excuse me, What is your name?"

He types in Jose Martinez into the computer and a list pops onto the screen.

"Oh, yes, we sent in an evacuation team, a canoe and a helicopter. What do you want, a miracle?"

          IT'S A JUNGLE OUT THERE AND WE FLOAT RIGHT THROUGH IT !!

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