Dark for Ages

I am writing this under the glow of a candle because we have, yet again, lost power. Okay, technically I am writing this under the glow of the computer screen but the thought of writing something by hand and then transposing it seems far too archaic, even despite the near-biblical proportions of the last few days.
It is rain here. It has stopped ‘raining’ and has become a location all its own, similar to when someone says, “Hi, we’re in Delaware” I can say that right now I am in Rain, Guatemala. It has poured, non stop, for three days straight. I know that we are not quite at the defined biblical duration, but I could easily see this storm being mentioned at least in those brief brochures that Jehovah’s witnesses hand out. The roads are all flooded and the catch basins look like someone mixed up millions of litres of chocolate milk and then possessed the batch with the devil. We have been without power for 4 hours this instance, and I have no idea how long we’ll be without it.
The good news:
- we have become accustomed to being without electricity and, besides my computer, only use it for lighting. Considering we both have decent flashlights, we are able to cope.
- I am writing this on a Saturday afternoon, which would typically be impossible because my computer is not allowed into the forest and we usually venture out into nature from Saturday morning to Wednesday afternoon. Last Monday, while under the tarps in the rainy forest, we proposed to the staff a change in schedule that would see us skip the current forest trip in order to see more of the sights around the Lake, which are difficult to see within the pre-ordained itinerary. With some cajoling of their boss (the ‘visionary’ of this expedition) the staff was able to persuade Mark that we should forego the forest, hence I have a tin roof over my head and I am able to write
- If I have posted this it is because power has been restored to the town and to the internet sites. There’s a strange conflux of time going on as I write this sentence now.
- We have also avoided some of the other Acts of God that have besieged the area...
Near Antigua, the old capital city of Guatemala, there is an active volcano. This volcano typically emits a constant volcanic plume and cascading lava flow which gave geologists some assurance that pressure build-up is within control and an eruption is less likely. This volcano is a popular tourist attraction and we had planned to walk up its slopes when we toured the area nearer the end of June. We have been told that he lava flow, especially while aglow at night, is stunning. Apparently, though, earlier in the week there were signs that something was amiss with the volcano and these warning signs prompted officials to close the paths leading up to and down the volcano. Everyone’s fears were realized on Thursday when Volcano Pacaya did erupt. We have had scarce reports up to now (I have had limited internet access since Thursday, and also, the no-power thing) but the last we heard they feared 65 people were dead. I do not wish to make light of this tradegy, but I am glad that the eruption was somewhat foreseen and I can only assume that lives were saved. I also hope, though, that they reopen the paths before we get there because I really wanted to see this lava flow. I am kidding mom(s).
I gave a link to the weather forecast for the area and I hope, by the time you click on it, that the rain has moved on. When I look at the forecast all I can see is storms and thunderstorms. If, when you look at it, there is still no sign of clear skies, then I believe we can both agree that this is the beginning of the 2012 prophecy and we are likely to be either washed away as sinners or gathered up amongst God’s chosen people and asked to board Noa’s (it’s way hipper without the H, and it’s more 21st century) catamaran. [Sidenote: please don’t comment pointing out that Noah collected animals, because I know that. If you’re here looking for accuracy in fables (oxymoron (triple parenthesis’ score!)) then you have ventured onto the wrong blog.]
Long story short – Robyn and I are wet but we’re fine. At least we’re not in the forest through all this.