Saturday, September 30, Day 9
Back in line at the gas station. We have know idea if the gas truck is coming or not. Elaine dropped me off with our five-gallon gas can and is off with the last of our gas to go the horses and to do errands.
A huge part of the gas panic is because people won't let go of their generators. Up until now most gas stations that actually have gas are rationing it, limiting people to $10, $15, or $20 at a time. By the time people get home it's time to turn around to get back in line. Another good reason not to have a generator.
Our biggest need for gas is to get to the horses. That's even more imperative now. The latest rumor is that water will be shut off Monday or Tuesday. The Guajataca Dam which holds Lago Guatajaca which is the main reservoir for the northwest part of the island. The dam was cracked prior to Maria but was "severely compromised" during the hurricane. The rumor is the water will be off for three to four weeks for repair of the dam and the pumping station. Getting enough water for the horses - and getting it to them - is our priority. We have enough water stockpiled for us personally and we capture rainwater as we can for things like flushing toilets. But the horses are a concern.
Sitting in line is a great way to pick up news and rumors. With limited access to other media - newspapers, TV, radio, Internet - for some of us it is the only source of information. For example, we know that carr. 459 is closed between Cuatro Calles (the "four streets") and carr. 110. We thought it was because of the usual downed wires, trees, and poles and that it would eventually be cleared and reopened.
Nope. There is a section of the road that goes down through what the call "the valley." In the low part of the valley the land washed out from under the road. The road is actually still there, hanging over an empty space and a 50-foot drop.
For years this almond tree stood next the gas station on carr. 110, part of a uniquely Puerto Rican tradition. You see the remains of the deck around the tree? People go to the gas station, buy a single beer, and hang out on the deck, sometimes all day or evening. It was kind of a social club. Now the tree is no more.
Maria completely stripped and uprooted this huge, old (no one really knows how how old it is; at least a dozen people have said it was either planted the day they were born or were there when it was planted. Those possible dates vary widely.) tree. But the tradition lives on. Now people sit on the ledge in front of the downed tree.
5:00 pm - Still no gas truck. Elaine just drove up. I said, "She's better have gas or we're so screwed. We're walking home."
Not only did she have gas (from another station), she brought cold beer!
And, good news about the horses.
Andres, one of the brothers who does all of our construction work, lives right next to where the horses are pastured. His middle daughter, Joy, loves horses. In fact, Elaine gave her a ride on Chocolate a few years ago. Now Elaine is training Joy and her younger sister Kate to care for the horses if we can't get there.
Plus, Joy's mom - also Kate - told Elaine they have a lot of water stored in a cistern we can have for the horses.
You have no idea what a relief that is!
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