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Begin forwarded message:
From: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Date: February 10, 2018 at 10:43:09 AM AST
To: Jane boyce <janeboyce@live.com>
Subject: Update 15
Puerto Rico StrongRoger again...
Many people that we have talked with say, "I am OK."
They appear to be fine and only after talking with them and getting more information do we realize that there is much about their life now that challenges them every day.
Luis goes to town every day to buy gasoline for his generator spending money on fuel so that he can run his refrigerator for a few hours and have some light in the evening.
Lourdes lost her job when her company relocated due to the lack of reliable internet service. Now she spends more time with her kids but is anxious to start earning money again.
Alicia says that she doesn't even hear the noisy generators anymore...they have become part of her "normal" day.
Dodging power lines and poles in the street is normal.
Waiting in line for gas.
Negotiating busy intersections without working traffic signals.
Driving to several stores to find an item, then still not finding it.
Internet service works ok... sometimes!
Cell phones might work...maybe will work better tomorrow?
Still...everyone says they are OK. And they are OK. They have adjusted to a new "normal".
There are strong bonds here. Many have the love and emotional support of numerous family members living very close by (often several on the same street).
A common greeting consists of a hug along with a kiss on the cheek...even for someone who is being introduced for the first time as a friend of a friend.
The people are very proud of their ability to withstand Hurricane Maria and many are too proud to ask for any help. They see others with far greater needs than their own. Being Puerto Rican and choosing to live here appears to mean that you must do what needs to be done without complaint...even after a devastating Hurricane.
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