Las Palabras: Creciente - flood water; Tormenta - storm; Rayo - thunderbolt; La Cascada - the waterfall
It was a dark and stormy night, the thunder roared, lightning struck almost every minute, rain poured, the river rose - all last night in Yelapa! Once again we were energized, humbled, exposed to and thrilled by the terrifying bursts of nature.
How could I not feel small and vulnerable when we in Yelapa live so closely to the source of the beauty and unique force unleashed on our small, peaceful haven. I am not only in awe but I am also filled with the energy released by the storm itself. Though we (Desi & I) tuck ourselves into our bed when the going gets rough, I can not help but get up, walk through the rooms of my casita lit only by splotches of lightning, listening to the skies roar and rumble and the river filling and tumbling next to my house. The cascada suddenly sounds nearer and louder and I wonder when the creciente will arrive and how high and wide the river will grow. Tomorrow the playita will have been shifted and changed by the waters rushing to the bay.
Those who know Yelapa understand the closeness we share with the natural elements but it is never more apparent to me than during a storm. I realize just how exposed we all are - my house has no windows to shut, there is no door to the patio, water is beginning to saturate everything and enter the house so I will have a small lake near my doorway before long. Yet, this exposure reassures me that we are a small but integral part of the life force and the experience of never being far from nature is intensified and exhilarating.
Writing as the storm unfolds, huddled with my flashlight and scribbling thoughts and feelings on a blank page in my crossword book, I wonder if my trusty laptop will have enough battery power to enter these words and post. The electricity has been off since before this latest tormenta began hurling its own electric life down to the pueblo. The darkness is so encompassing I think we may never have light again. Surely there has been enough thunder and lightning to knock out power all over the world.
I have been elated by our technology way out here on the edge of the sea and the jungle. But we are quickly reduced to basics once again and the old habits take control unconsciously - everything is covered that can be, buckets of rain water are on hand if our water lines are out, I am dry and cool for the night and I know I will eventually just drift away to sleep no matter how long this storm continues to pour down upon us.
Any damages that may occur while I sleep are unintentional - just nature being nature. Tomorrow I will make my after-storm check to see how we all have fared. Within a few hours most places and things will appear unchanged, with the remarkable exception of la cascada. Piri's restaurante at the cascada is often the site of destruction caused by the waterfall suddenly seeming out of control. His family will be bailing out the excess sand and slush and remarkably ready for business. They deal with the aftermath knowing as we do that the waterfall is once again the glorious jewel of Yelapa!
Another storm is on the way and if patterns hold true we will have several downpours per week until????? Nos vemos cuando nosotros estamos seco! We'll see you when we are dry!
Abrazos. Maria
Just left Yelapa,very nice trip,altho our boat did get bumped while on a buoy!can,t wait to return!!
Miner Art!!AKA Snap-on
Posted by: Nuggettbutemine | March 18, 2011 at 10:05 AM