The night sky was lighted up for hours.
BOOM - BOOM - BOOM ---- C-R-A-S-H!
I had visions of Bob Kjorlein's Cloisters being blown apart. There was not a second between lightening flashes and thunder burst; it was hard to tell which one caused the other. This seemed to last for hours but it was hard to judge and the power went on and off as frequently as TV commercials.
Reaper's landing field is now a lake and the road from Coco Loco's bar to the bridge is underwater. I do not see any downed trees but then we have nothing but palms here - no hardwoods.
My phone has been out for five days and with all the other problems I see no repair soon. Now this morning the internet is down (I'll post this when it comes up.) At least the TV is working and I can get the weather channel. Arthur is taking a vacation directly over Belize and is expected to stay a few more days.
I'm so very happy that I put in my hurricane supplies the day before the downpour started.
Rudy came by yesterday with two of his workmen to make sure I was OK. Without power at the workshop they can not work* so were headed north to get the Bar-B-Q setup to take back across the bridge to cook the mess of fish that were thawing in the freezer. I suggested that rather than do that they come to my condo and use the oven and we could have a party. I had him call Steve up at the northern house and invite him to bring his family and join us.
Naturally, as soon as the guys drove off the power went out. An hour later everyone converged on the condo at the same time - arms loaded with enough food to last all day. They had met Sergeant Myles on the road and invited him and his lady friend. Fortunately I have a propane gas grill and even had propane. Rudy, always the master chef cooked up a meal to rival any restaurant on the island.
Appetizers' were fresh sour sap fruit and shrimp and mushroom soup over rice.
Two main courses were served; grilled chicken heavily basted in Rudy's secret sauce and stuffed baked fish. Many, many fish! Rudy's stuffing is ingenious and delicious.
I have two oil lamps for light but the wind was too strong for them to stay lighted. We kept the entry door at the top of the stairs open in order to get fresh air. This created a real wind tunnel. The power came back on just as we sat down to eat and continued through the clean up. I just love parties here! Back in California I was always left with a mess to clean up. Here my place is left cleaner than when the guests arrived.
I like the old saying "When handed lemons make lemonade." How about "When the power goes out seize the power and have a party?"
* These storms are an incontinence for many of us but a hardship for many other. Without power the work sites are closed down and these folks do not get paid when they do not work. Help them when you can.
AmbergrisCaye.com 
