Without a doubt The
Weather seems to be the subject most talked about right now. Much of North America is experiencing a most
extreme winter. While we have escaped
that bitter cold, and unending snow (woohoo!) here in Roatan we are also able to
join the weather conversation. The weather outside is rotten.
I know what you’re thinking….. And, we aren’t complaining –
really! But, it just keeps raining! This year it has been particularly
wet. One weather forecaster recorded 110
inches of rain (that would be 2800 mm – 2.8 meters!) in 2017. As a comparison, in Southwestern Ontario, we
get about 35 inches (882 mm) precipitation annually.
As I write about rainy season in Roatan, I want to say first
that it’s not the same as hurricane season which can be extremely destructive
as was experienced on several islands in the western Caribbean this year. Rainy season is that – a season of rain. It doesn’t rain every day, but in the 10 days
we’ve been here, we’ve had one day of sun, and two half days sort of. The rest of the days have been cloudy and
rainy. Today it has rained more than it hasn’t. The forecasters don’t have to
work too hard for the next two weeks – it’s going to be about the same.
The season can be short or long. This year the rains began
in mid-October and continue. There can
be a week of sun, but the default weather event is rain. Farewell to rainy
season is usually sometime in mid-February. The volume of wet stuff also varies
year to year. Last year rainy season started later, and the amount of rain was
significantly less. (approx. 80 inches). The good news for this year? The vegetation has been well-watered, and the
cisterns are full (to overflowing).
When I’m out and about people are surprised when I say I
will come to visit if it doesn’t rain. They don’t understand being limited by
rain. People around here mostly like rainy season! It is finally cool, the sun isn’t beating on them from directly overhead, and there is usually a refreshing breeze. As you’ve
already surmised – we do not like rainy season. We North Americans are
conditioned to think a good day includes sunshine. (Have you ever seen a “Have a Good Day” image
with clouds and rain????) While the
sound of rain on the roof can be soothing at night, or I can reflect on the
cleansing that the earth is receiving, by morning that same rain makes me want
to pull the covers over my head and go back to sleep. Sunshine causes me to
want to be active – rain? Not so much.
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| A plus with all the rain? There is lots of clear water pouring over the rocks perfect for washing clothing. |
For me, I am surprised when people do not dislike the rain. It causes many difficulties. I
have been asking people here how the rain is affecting them. Some are reporting leaks in the roof
resulting wet bedding or clothes. One
friend tells us she has a pile of wet laundry that will not dry because her
clothesline is not sheltered. Many here hang their laundry in the open area
under their house, but right now things just don’t dry. One person told me she hangs things that she
needs on the coils on her refrigerator. While
we try to use the clothesline most of the time,
I am very thankful for a dryer
at this time.
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| Playing in the muddy puddles - it's universal! |
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| The road just before Cruz' house - choose your path. |
The rain causes challenges for those trying to get around in
the Colonias. The rain makes the roads that are concrete-paved extremely
slippery especially when they get covered in mud. The roads that are not paved
have deep ruts carved in them by the water or by cars and trucks as they bounce
through the mud. Even walking becomes a
challenge. A few years ago one of our kids slipped and fell and broke his leg going down a
slippery hill. Happily he was up and
going by school time!
There are times that the volume of rain is more than a
nuisance. Twice this season, excessive rainfall pouring down the hills has
caused terrible flooding as the water rushes to get to the ocean. Roads have
become rivers with one to two feet of water. School was closed for three rain
days. The airport was closed due to flooding and many homes were flooded. The power company was overwhelmed with calls of trees that had slipped down the hills pulling wiring and poles with them. Power (and internet - gasp!) went out. It was discouraging to watch houses being
built near the dried stream bed behind our house last August. These people now have a gurgling stream just
outside their windows. Inside?
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| Our road. |
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| Our very own water feature. |
For us? The biggest nuisance
is that our road is pretty well impassable.
We have an interesting water feature happening on the road just down the
hill. Beyond that is the sinkhole, and
then there’s the bare rocks.
The other frustration is that we are mostly property-bound. It was great to get out visiting on the day
of sun and surprising how quickly the ground was drying – until it rained the
next day. A few years ago I was up a hill visiting, and we had a surprise dump
of water. I provided much entertainment
for people watching from their houses as I cautiously navigated the natural
slip-and-slide. I don’t want to repeat that little drama so I am staying home.
What is most amazing to me?
And maybe this happens to you too…..?
I wish for days where I’m not busy, and when I can just be without going
out to meet obligations or have obligations come to the door. Then, when that happens – I/maybe you? – feel
like I’m caged and just want to be out.
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| Ladies' Bible Study Tuesday. Look at all who walked to the church - in the rain. |
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