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19 August, 2007

Partyin' Up A Storm

Oh, wait, that's probably the wrong metaphor.

Last evening, we attended the first hurricane party we've ever been too. As a party, it was pretty standard fare, drinks, food, lots of talking. What was different in this case, was the center of attention was the Weather Channel, and the topic of conversation was Dean, the big boy coming into our neighborhood.

Here's some shots from the party. Starting off with our canal residents... Not really. This is a wooden replica of the crocs, done life-size by local craftsmen. All of this is at Jim and Melanie's place - they're one of the folks fronting right on Corozal Bay.
Typical Party Attendee
Here's a photo of some of the people at the party. Some folks weren't there because they were completing preparations.
Some Other Attendees
A couple of the many babes at the party...
Loreta
and Party Hostess Melanie
The conversation flowed throughout the evening.
Darlene of the Oasis and Some Other Attendees
Jim and Melanie have a great pool, built by Jim by hand, using sort of the coil pottery method.
A Refreshing Dip Awaits
Even Has a Grotto
One of Jim and Melanie's Dogs
There was something for young and old alike. Dakota, Earl and Gail's grandson enjoyed the pool. He's also an accomplished poet, sharing with all of us a two pager he had written about his adventures in Belize. Really quite good.

Dakota leaves this morning. He's flying out from Belize City to Houston, so he'll miss the main event here. Probably just as well. Since he was involved in preparations, he probably qualifies for the t-shirt anyway.
Dakota, Youngest Attendee
Here's Francois, a true-blue Frenchman, who lives here. He has a place up near Consejo. He also serves as cook for Darlene for breakfasts at the Oasis.
Francois, Of Course, Surveying the Food
Here's two stalwarts of the community, Gayle and Roger. Gayle has recently been down in Belize City doing a stained glass ceiling art piece for a museum there. Roger, who now lives in Chetumal, Mexico, takes care of the place next door to us, and is also currently watching over a couple of other properties in the area. He's from Texas and is a real live wire.
Gayle and Roger
Here's Dianna and Dave, helping support the conversation by the pool. It was interesting hearing about everyone's hurricane experiences. I guess after this, we won't be rookies any more.
Dianna Enjoying the Conversation
Dave enjoying the soup
Even hi-tech at the party. Besides TV, cellphones were also in evidence. I love the various ring tones that people have.
Brad on His Cell Phone
More Attendees Enjoying the Festivities
Here's Connie, of the Copa Banana Guest House, which she co-owns with husband Greg. Greg, by the way, was prepping boats to be gotten out of the water and stored, so he missed the fun at the party.
Connie, Taking a Break from the Hostelry Business
Talk, talk, talk, talk. All about the hurricane. Well, after all, it's a hurricane party.
More Folks Enjoying the Party
More Folks Enjoying the Party
Now, it's early Monday morning. I just read the latest bulletin from the National Hurricane Center in Miami. Dean could become a category five today! Ouch! And, he keeps drifting southward. It's beginning to look as though we'll really get whacked now.

Here's a portion of the bulletin:

WTNT34 KNHC 200550

TCPAT4

BULLETIN
HURRICANE DEAN INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 28A
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL042007
0200 AM EDT MON AUG 20 2007
...DEAN MOVING AWAY FROM JAMAICA...COULD BECOME A CATEGORY FIVE HURRICANE TODAY...
A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE COAST OF BELIZE AND THE EAST COAST OF THE YUCATAN PENINSULA OF MEXICO FROM BELIZE CITY NORTHWARD TO CANCUN. A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR JAMAICA AND THE CAYMAN ISLANDS. A HURRICANE WARNING MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN
THE NEXT 24 HOURS. PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION.

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