Thursday, January 9, 2020

Puerto Rico: Tourists on God's Cursed Island?

Lorri and our daughter Reagan on break from the University of Iowa

January is supposed to be a "safe" month in Puerto Rico. The potential dangers of hurricane season loom in the rearview mirror of the recent past, and a collective sigh of relief is exhaled on the island as the post Christmas tourists and snow birds arrive en mass from the States to enjoy the warm weather and relax on the beaches. 



We had heard there had been mild rumblings around the island, but hearing about seismic activity when you can't feel it is like having drinks at an ocean bar and not being able to taste the rum. It is almost meaningless until you get one with some kick that you can taste for yourself. 



In the days leading up to the big one, we heard about more and more quakes. The day before, there was a large one that was assumed to be the peak of all the activity. We read there had been over a thousand quakes detected by seismologists in recent days. But, not having felt anything, and never having experienced anything of the sort, we went to bed same as always without really giving it much thought.  



At shortly after 4:20am, I awoke to the bed shaking violently. Not simply moving back and forth, but as if several strong men had hold of the corners and were shoving it back and forth as hard and fast as they possibly could. It actually took me a second lying there to realize what was happening. It was the loud, low rumbling of the entire earth that alerted my half awakened mind to what it was. 



The noise is difficult to describe. Not because it is so loud. Or because it is so unique. It is neither of those things in and of itself. It is low, as if you were sitting very near a passing train, or the heavy sort of low rumbling sound you might get from the roar of a passing tornado when you're huddled in a basement in Iowa, except not nearly as loud. But... the difference is... this low rumbling was everywhere all at once. It were as if the entire earth were submerged in water screaming at the top of her lungs, overpoweringly loud, and yet strangely quiet above ground, all at the same moment, as only the echoes of the rumbles betrayed the silence of the perfect night sky.    



Overwhelmed by the sound of it, I nearly forgot that the earth was moving beneath my feet. It was really only when we met up with Reagan and ran outside and I had turned back to see the chandelier that I "remembered" it. It looked as if we were upon a ship in heavy seas, and another wave might knock it up into the ceiling and bust a light. 



As curiously and unceremoniously as it had arrived, it stopped, and the rumbling sound simply faded until the night was completely silent. Unsure quite what to expect next, we sat outside and watched as the line of cars drove by our house up from the coast in the next few minutes. They were fleeing the potential tsunami wave that might follow such earthly rumblings, up into the hills beyond our house. Even as it was just ceasing to rumble, the headlights were rounding the bend. It took us a few minutes and a few dozen cars to figure out what they were all doing, but we are on high ground, so eventually we went back inside. 



Believe it or not, we felt nothing else, and surprisingly (or foolishly), managed to get back to sleep. That's the thing about earthquakes. You simply cannot know what to do. You can get one in five minutes, or five hundred years. No one really knows. We were awoken again after 7am by the larger one. We were out of bed and out the door much faster that time. 



Pictures stolen from the internet. We have no damage and won't be looky loos.


After that the island lost power. Much of the island lost water as well. We ventured out that morning to find lines at the gas stations and ATMs. Grocery stores were either closed while they put everything back on their shelves, or had lines outside of them and only allowing a few customers in at a time to avoid runs and/or riots we guessed. 



Here in Rincon we had electricity back on in about 24 hours (probably because there are a lot of tourists and snow bunnies here and people from the states don't spend money when the power is out). Talking to friends in other places, no one else we know has electricity yet. 



Additionally, our rental house has solar power and a Tesla battery, that our spoiled, stupid American asses still managed to run dry before morning during our one night without power by running every conceivable device, even including intermittent air conditioning, while our neighbors an hour to the south slept outside on mattresses beneath the stars because they were too afraid to back inside their homes while the earth was still rumbling.  



Before you judge us too harshly, we had checked with all of our friends and neighbors and offered shelter and assistance and everyone is fine. We had offered the same to our friends who were sleeping outside or in their car to the south. I share it not out of self loathing, but to make the point that we really are just tourists here on what so many American from the States would assume to be an island cursed by God. 



If you had never been here it would certainly seem to be just that too. Even before the hurricane, there was poverty. Opportunity of almost any kind is such a scarcity here that is traded by power brokers like a commodity or precious metal. Old wooden houses were destroyed or deemed useless by the hurricane, and old concrete houses have been destroyed or deemed useless by the earthquake. 



Most of the island remains without electricity and running water, and no one can say within a day or a month when it will be restored or for how long. Hundreds still sleep outside on the ground or in their cars. Any one of these things could be seen as a curse from God by Americans in the States to our daily lives. Any single one. And no real relief is in sight for these people. 



But here is the thing about Puerto Ricans. Amidst it all, they do not despair. Outside beneath the stars neighbors talk to one another and care for each other. They never stop smiling or laughing. 



There will be want and hunger to be certain as there always is. But there will also be pots with extra beans and rice for sharing, and neighbors who cook too much pork. The poorest churches will be crowded with families adorned in their finest clothes. 



A hundred times over today and tonight, and every day and night, whenever and wherever any two men pass each other carrying instruments, they will stop, and begin to play, and people will start to gather and more musicians will hear the music and come from their houses to join them. The old people with the moonshine stills hidden in the backyards will come with their jars and bottles, and grandparents will dance beneath the stars like they were teenagers again, dancing together for their very first time. They will know no strangers. 

Though their roof may blow away, and their house may flood, and the entire thing collapse atop their car in an earthquake, they will emerge from the rubble, and even before they lament and feel sorry for themselves, they will go to check on their neighbors and see how they are. With nothing but the clothes upon their backs, they count every sunset and sunrise on the ocean, and every night beneath the stars as a blessing. No day is too grim to forego music, art and dance, and there is always cause to celebrate something.



God has not cursed these people. He is in them, and we are only tourists here for a little while.


163 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing your scary adventure. Your wording was quite adequate to the situation and almost poetic at times. It made me sad and it made me smile. Hope you have a safe trip home.

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    1. Home is Rincon for now. But we still call ourselves tourists because we don't yet comprehend the resiliency of the people who lose power and immediately begin to worry about all their neighbors first. It is foreign and new to us, but beautiful and wonderful as well.

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    2. Thank you for honoring the grace and love of Puerto Ricans. God bless you and yours.

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    3. Thank you for those kind words most of us Puerto Ricans learned from our grand parents that neighbors are like family always looking out for each other no matter what the problems are. When I lived in the states for so many years I had to readjust cities are not like small towns where you know most of the people around. Even in the work places people hug and kiss each other in the morning and at night. Since I was raised and worked on the main line i found it strange. I got used to it very quickly. Now I'm a hugger and a kisser it grows on you.
      I hope that everyone who visits Puerto Rico takes back something positive like you have. There are still many Americans who don't know that we are part of the USA. It's taking catastrophic situations to know who we are as a people. Thank you you have touched my heart with your kindness. Rosa

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    4. Thank you for sharing your story during the earthquake. Thank you for offering help to the ones that need it. Thank you for your kind words about puertorricans. Yes, we are good people and after hurricanes and now the earthquake, we will stand stronger than ever. God bless you and I'm happy that you and your family are safe.

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    5. God bless you dear. This is what we are resilience, we will smile in the saddest moments knowing that our neighbors are fine. That is why we proudly said we are Puertorican. Is an honor for us. We really love each other and sing and dance in the worst moment. In God we trust!

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    6. We visited Rincon after the Hurricane; and will stay in Rincon again beginning next week. Mother nature will not stop us from visiting a wonderful community

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  2. This is an amazing and vivid account. Thank you so much Buzz. We're glad you're safe. There's a huge wave of us old folks coming along needing accessible and assisted living, and nursing homes, about which you have some knowledge, I believe. Why not build in Puerto Rico? Good climate, low labor costs (at least until you organize everyone), an economy in need of a boost. That could be a growth industry there. What say you? Suzanne

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    1. Thank you, Suzanne! I am not here organizing any unions or anything else. Not giving any trainings either. The people of the island are teaching us a lot about community and brotherhood though.

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    2. This is a beautiful post about my people. You have capture the essence of being Puerto Rican and why I will return to my island in the next few years. Coincidentally, my family and I returned from Puerto Rico to our home in Davenport, IA last Wednesday.acannot Again, thank you for your kind words.

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  3. Love the way you got to know us! We are all blessed!��

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    1. We love how easy the people of the island have made it for us to get to know them. Over the years we have made friends in almost every community here. It has always been as easy as driving into town and stepping out of the car. It is even easier if you look lost! We have literally had neighbors arguing over who could provide us the best directions and advice in a strange town before. We LOVE the people of Puerto Rico. Thank you for reading Hilda.

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  4. You made me cry, man!

    So many hundreds of families lost their homes... thousands homeless. Thousands more don't want to sleep in their homes, unsure of which house is livable and which isn't. Help is in short or nonexistent order from both PR and US central & federal governments - front lines are people themselves, private organizations and municipal (small, county-style) governments.

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    1. We know. We know people who are still sleeping in their cars or outside, afraid to go back inside, or unable to go into crumbling homes. I believe it will be up to the people to pull together for one another here now, as governments at every level have ceased to work for those most in need any more. Thank you for reading.

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  5. Wow, you made me cry!

    Thank you so much for such kind words for our people. If indeed we are a cursed island I am truly sorry you had to live our day to day struggle. Puerto Rico is a beautiful place but the struggle we live isn't just when the disasters occur, we live them almost on a daily basis. But as you say we always try to make the best out of things and stay positive.

    I felt so identified with this story, because when the earthquake occurred our neighbors joined us and we made a bbq with leftover food from the day before that was a very important festivity here on PR the Three Kings Day. Evryone gathered on my backyard and we shared food played dominoes and listened to music, even if we were scared shitless to go inside the house. We had power that same night, about 14 hours after the quake. I live in Añasco the town right next to were you guys were. So I know all that confusion you guys must of had. But all in all I hope you guys still had a great vacation here! Even thou you experienced the worst earthquake we've had in 102 years! 😂

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    1. We are currently living here on the island, but I call us tourists because we lack the heart of your people who start to plan bbqs as soon as the power goes out. We keep returning here because we love the people. We love to feel even in tiny doses the sense of community and brotherhood that exists. And in times of adversity, like an earthquake, it is more prevalent than ever. There is no curse here. What God gives to Puerto Rico only makes the people stronger.

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  6. Thank you so much for sharing this, and thank you so much for such an amazing and perfect description of my boricua family! Yes, because that’s what we are: a big family! Whether you’re a local or not, if you’re in the island you’re family �� I was there last week, visiting my folks and family. And although I didn’t feel any of the tremors, I got to see the lamps and chandeliers at my parents moving. They were very blessed to not have any damage in their home, not like others who did not have such luck.

    I get mixed emotions hearing mami on the phone like it’s just another day in the island without power. Just talking about what a miracle it was that the images of the saints in the church didn’t break, how our friend Priest was providing water to those sleeping in the town square in a neighboring town, etc. With her typical “don’t worry about us, we’re ok, thank God!” That was her typical response after Hurricane Maria.

    But then knowing the tough conditions of those working hard to get the power in Costa Sur back up and running (my brother works there). God bless those souls, as some of them also lost their homes and may also be sleeping outside.

    Not everyone lives in poverty, but there is a lot of bad construction and low income families in the island. However, as you very well described, Puerto Rico is blessed! And the boricuas live as such. They are one big strong united community. Thanks again for your beautiful description and I’m glad y’all are safe! Oh, and glad you got to see the best side of the islanders 😊🇵🇷❤️

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    1. I feel like we know some of the same people. I still find it almost hard to understand when the man with nothing tells me what a blessing the day is, or the old man up the road shrugs his shoulders to so much suffering and toil as if it is nothing and smiles and speaks of how wonderful life is on the island and good it is only to be alive, and by the way, would you like some bananas, and I have an old book you might like, and... for us with our lifestyles of wanton waste in the States it is surreal and almost unimaginable that there exist people anywhere who don't want more of everything all the time, and find joy in simple pleasures and friendship and the act of being alive and sharing moments of that life with others. The entire world could use so many more of your mami's in it right now, I think, everywhere, reminding all of us, that miracles still exist. Thank you for reading and sharing your story. I get it.

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  7. "God has not cursed these people, He is in them"...this made me cry! Just today I was talking to my sister and we were saying how hard the past years have been for our island (fiscal crisis, hurricanes, etc and now earthquakes) but as I can tell by reading your blog, you can see that Puerto Ricans are resilient and a very special kind of people. God bless you and your family!

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    1. We know of no other community who has so much reason to grieve, but finds so much reason to celebrate life. Being among your people reminds us that every day truly is blessing. Thank you for reading.

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    2. Hi
      We need to have people like yourselves share their experience so that people around the world no about the resilience, faith in God and Goodwill of our people. Thank you and God bless

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  8. OMG! As a puertorrican I thank you for such a beautiful way to describe my people. There is NO place like home as Dorothy said. No matter how hard the quest you can always rely on kindness. God bless you

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    1. Thank you for reading. Although we call this place home at the moment, it is not our home. We are strangers here. But so many people have done so much to make us feel so welcome. We will always love the people here and the sense of community they create. It is unlike any other place we have ever known.

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  9. Thank you for describing the soul of my people

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    1. Thank you for reading Roxana. My words were a poor attempt to capture what cannot be put into words. But know that we love the people of Puerto Rico, and we have become better people for knowing them.

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  10. Wow! Amazing article. Thank you for taking the time to “understand” us and our spirit; spirit that so few tourists get to see. The ones who do chose to make their home here and stay. We need more people like you to spread the word. We will not be broken and tomorrow the sun will still rise. So will we. Thank you and please come back!

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    1. Milly, we have been coming to Puerto Rico for several years... because of the people. They continue to teach us how to strive to be better citizens of the world and better neighbors wherever in the world we go. Thank you for reading.

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    2. Yes, Milly! Same thing I wrote in my reply below: more people in the mainland need to visit and see it for themselves so they can tell others to not believe people who think that Puerto Ricans are any other than kind and caring people. Bad apples? Yes, of course. Everywhere you go, you will find those, unfortunately. But the fact remains that most people on the island are just like Lorri describes!

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  11. Nice article about our /your experience
    Best Regards
    Luigi

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  12. I am a Puerto Rican, living in the main land as many people refer to. I was there the week before Christmas on a short visit to the family and your writing just made me a bit teary. I called after the second earthquake and could hear the fear in my mom's voice, which distroyed my heart. As you say, I have never met stronger people than Puerto Ricans. Hope you enjoyed your visit and that the earthquakes don't scare you away. Thank you for such beautiful words.

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    1. Thank you. We are not afraid. We are among friends here.

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  13. That's the way we were, are & will...Everybody WELCOME TO PARADISE..

    Gracias y los ESPERAMOS SIEMPRE👍

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  14. I completely agree, thank you for sharing this. I moved here from Iowa and absolutely love this place and the people even more. Resilient, warm-hearted, beautiful people. They carry joy wherever they go. I have made some lifelong friends here. I pray that God will bless this Island and people. 🇵🇷🙏🏻

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    1. Jennifer, Lorri would love to meet another Iowa fan here on the island. She was very sad watching her beloved Hawkeyes at the beach bar by herself this winter. And yes...the people are not so different from ours back home a generation or two removed I think. Sort of reminds me of family gatherings back when all of our own old people were still alive. The sense of community here is wonderful and we are grateful to get to be a small part of it.

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  15. That was absolutely beautiful! Thank you for sharing your experience of the island, people, culture and that horrible earthquake. Thank you for seeing and sharing the resilience of the Puerto Rican People ❤️
    I’m glad you and your family were safe.

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    1. Thank you for the response Melissa. We are so happy you enjoyed it.

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  16. I wish You would have a better title for this.

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    1. I'm sorry if the title offended you, Madeline. It was phrased as a question to make a point about the resiliency of the people here and that anywhere else, so many (or just one of the) unfortunate circumstances would be considered a curse of some kind.

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    2. But also... if you title something "the incredible people of Puerto Rico" it wouldn't have 10,000 hits right now either. So there is that. Thank you for reading it.

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  17. I must tell you as a puertorrican living in the island and living through all the bad luck we had in the last 3 years, I have to agree with mist of the comments in this blog. You really put into words what we have always feel in our hearts of the way our people us. We are very happy people and we loved when tourist comes to the island and gave great experience here.

    You nade me feel awesome about being puertorrican. Loved your post and it comes t a great time!

    Again thank you so much for the way you described you experience here in my lovely Puerto Rico!!!

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    1. Eduardo, we have never come to any part of this island without leaving a piece of heart behind, and making new friends. Everywhere we go, we find open arms in communities. There are lessons to be learned for the entire world here.

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  18. Wow! Thank you for this words Words that show us how bless we are as Puerto Ricans. We are family, and treat our visitors like one of us. Even if you live in Rincon, just keep in mind that if you decided to make this Island your home, you are part of us! God bless you!

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    1. Thank you so much for saying so. We feel truly blessed to have been made to feel so welcomed by so many good people here.

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    2. If I have the blessing of meeting you in person I'll give you a hug!

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  19. Amazing read! Thank you so much for these amazing words about my people! ������

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    1. Caro, thank you so much. We are overwhelmed this morning that so many people have found joy in our words.

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  20. I currently live in Iowa but my heart and soul are in my island, in my beaches and my family , friends and people. Thank you for describing us with those beautiful words. All my family is in the island and this has been a complete heart ache to see what’s going on and not be over there with my family. But we Puerto Rican’s our mamas should ya since little how to be resilient, proud of our roots, help u neighbors when in need. And that’s how we all are.

    Once again thank u for ur beautiful words. God bless u and ur family

    Bendiciones

    ��������

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    1. Josselyn, All our family is in Iowa! Funny thing is...we started this blog with the simple goal of hoping to show our friends and neighbors and family back in Iowa and the states why we love this island so much, and what makes the people here so special to us. And please ease your aching heart. People here are taking care of one another like always. And when you worry about someone, they will only smile and shake their heads and talk of someone even less fortunate than they are, and how they are doing fine, and what a blessing the day is.

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  21. I'm a puertorrican resident of San Juan and just want to tell you how much I enjoyed your story. I was so impressed by your eloquence and perfect description of the details of your experience but above all, for your beautiful words about our people and our resiliency, the way we help each other and react upon adversity .. but your most beautiful words were "God is in them..." I got emotional! Thanks so much for sharing your story with the whole world. God gave you the gift of writing and I hope you realize that..God Bless you!!

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    1. Ivette, thank you so much for your kind words. It is humbling that so many people have been so moved by my words. I do feel truly blessed on this day. Believe me. Thank you. -Buzz-

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  22. I just read your blog entry and felt like crying and smiling at the same time. In fact, I did.

    Born and raised in Puerto Rico, but away now (elsewhere in the Caribbean,) I was not there for this, but have been following it all up with family and friends on the island, almost with sleep deprivation. And it has broken my heart to see what people are going through, especially in the Southwest, which has endured the largest damage, by far (Guayanilla, Guánica, Yauco, Ponce, etc). But it also made me smile, because you held a mirror to the people I know and love: THIS is who we are, and you captured that essence in words beautifully.

    THANK YOU, and do know that your neighbors in Rincón will certainly be watching over you!

    Puerto Ricans are yet to be discovered by the average American on the mainland! Thank you for your contribution to that, and ENJOY our gorgeous island! All the best.

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    1. TFT, thank you so much for your kind words. And yes... our hearts are full for our Puerto Rican neighbors who watch over us. When the power went out, we went to check on the 80 year old man up the street and he waved away our concerns, but made sure to remind us that he was a retired mechanic and we should call him if we ever have any car trouble and he will come and help up right away. Or the old woman who doesn't drink, but procured the pitorro to make coquito special just so we would have some for the holidays (we did not tell her that two other families had also given us some). The extent to which good people embrace you here and take you in as their own fills our heart with so much LOVE. We rented a big house for the winter and are trying to get as many people to come here as possible from the States to show them. That, we believe, is how best to change the world we live in. One person at a time... showing them that humanity is something greater than we have reduced it to in our news or our politics. Thank you. -Buzz

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    2. You make my heart sing, you two. THANK YOU for not backing off of Puerto Rico. Plus the island welcomes you, as you yourselves are witnessing! No matter what the political atmosphere is like (local or federal) Puerto Ricans are, in the most part, the most hospitable people on Earth. And I have resided in many places throughout my life to vow for these words.

      ENJOY and THANK YOU for your wonderful posts.

      Big PR hugs!

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  23. Thank you for sharing your experience and Sharing your worlds. Tears of joy run down my face knowing how amazing we are even without realizing it and reading it from the eyes of "a tourist" although is home for you now. Tears also run down my face for how hopeless one feel not being able to help everyone in need. I'm from the south, and its devastating seeing kids face... and seeing there eyes shed tears while wondering ng g what would be of them now.

    We will rise from this just as we have raised from many other disasters. God has always shine that light on us. Together, we that unity seen across the island, regardless if we know or not not he/she next to us, we will rise in together in Gods Name. AMEN!

    Thanks for your words and for sharing!

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    1. Diri, I can't begin to imagine how it is for you. Our hearts go out to you. Please email us if there is somehow we can help. I know there are a lot of people in the Rincon area who would do more if they knew what exactly was needed there right now. buzzdmalone@gmail.com

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  24. Thank you for your eloquent and accurate description of what happened. I live in San Juan. I didn't feel the earthquake as strong as you did, nothing happened to my house and the only consequence for me was losing power...but I have a generator. I've seen the visuals on TV and the photos posted on Facebook. It breaks my heart and makes me feel guilty for being so lucky. You are right, we have suffered a lot in many ways but your description and recognition of our resilience and will to live every day really touched me. Many times we don't realize how amazing we can be because that's normal to us. Thank you for reminding us and for letting the world know our true nature. You are one of us now and I'm glad to have you here. Stay safe.

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    1. Annabel, thank you so much for those kind words. We have traveled the island for many years and have been welcomed by so many with open arms as lost relatives. YOU are amazing. We are not Puerto Ricans. We do not suffer with so much dignity. We will always be tourists here, I think. But it does so much for our soul to simply be allowed to experience the sense of community and family in even very small ways every once in a while. We take that with us wherever we go, and try to be better members of the human family because of it. Thank you.

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    2. Annabel, I loved your comment. It is amazing, isn't it, the resilience and power of our people? Super proud to be puertorriqueña. ¡Súper orgullo!

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  25. Thanks for sharing and let the world know the true colors of my Island, our great people is our stronger asset. God is always with us! that’s why we share him with everyone as we do even in the most hard and difficult times. Blessings!

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    1. Blessing to you, Yan. We are blessed to know the people here.

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  26. I cried at this. You see us, you saw beneath our skin what we are as people. Thank you for sharing. Maybe it was a scary experience but at the same time it was an opportunity to see who we are in moments of difficulty.

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  27. You're an excellent writer, thabks for telling your story.

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  28. Simply beautiful. May you guys live in eternal joy and blessings. Good vibes, and keep spreading the sunshine wherever you guys travel, the world can use some positive reading as a breath of fresh air.

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  29. This post made me ugly cry so hard. Your words are beautiful.

    My husband and myself are Puerto Ricans living stateside; my family and so many of my friends still live on the island. Maria was one of the greatest nightmare experiences we have had to live through...those stuck on the island couldn’t communicate with the outside world and those of us stateside getting news of the horrors of the storm couldn’t reach our loved ones in it. The months without proper sleep thanks to hot powerless nights, the stress of trying to drive anywhere without the safety of working traffic lights, the contaminated water because the water plants weren’t working, the struggle of trying to live abnormally in what were now true third world conditions of the worst kind...nearly killed my mother. It took me 3 months of arguing before I could convince her to come stateside to take a break with us. It took 2 weeks of rest and food to get her looking halfway human again before I had to send her back to PR. Thankfully electricity had been restored at her house by then.

    When she lost power after the earthquake, she started crying hysterically...I just about lost it. There is no greater feeling of helplessness than not being able to save your family in times like that. She refuses to leave PR. Many of us are like the coqui: take us out of the island and we die. We’d rather struggle there than risk struggling anywhere else, because it’s PR. You have captured that so accurately with your words here. <3 You absolutely nailed it.

    She later texted me stories of the fun her and the rest of my family had playing board games in the dark. Thankfully she had electricity within 48 hours.

    I discovered your post because it is being shared by Puerto Ricans on social media: a high school friend of mine posted it on Facebook and we’ve all picked it up and further shared it...it’s taken off like wildfire among the people I know...because we are so very touched by the fact that you SEE us, you really really SEE us. And I wish so many Americans could see us the way you do.

    Thank you. Thank you for visiting our island, for taking the time and trouble to get to know us, and for sharing what you are seeing and experiencing with the rest of the world. That automatically makes you one of us, a part of our family. <3

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    1. This was a GREAT reply. Your words are as poignant as the author's. I cried just as hard reading your comments as I did while reading the original blog. May your mami and family stay safe. I am American but have lived here permanently for just over 40 years, and am amazed at the pure "goodness" and strength of the Puerto Rican spirit. I have not been able to quite capture that myself yet, and after enduring the complete loss of my home during Hurricane Maria, subsequent loss of electricity for four months, and now the earthquake, I feel defeated. I am hoping to return stateside later this year, but will certainly take my memories of a beautiful island people with me.

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    2. Thank you so much for this response Barbara. ❤️ I am so sorry you have to leave PR but I definitely understand! My husband and I had been talking about possibly returning to Puerto Rico next year...I miss the island so much, especially with the current anti-Latino environment stateside. I have a blog too...I’ve written about the flip side of the coin: being a Puerto Rican living stateside. My husband and I have been very very fortunate in our adventures but so many of our people struggle when they leave the island, in part because of racism and prejudice from a pretty significant percentage of Americans.

      I really do wish more Americans could see us the way Buzz described us here. ❤️

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    3. Nicole A., Funny thing...most of my adult life has been as a labor, community, and civil rights activist. Part of our reason for coming here was to get a break from the angst of the anti-latino, anti-everything environment in the states. It has been such an amazing and eye opening experience to us here, not only getting to experience what it is like to run into people who hate us for being "gringos", but what it is like to also have people for absolutely no reason welcome us as family, despite all language or color or cultural barriers. We realize as a result that we can and should be doing a lot more back stateside instead of hiding our heads in a sandy beach...even if it is an amazing beautiful perfect beach with perfect sunsets every night. I used to believe that the war will be won in battle. Puerto Rico and Puerto Ricans have shown me that it can only be won through love. Seriously. After a lifetime of activism, I finally get it now.

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    4. You are such beautiful souls, Buzz and Lorri. ¡Quédense en Puerto Rico!! Stay in PR! We need your help in letting others in the mainland know, from your own accounts, especially when funds are in danger of being withheld and funds that have ALREADY been withheld (HUD, Medicare—Hurricane Maria— plus Major Disaster Declaration now, due to the swarm of shakes). PLEASE spread the word. Puerto Rico is suffering, and I am not sure how many more blows it can endure without our elderly and infants paying a very high price once again......

      Nicole: LOVED your comment. Hope your mami is OK!!!

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  30. Thank you for telling the story about the Puerto Rico I know. Full of resilience and strong people that never give up in any situation. I am proud to be a Puertorrican! Thank you for telling every one!!

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  31. interesting article. I disagree with your comment "probably because there are a lot of tourists and snow bunnies here and people from the states don't spend money when the power is out". It sounds very opportunistic. I believe it is because the home owners invest more into construction and upgrades, not because of a greed for tourist dollars.

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  32. As I read the title, I thought what are they talking about, are they nuts? But just held my breath and kept on reading as your accounts kept me interested.
    I live about 15min drive from were your at, in the Bay area of Mayaguez, as a USCG veteran im trained to be ready ,but there is no traning for this and the effects it leaves. There are so many people in need as you establish in your wonderfull captivating words. We feel neglected at times buy the federal,state and local governments, even at hard time like now ,the federal government doesn't eliminate the "JONES ACT" Were everything has to come in on a US flaged ship and make it more expensive for us here, they make close to 71 billion dollars and then make us feel like there giving us a hand out, with that being eliminated we can move more our economy and save money as we buy. As a disabled veteran its hard to see so much pain and suffering an cant be able to help like I would love too.I thank you for your love and understanding for our problems and our people. We are at least over 250,000 veterans in P.R.who are in need now more than ever. Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.

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    Replies
    1. THANK YOU and every other Puerto Rican veteran for their service. It has often very been difficult for me to understand how Puerto Ricans so fully embrace their duties as citizen soldiers serving a nation that so often has forsaken them. While I still do not fully understand it, I admire and respect it and make it a point to thank everyone we see here wearing their Veteran hat with so much pride. Thank you, thank you, thank you. And yes... I (Buzz) have read 'The War Against All Puerto Ricans' and am familiar with the author's views on the Jones Act and took part in a few stateside campaigns against it several years back.

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  33. Wow,
    Thanks for such a lovely story. You are definitely Puerto Rican’s now! May you continue to enjoy all the beauty of our (your) island and may God continue to bless this island.

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  34. Although your story ended quite well, I think I'm the "odd man out" here. Your title reeks of clickbait strategy and some facts are wrong.

    Even though you speak well of my people, saying we are cursed is just wrong, even if you then twist it to highlight our resilience. It's a low strategy to get people to read your blog, and I absolutely despise that. I mean, it worked because you got me to read it but it made me so mad that I had to leave an "angry comment". Feels like you're taking advantage of the situation to get people to read your blog. I sincerely can't believe all the poeple thanking you for this. Plus, your story reeks of privilege. Most people here can't afford a power generator, let alone a solar power system for the whole house. Anyway, I've seen the same poverty in the mainland US. In fact, I'd say some of us are richer than most "rich people" because we have a big family who loves us and friends and neighbors who we love and care about like our own family.

    As for fact checking, the larger earthquake was at 4:24am at a magnitude of 6.4 on the Richter scale. The second largest one was at 7:18am at a magnitude 5.6 on the Richter scale. As for power, it actually went out during the first big earthquake (not at 7am), apparently as a safety precaution. Unless your rental home had some power left in the batteries, the power in the whole island went out earlier than you mentioned.

    Despite all that, I wish you well. You're away from home and I understand how scary it must have been for a tourist. I hope we don't get any more earthquakes so that the people living next to the epicenter can rebuild their homes and go on with their lives in any way they can. We'll all have PTSD from this event, but at least we can live with that. That man from Ponce who died because a wall fell on him can't say the same. Puerto Rico is beautiful and its people are brave, resilient and strong. God bless you and God bless us all.

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    Replies
    1. I don't make any money from this blog. Our rental home has solar batteries and we are in the country. I am sorry you feel the way you do.

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    2. Hey Buzz & Lorri, as you are probably aware, someone, somehow, always shows up and tries to spoil the "party", but doesn't. Thanks for your kind words, you made my day!

      Delete
    3. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    4. shut up Miggs, go write your own blog. The second one might have felt stronger to them for a bunch of different reasons (ie, they were half awake!)

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  35. AMEN!!! This is beautiful thank you for sharing these kind words!!!

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  36. Replies
    1. Today, for many reasons and people, we are all crying a little I think.

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  37. Being a puertorican living away from her beloved island reading this makes me remember who we are and how we are. Thank you for sharing this and let others know what happend and how the people from the island are. I miss them so much and pray for protection and for my people.

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    Replies
    1. Your people are strong. They are taking care of each other as they always have.

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  38. God has not cursed these people. He is in them...❤️

    Thank you for your kind words...we are a BIG family and we welcome all of you to it ����❤️

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  39. Thank you for cherishing my culture and our people!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We have never been made to feel so welcomed by so many as family.

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  40. Thank you so much for sharing your experience in my Island with all this craziness going on. Beautiful words, I got watery eyes reading your blog about my own people, my own Island. I am so proud to be a puertorrican. I left the Island looking for a better job here in Florida where I am living since 2007. Yes, I found a better quality life but always missing the warm and happy atmosphere I always have in my Island. Thanks again for your kind words to us and God bless you!

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    Replies
    1. You should be proud. But I think the greatest thing is... and why we started writing this blog.. and why we want to share so much of this island with our own people back in the states is... you can take the spirit with you everywhere you go, and the world can benefit. We can all be better neighbors and be so much better at being our brothers keepers... and welcoming strangers. Thank you.

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  41. The people and the island is beautiful! The island is not curse! The World is and how we choose to live and not love.

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  42. Wow! The title hurt a little at first. But then the article brought a tear of pride and warmth to my heart. You got the essence of our people! You are gifted with words and I thank you for this beautiful article. I will share it and save it to read again. Thank you!!

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  43. OMG! I just burst out in tears! Your words trult summarize what we are! Thanks for sharing your experience! ¡Dios te bendiga!

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  44. *Truly
    (That's what happens when you write before having el cafecito!) 😆 🇵🇷

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    Replies
    1. I understand. Believe me. We started this blog to try to make our friends back in the Midwest understand why we love the island so much. We had a few hundred readers. I would have took better care to watch out for typos when Lorri was yelling at me to hurry up as I finished it if I had known it would be shared so much, and read by 80,000 people! :) Sometimes we all could use a little more Cafecito, no?

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  45. Gracias por compartir nuestra historia. Bendiciones!

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  46. On behalf of this humble Puerto Rican, Simplemente, Gracias.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much. We are humbled beyond words that so many have been moved by our words.

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  47. Just got back to Iowa from Puerto Rico (my one true love and home). Thank you sharing such beautiful words about my island. After having felt the earthquakes these last couple of days, now I have a snowstorm to endure in Iowa City.

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    Replies
    1. Wepa!!!!!!

      Lol I live in Iowa to but in Ankeny, there are a lot of us Puerto Rican’s in Iowa

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    2. Bee...we will be sending Reagan back to University of Iowa tomorrow night to get back to work.

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    3. Josselyn...we have a son living in Ankeny studying history as well!

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  48. Thank you for your speaking from your heart. You really touch all of us your description of who we are as Puerto Rican. You describe our personalities and embrace our culture like if you were living with us for long time. Even though you don't see it, you already are one of us. That also happened to many others great artist and journalist like David Bernaud and Tony Croatto, who left his country of Argentina and became one of the best voices of our folklore music.

    That also is true for all of the Puerto Rican out of the country. "We can leave Puerto Rico, but Puerto Rico never leave our hearts".

    More than a curse, l believe that it's a fight between God and the enemy, but I know how much God love this island. At the end, the enemy will win his battles, but God always win his Wars".

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    Replies
    1. Jory, I am not even certain about the good and evil part. There is so much power at work here from nature... where two mighty tectonic plates meet, and the currents of two oceans crash into one another, it is bound to be a place of wonder and power and amazing things to behold. The people are no exception. I don't know how anyone can come here and experience the people and not be forever changed. This place is in our hearts as well and we are grateful for you all for sharing it with us.

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  49. Thank you for your kind words toward us. Better you could not described it. This is what is happening, this is how we react. You're welcome back anytime. Right now this is the best you could do for us, be our voice. Belive it or not we are an American territory! Politicians always forget us, we have nothing, but in nothing we have God, and in him we have everything. Bless you always! From PR.

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    Replies
    1. Neiezell, you have God and each other. You are never alone. The politicians have forsaken almost everyone. Thank you.

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  50. Thank you for sharing you beautiful words about Puerto Rico....thank God my brother is fine...but I know others are in despair... AND YES "PUERTO RICAN'S ARE RESILIENT" and will emerge stronger than ever... see you my island in APRIL...AGUADA here I come.....

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    Replies
    1. The people of Aguada were the ones who originally made us fall is love with this place.

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  51. Beautiful writing, thanks for the kind and lovely words. Honestly I almost cry!

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  52. I cried too, lamenting the day I left the island. So much memories came to my mind while reading this. Thank you so much for sharing.

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  53. Wonderful depiction of my resilient, humble, hopeful and loving boricuas. Gotta love my peeps! Thanks for sharing.

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  54. I am a Puerto Rican living far away in WA state, you made my eyes tear up. You are a wonderful human being.

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    Replies
    1. We aspire to be better people than we have been every day. And so much of that is the result of the kindness we have been shown here as strangers, welcomed like family. Be proud of your people here.

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  55. Thank you for sharing your experience during this difficult time in my dear Island. The ones we lived away thank you for remind us of our way of living, I miss my culture, my people, my beautiful island and our wonderful families, neighbors, friends. You are not a stranger, you are one of us. Be safe you and your family. You are Puerto Rico����♥️♥️

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    Replies
    1. From everything we have learned and seen here, if you are homesick, you need only be kind to a stranger or a neighbor. Puerto Rico can be anywhere you are when you take that with you I think. Thank you.

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  56. Please don't misrepresent my intentions. I'm not missing the point of this writing. I appreciate the nice words written about the island culture of solidarity and friendliness. However, it's hard to digest the reference of Puerto Rico as "God's Cursed Island" when, in fact, one of Puerto Rico's monikers is "La Tierra Bendita", "The Blessed Land/Island". Also, as American citizens, I'm puzzled by the "these people" reference, as if we weren't part of the vast American family. Just as the correct reference to citizens from the States is "mainlanders" or "stateside Americans", the proper way to refer to us, locals, can't be "these people", as if denoting a separate peoples. In the larger scheme of things, it is a positive, generous message and, for that, I join in the collective sense of gratitude.

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  57. Thank you so much for the beautiful depiction of our island and our people. Much appreciated.

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  58. Mi isla... Mi gente... Mi sangre... Puerto Rico ❤️

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  59. Love the way you talk about my island PR. This the best description of puertorricans. That no matter what happens around us, we will continue forward. We are fun and happy people. We help each other. Our traditions are priceless❤️ For us that live outside PR is hard to see whats going on in the Island with our families going through this.

    Thank you for taking your time and write this. ����

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    Replies
    1. Thank you. It has made us better people to spend time here.

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  60. This is one of the most outstanding, articulate and poignant narratives on the current situation in Puerto Rico that I have had the privilege to read. I was close to tears knowing that my native Island is suffering, yet my people continue to show the resilience and cheer for which we are known.

    Thank you for sharing, and God bless you!
    Fred Santana

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    Replies
    1. Yes. Take heart in knowing that your people take care of one another. There are long term problems that will require long term solutions same as everywhere, but in the here and now, the roads are full of cars and trucks loaded with food and supplies for those in need.

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  61. This is beautiful! Yes. These are my Puerto Rican people. Where hospitality lives and genuine concern for neighbors exist. Where a stranger invites you in their home for coffee where your next friendship is just a for away. I'm grateful that you are letting others know if this unique island. And no "Snow" I live on the mainland and that you're of warmth and hospitality does not exist. I've lived in several states and have yet to find it. Good bless you Buzz.

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    Replies
    1. We could all stand to take a little more of the neighborly love and hospitality and spread it wherever we are and wherever we go. It is, I think, the only thing that can change this world we live in now. Thank you.

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  62. You could not said it better! Your words were realistic, melancholic and poetic. Thank you for sharing your experience in Puerto Rico on how Puerto Ricans continue to fight and overcome hard times with God on their side! Also know that you should feel blessed as well! God bless Puerto Rico 🇵🇷

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    Replies
    1. We feel very blessed. We have been forever changed by our time with the people here.

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  63. Thank you for share this experience. God is good all time.

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  64. Thank you for sharing your experience. I do not have words. Just thank you!! Muchas gracias por la forma como expresas esta experiencia.
    💜💜

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    Replies
    1. Those are words enough. Thank you. We are overwhelmed by the love.

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  65. Beautiful story that describe us well.

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  66. Thank you for Sharing your thoughts. It is amazing how some people really open their eyes and see us as we really are. God Bless you and your family and hope you get (got) a safe trip back to your home.

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    Replies
    1. Right now, Puerto Rico is where we call home. And yes...the world everywhere could do so much more to open their eyes to one another. It would change everything.

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  67. Wow, just wow! Thank you so much for being able to describe our spirit and our essence. God bless you and your family.

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  68. Thanks for those beautiful words and sharing your experience. God bless you and your family.

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  69. Thank you for your kind words! I was blessed to be born in beautiful Rincon and live in the states now. Our people have s good heart they help each other in time of need.They have music in their soul they are happy people! They are strong and don't give up. God bless Puerto Rico and blessings to you!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Candy! You are absolutely correct. You may pray for the people of Puerto Rico affected by the earthquake now, but please do not worry about them. They are in good hands and are being taken well care of by their fellow Puerto Ricans! Thank you!

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  70. Carla, thank you so much for your comment. We have been absolutely overwhelmed AGAIN by the kindness and hearts of the people Puerto Rico, both near and far. All of our best. Buzz

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  71. Love your words! Thanks for sharing!! I am glad that you and your family are fine. Gracias!

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    1. Rose, we are better than fine. Thank you for reading and your kind words. All the best!

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    2. WELCOME to Puerto Rico
      HELP EACH OTHERS IS OUR NATURE.
      I AM A NATIVE PUERTORICAN

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  72. Help each others is our nature.
    WELCOME TO PUERTO RICO

    Myrsa Schroeder and I am a native Puertorrican.

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    Replies
    1. Yes you do. And it is such a beautiful community to be a part of. We meet such wonderful people here. Thank you Myrsa.

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Thanks for reading our blog! We look forward to hearing from you all. If you would like to reach us directly, please email Buzz at buzzdmalone@gmail.com and he will get back to you as soon as he sobers up!

Report from Gilead, Puerto Rico

It has been a while since I have posted anything. Before the virus hit here in Puerto Rico we had been busy selling Lorri's art at T...