Friday, October 21^st

6:19 am…we have lost Internet connection. I am not able to email any longer. The wind is howling and the building is leaking and this is only the outer winds, not the hurricane its self. The building is creaking and the doors are being made to bang against the strong winds. Doors have water puddled up at their base and I just don’t see how we’re going to ever withstand this monster, if this is already happening.

Gloria is asleep and I know when she is wakes up, she’ll be frightened. I know, because now, I am. The “officials” will come in to this room in a while with an update. We still have power, or, the generators are keeping us in power. It is loud and I don’t know which is worse right now, the weather or the snoring of men who are still asleep and don’t know what is happening around them. I wish I could send one last email!!!!!

6:27am….the few lights that are still on, just flashed. We may have just lost power and the generators kicked in?? Or, is that just a warning of things to come???

8:30am….the wind is blowing harder, it whistles and makes rumbling sounds on the roof and sides of the convention center like large sheets of metal being wobbled. There is a draft blowing through the hall I’m in and it’s cold in here….the power (or generators) is still on and they have the air conditioning down low….it’s cold in here. Gloria has on a shirt, a sweater, a jacket, and my raincoat under her blanket trying to stay warm. I am fine with my sweater. People are waking up and breakfast is served out in the corridor. It’s amazing that even in this, the staff at this resort is still trying to make this as pleasant as possible and continue to wait on us hand and foot. The doors continue to leak and the ladies room has 4 wastebaskets collecting water as it now drips in a steady run from the ceiling. The sounds coming from all around us are amazing and I believe this will get far worse. I called mom about and hour and half ago and she told me that the hurricane was 50 miles southeast of Cozumel and at 145 mph is a cat. 4.

10:15….We have just lost power, so when this battery dies, I won’t be inputting anymore into the journal. I lit the candle Damon gave me before leaving home, and have warned the man next to me not to let his blanket fall into it, as I have placed it on the floor between us. (If he does, at least we’ll have some entertainment!) The storm sounds like it’s getting closer, and I’m sure it is. The walls in the hall we’re staying in are leaking and water is running down the tall concrete structure on the inside to the floor. The wind sounds like waves crashing all around us. We can’t believe this is only the beginning. People continue to talk and remain calm in the darkness. I continue to joke with everyone around me. We wish we could see out the windows, but they remain blocked from us. There have been no updates, other than someone telling us that we have been on generator power for some time. They may be preserving that by shutting down the lights. Out in the corridor there are dimmed lights still on. Lights blinked in and out during the evening and last night.

11:30…we’re definitely on generator power and they are conserving by keeping much of the lights off. I believe the hot meals will end now, as breakfast was fruit and yogurt. The staff is giving yoga and massages to people willing to lie on the floor or wait in line. The outlets have no power to them and I am unable to charge my laptop battery. I’m sure it will die before this is over. Quite possibly the lights will too. The storm continues to get louder and the leaking roof gets worse. There are now puddles and buckets of rainwater to avoid. Everyone is fine. I saw one young girl crying in the lobby. They have filled all three halls of this convention center and the lobby has people with cots as well in addition to the food tables set up to serve meals. The resort lost all communication with the outside and we are no longer getting updates. We are unsure what is happening or exactly where the hurricane now sits. I will try and make another phone call collect in a bit, and see if I can find out anything. The noise from the storm on this building is the wildest thing I’ve ever heard. It continues to get louder and fiercer with each passing hour.

3:35pm….they have given us an update, as best they can without communications with the outside, and we are told the eye of the hurricane is centered on Cozumel. The wind blows so hard now that the roof vibrates and the walls are pouring water in places. The sound comes in waves almost as though I can hear the waves of wind as the circling motion of hurricane blows past us in hard sweeping currents. The air has been off for some time, and the temperatures have risen in here significantly. The only motion in the air comes from a large floor pedestal fan set up in the lobby. We are told that if we need to cool down to go stand in front of the fan for a couple of minutes. The resort staff is busy trying to entertain us. We have a Spanish-speaking version an animated movie playing on a large screen and in the lobby they are playing games and learning how to make towel sculptures. I am hot now and it is muggy in here with promise of getting much worse. They told us to get rid of our blankets and sleep on our sheets. Even over the loud speakers set up for the audio of the movie they are playing, the sound of this hurricane is very clearly heard and felt. They tell us we will be here tonight and into tomorrow, but not sure how long. This hurricane is moving very very slowly and we will most likely be here for another full day….and possibly night.

6:00pm….the ceiling has been leaking in more places and large garbage cans are being placed beneath the running water falling from the ceiling. The ceiling tiles are falling and although they offer small threat of injury, some woman screams as each falls. They have opened the doors on two sides leading into the loading and storage areas so we can get some level of air movement within the hall we are in. It has become hot and muggy within the hall. With the doors open, the exhaust from the generators can be easily smelled and we have asked about the danger of carbon monoxide. Like we were told there was no chance of hurricane Wilma hitting here, we are told that there is no chance of carbon monoxide poisoning. What are we to believe, when we have already been lied to so much? They do, however continue to try hard to keep us entertained and fed. But we think the food is running low. A waiter thanked me this afternoon for asking for a Pepsi instead of water. The hot meals have turned into cold sandwiches and lettuce salad. When we reached the buffet line, there was little left with at least 150 people still behind us in line. They are conserving electricity by turning off most of the lights and all the AC. No doubt, we’re missing the party at Roxie’s being held in our honor. How do ya like that???? The guests of honor were not even invited!!! (thanks, Rox!!!) Oh, and Happy Birthday, Damon! We hope the girls back in Kennesaw are celebrating our sweet little man’s big day! The roof sounds like there are huge earthmovers rolling across it. The noise is constant and very loud.