Job Discussion Forums

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

Wow! Unbelievable.
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20051023/D8DDVBOO6.html

It seems surreal to me; here on the Pacific coast I went snorkelling Sunday afternoon with some of the other teachers. You could never tell that the other side of the country has been smashed by a hurricane.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

As destructive as this 'cane was, it is good to see so few deaths...only 3 I've read. A testament to preparedness. The whole are will be back on its feet in not much time. Winter tourist dollars will help a lot.

aisha · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 2:44 pm Post subject:

If you guys are interested, you can check out http://playainfo.com and go on the forum and under wilma you will find a thread about post-wilma and pictures. The media has totally exaggerated the damage saying playa was totally destroyed, which is not true at all. It's nothing that can't be fixed with hard work. Playa will be back in no time at all (I hope).

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

Ooops...computer burps this morning! See my double post!

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

I don't think pictures can exaggerate the severity of damage (on that whole area of the Yucatan peninsula). It was a devestating hurricane and will take lots of money and hard work to get things back in order.

Ben Round de Bloc · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1946

Nothing for damage from Wilma here in Merida. Just a few days of annoying weather -- lots of extra rain and gusty winds. Never even lost power in my neighborhood. Most schools canceled classes for last Friday, and most city transportation shut down for the better part of two days. Areas in the eastern part of the state did have some damage from what I've heard, however. There were lots more tourists than usual downtown on Sunday. I imagine many of them were vacationing on the Caribbean coast and chose to "migrate" to Merida.

Cdaniels · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 4:39 pm Post subject: Playa del Carmen

I think Aisha meant to post www.playa.info The biggest worry now would be lost tourist revenue from people cancelling their vacation plans. Misrepresenting the damage done could compound problems for a lot of folks. I'm anxious to hear from the teachers in Quintana Roo now! I hope everyone is all right down there!

aisha · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2005 12:35 pm Post subject:

I didn't mean to say there was no damage at all, there certainly was. I'm not making light of the situation. It was a bad hurricane. I've just heard from the people that actually live there and have went through the hurricane themselves that the media exaggerated it. That is not my opinion, that is the thoughts from those who have went through the hurricane firsthand.

Cdaniels · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2005 2:51 pm Post subject: Precision and Accuracy

I think you're probably right, Aisha. While underestimating the damage might be bad for tourists, overestimating the damage and sensationalizing the story is bad for the people there, who depend on tourism to make a living.

Here's a collection of recent photos of the cleanup effot http://www.playa-maya.com/guestbook/galleries/gallery.php?id=1130243800#

MELEE · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2005 4:21 pm Post subject:

I think those of us living in Mexico know what the Mexican Television Media is like Rolling Eyes

My feeling is that they really wanted to have their very own New Orleans.

PlayadelSoul · Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 346 Location: Playa del Carmen

Hi everyone,

My family and I are fine. Things are a bit hectic, right now. We will resume classes again on Monday, and this month is free for the students.

More later.

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

That's great news! Thanks for letting us know you are all okay.

Ms. Atondo · Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 4:45 pm Post subject:

PlaydelSoul, good to know you are OK and that people there are getting back on their feet. The best of luck to you.

MELEE · Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 6:26 pm Post subject:

I've very glad to hear that you're alright and getting back to business so soon.

As predicted, we've had a cloudy week and are experiencing light rain at the moment!