Today, British Airways flight 283 took off from Heathrow enroute to Los Angeles with two pieces of very important cargo . . .and it wasn’t even Bricole! We began our day a bit lazily as we packed up all of our stuff (which wasn’t a lot if you’ve been following along) and loaded up the car to head out toward Tampa and St. Petersburg. Between Orlando and Tampa Bay, there were numerous squall lines of intense rain that required we go about half speed. We stopped off at a WaWa enroute for some lunch. Everyone inside was scary looking. People were talking to themselves or laughing at a joke that hadn’t been told. Bad facial tattoos, ill fitting clothes, and a general staggering or shuffling around the premises like zombies on heroine encouraged us to make a swift exit after collecting our sandwiches.
Eventually we arrived at Isla del Sol, the most Del Boca Vista of condo complexes. Immediately there was visible proof of a damaging storm. A lawn chair that did not belong on the landing had been thrown there from an unknown source. Terra cotta roof tiles had shattered on the ground. Trees and lamp posts were down. It would have been scary to have been present when all of this was happening. Unlike last year, however, we had functioning air conditioning. This was exciting. We did not, however, have Wi-Fi. This put us in no better standing with connectivity than being out in the bush in Uganda. Avian wildlife had taken over the nearby golf course, including this surprising sighting of a bald eagle. I would know because I’m into birding now.
After acquiring some provisions at a nearby Publix (which also did not have Wi-Fi), we went to a local institution called The Deck, which is seemingly the only restaurant that is open for miles. It was filled to capacity. The bridge to St Petersburg beach is still effectively closed. There is a police checkpoint checking IDs to ensure people are either residents or workers as most traffic lights and electricity is still knocked out in those parts. More rain is on the way offering little relief to the cleanup and repair crews and how am I supposed to blog effectively without Wi-Fi? I am basically in Amish country.
Word on the street is that internet will be reestablished by tomorrow morning, but this is also the place last year where I was told, “Get ready to start feeling some cool air!”and then told five minutes later that it could be two weeks before air conditioning could be set up. Never a dull moment with Bricole. I realize the lack of internet may seem trivial amidst the backdrop of a major hurricane having damaged actual property, but I know I have at least three readers who depend on blog updates from me, and this is unacceptable. Let’s hope emergency services in the Tampa Bay area aren’t relying on Spectrum for their communications.
passports & pepto bismol 