Monday was a definite day of highs and lows. The morning brought glorious sunshine, clear skies, and no humidity. Best of all, hot coffee was served in the courtyard! It had been four days since I had had my typical daily java jolt. I was feeling pretty good that I made it that long without any repercussions. Guess I wasn't addicted after all!
We were served a buffet breakfast of omelets, French toast, hash browns, fruit, juice, breads...pretty much everything we had had pre-Wilma. It was delicious, but all everyone could talk about was going home! Would we get out today? Tomorrow? Which airlines were coming? Everyone was working feverishly to get us out. Phone calls were going back and forth between Cozumel and travel agencies and airlines in the states all morning.
People were worried about their job responsibilities at home. One member of our group, an attorney, was supposed to be in court the next day. Another, a small business owner, was concerned about losing a large contract. Several people soberly contemplated what this extra time off from work would do to leave balances.
Some people were running out of their medicines. And, although the resort had been feeding us well, there was concern about food shortages on the island and possible looting if it became known that the resort had supplies of food. (Note: looting never became a problem and most everyone was eventually able to get their medications at the local pharmacies).
Around noon, the resort turned on the water temporarily for the first time since the storm. What an immediate mood lifter! I raced up to our room and jumped in the shower...my first in four days! It was cold water and somewhat salty but it was the best shower I have ever had.
Unfortunately, the elation didn’t last long! The news about flights home was discouraging. Nobody was flying out today. Some people from other groups and Anaka from our group were confirmed on a Continental flight on Wednesday. The rest of us would probably have to wait until Saturday for USAir! SATURDAY!? That seemed like an eternity away! After weathering Wilma, we were stranded again!
Rumors abounded over the next several days. A particular airline was coming. Then, it wasn't. By Tuesday afternoon, it got too much for one guest from another group. Her husband back in Chicago chartered a private plane for a reputed $18,000 to fly four passengers home. On Wednesday morning, the people confirmed on the Continental flight left for the airport, only to be back at the resort by lunchtime. It was a free-for-all there, they reported. They had been unable to get on the flight, even with confirmed reservations.
During these days, the resort staff was working diligently to clean up the surroundings and repair the extensive damage. The chambermaids resumed room service and the clean sheets on Monday night were divine! By Tuesday, workers were already scraping walls, getting ready to paint.
New glass arrived to replace the broken sliding doors on Wednesday. Everyone gathered around the pool to watch in awe as the workers hauled out the huge stone pillars that had been toppled there by the storm. They did it using only bare hands and some rope . We all applauded their accomplishment.
Despite continued feelings of anxiety and frustration over these days, we were becoming resigned to the situation and everyone was trying very hard to focus on the positive aspects of our confinement. We were definitely becoming bonded! We spent a lot of time walking around the resort, talking in groups, gathering for meals, sharing jokes and laughter. Our hotel began to take on the feeling of a self-contained village and there was a definite sense of closeness and immediacy about it. In the morning, when I came out on the balcony, I could talk to my "neighbors" immediately above or below me and I could see others milling about in the courtyard or carrying their pails or waste baskets to the pool to gather water to flush away the night's damages (the hotel turned off the water at night). The weather was gorgeous...warm and sunny during the days; clear with star-studded skies in the evenings. On Tuesday, someone from the resort put a ladder down into the water and several people went snorkeling. They found the pylons of the pier which had been destroyed during the storm.
Chedraui opened on Wednesday. A lot of the merchandise was wet because parts of the roof were blown off in the storm. We walked into town and, although the waterfront streets were still closed and guarded by Marines, stores were open further back and merchants were again trying to lure us in to buy jewelry or souvenirs. The locals were working hard trying to clean up the square and repair the extensive damage.
On Wednesday evening, we were served a wonderful shrimp meal and I was able to connect by phone with Jay and Jeff for the first time. It was quiet in the courtyard that night because one of the large groups was leaving very early in the morning to try again to fly out. They were in bed early. We sat around talking; gazing at the stars; playing dominos. We figured we could make to Saturday when USAir would be back. It was only two days away.