Submitted August 30, 2008So, I realized that I left out a public safety component: The Firemen.
There are firetrucks parked near the Puerto Galera Municipal Offices. I have not seen them moved. And I have not seen the firemen out washing them incessantly, either.
But we do see fires. Little fires. Everywhere. Not just on burn days. Every day that it is not raining seems to be a burn day. By the side of the road. Behind the house. Burning trash--burning brush -- just burning.
Yesterday, we had some classroom time at the birth center. I smelled smoke. Looked outside and there was our back 10 on fire. Right next to the clinic. A control burn. I just closed the door. And we finished our studies until we got smoked out.
Sometimes, there are entire hillsides on fire. Slash and burn agriculture. Until the rains come. And the mud slides.
Out-of-control-burn.
