I am back from my holidays, got the household all settled again and am ready to start planning our next escape.

While we were in Turkey, we received a call from a friend in Houston about Hurricane Ike making its way towards Houston and wanted to know if we were at a safe place. Thanks Julie, you are so kind!

When Julie called, we just got home from sailing and was about to have a sundowner by the pool. I can’t relax the entire evening! I was thinking about the apartment, imagining the worse. Good thing Adam’s car was parked on the 4th floor in the parking garage. My Jeep however was parked at the airport. Since it’s much cheaper than Adam’s and it’s insured, it didn’t really bother me.

I was however worried that our apartment will be flooded – all furniture soaked in water and electrical appliance gone. Food in the pantry moldy from the flood water, the fridge reeking with smell of decomposed meat. Eeee…. Adam however was more relaxed and was worried about his new gas grill and gas tank which were on the balcony. Hmm…

Anyhow the next day we texted a few friends and we were told that our apartment is fine and was only without power for 12 hours but many of our friends were not that lucky. Some were without power for 2 days, some 10 and some 13! Can you imagine 2 weeks without power?

When we arrived back in Houston we noticed the whole of Houston looked untidy. Yes, untidy. Grass were not trimmed. Leaves everywhere. Damaged billboards along the freeway. Trees leaning one side from the strong winds, trees cut into pieces along the street waiting to be picked up…etc. When we stepped into our apartment, I was so glad to find it as we left it. And the gas grill? It’s still there!

We saw many photos of the city the day after the hurricane and it’s not pretty. The worst hit place is Galveston island about 50 miles from us. Many lives are lost at Galveston and homes destroyed. Everyday in the news you see updates on clean-up, rebuilding…etc and it’s said that it will take 6 months for Houston to get back to normal.

I can’t say how lucky we feel. I am glad we escaped the whole thing and that our home is safe. We can’t be too prepared so I still make sure I have all necessary supplies stocked, ready for the next one that comes along. It is still hurricane season.