Where did my roof go? | My Typhoon Odette(Rai) encounter (2021)

 
I was stunned and felt as if I had lost a few pounds. All I know is that I should put my things in the living room, then grab my laptop and charger, go back to the house where we stayed, and pray. I haven't gotten any sleep until 5 in the morning, or about 30 minutes of sleep more or less, then woke up to go back to the house where I am staying and clean up all the mess. I still can't believe what happened. All though I had experienced being hit by a typhoon (2017) before, our house at Danao was flooded, but all the things were saved. This was a different one.
 
There was no electricity or water. Luckily, there was still network signal at that time, and I messaged my father and my partner to say that we were safe but that the roof was gone and all my things got wet. I also messaged my instructors at the university that I had been affected by the typhoon and sent them pictures too for proof. That time I was doing an OJT and told my boss what happened and that I would stop working in the meantime (but really, after that, I haven't gone back to work for them at all).
 
I was also saving for my Thailand trip at the time, and it was already in the five figures. I can't afford to compromise and have to spend it on food, water, and the roof in my room to be fixed. I used my savings and thought that I could save again soon, but that time was critical and in the midst of an emergency.

 

On the morning of December 17, 2021, we went out to look for an ATM to withdraw money and buy some goods. As we headed out, big trees blocked the way. It was like Narnia—you won't know what you'll be seeing as you enter the unknown. LOL. Joking aside, we have to duck so we can fit on the pathways the neighbors made just for the motorbikes to pass through. The area outside the City of Naga and Minglanilla was devastated, with building and structure debris strewn across the road. People were panicking about where to buy food because it was all closed. The lines at the gasoline stations were too long, and prices on everything went up too.

 
We also went to Danao to borrow a chainsaw from my uncle. The place going north was struck by the typhoon too. The ripraps had been destroyed, and a car was perched on the riprap of a house, close enough to fall into the ocean (because the house was beachfront). There was no electricity either, and the trees were inclined, showing what the typhoon's direction was. My goodness, so much had happened.
 
On the brighter side, my college batchmates from my previous university donated food and water, as well as an emergency flash light. I still got to celebrate my birthday on the 21st, and on that blog of mine during the new year, we still got to celebrate and be thankful for the good health and safety that we had despite everything that we had experienced.

I haven't had the chance to click photos from outside of Naga, and when we went to Danao, my phone was already out of battery, and it took me a day or two to have it charged again.

 
Thank you for reading this far and reminiscing with me about my typhoon experience. Until my next blog, all the best!

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Spontaneoussober is an innate traveler, wanderer, adventurer, and free-spirited. She values independence and does what she wants when she wants. A lively and passionate woman who enjoys connecting with and empathizing with those around her..

 

 

 

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