I am fine and surviving Ivan the Terrible. I am sure you are aware that the hurricane lashed out at Grenada on September 7, 2004 (my birthday). I had so many plans for that day, but they had to be cancelled because of Hurricane Ivan.

Ivan the Terrible started battering Grenada some time around 2pm. At first, it was storm winds; therefore, the wind speed wasn't that high. But a while later, the hurricane winds came in full force, breaking and uprooting trees. It was like a tornado; the wind was swirling and ripping through trees. My neighbor's roof blew off, but luckily they were at my house. I sat in my veranda and looked at the devastation and destruction Hurricane Ivan was pouring down on Grenada.

After the passage of the hurricane the looting started. I fail to understand how people can be so destructive and cruel after what they experienced. Thankfully, no looting occurred in St. Patrick's.

Currently, we have no electrical power and most residential phone lines are down. Ivan is responsible for quite a number of deaths and about three-quarters of the population have no homes.

Hope to hear from you soon,

Kelann Belfon
Chantimelle, St. Patrick's
Grenada, West Indies
2004-2005