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To follow are some photos and a brief journal about our September 2nd trip to hand deliver more food and some cooking goods to Mahahual, Noh Bec and Chacchoben. The trip actually started the day before at Sam's Club where we purchased another two pallets of Maseca corn flour (used to make tortillas) 220 bags of dried black beans, 24 cases of 1-2-3 safflower cooking oil, and two tarps. A good friend from Dallas Texas, the owner of Casa Texana in South Akumal, set us up with two fine gentlemen, Vidal and Chino, to drive the truck and assist in handing out the goods. Thank you Mr. T. Kay and I made the purchase totaling $7,568 pesos ($707 US dollars). We loaded as much as we could in the open stake bed truck, covered it with one of the large tarps in case it rained (which it did on the way the next day), then we loaded what was left in our SUV. We set a plan to meet the next morning in front of Akumal at 8:30. Kelly, who often works in animal rescue clinics, had a totally independent donation from the International Humane Society to buy dog food, and Scott made a run to buy many large bags of it the day before. Part of this was stashed in Scott's pickup and the rest will be going down on a later trip. We set off the next morning, Sunday, September 2nd, with a caravan of three trucks for Mahahual. The crew was Vidal and Chino in the big truck, Kay and Scott in Scott's pick up, and Gary and "Maggie" (from the LG forums) in our truck. Maggie's enthusiasm was high since she had never done anything like this before, or even been farther south than Tulum pueblo. We drove the three hours to Mahahual, in and out of the rain, and pulled in to the collection center/ community kitchen set up at the school a couple blocks back from Mahahual's main street. We unloaded a good portion of Maseca from our SUV there, and then Maggie and I proceeded to go house to house and hand out Maseca to people we saw in town. I didn't get many pictures of this but Maggie really enjoyed the close contact with the locals. It is very satisfying to personally hand goods to those in need. That's the moment that makes all the effort worthwhile. We saw Scott and Kay, restocked their truck with some Maseca, and they also went house to house distributing the food. Scott dropped off the dog food where it was supposed to go. scott and Kay bumped into Claudia, the Red Cross volunteer I mentioned in an earlier report, and meanwhile Maggie and I went over to the Costa Maya Inn/hotel to meet Kevin Graham. He has been working very hard coordinating and distributing relief goods in Mahahual, and some other parts of La Costa Maya. He and I had a great discussion and wished each other well. Afterward we all left for points west, to the towns of Chacchoben and Noh Bec. In those two towns we handed all the food in the big truck out; quite a lot of it door to door in the poorest parts of the towns, and even more of it (in Noh Bec) to people who lined up in front of the town square. Then we relocated to Noh Bec's school and finished up. It was late at this point; the end of another great day, very satisfying for all involved. I did not get many pictures because we were all involved in the work at hand, but I will never forget the smile on Maggie's face as she handed bags upon bags of food to people. I don't think she will ever forget that day, nor will any of us. The latest and greatest news of all Puppy sitting on just a little of the dog food purchased with funds donated by the International Humane Society.  Maggie helping unload food and goods at the school/kitchen/collection center in Mahahual.  One of the collapsed ocean front buildings on Mahahual's main street.  Maggie handing out Maseca to a family on Mahahual beach  We left Mahahual and headed west, inland to the little known village of Noh Bec. 700+ families live there and there is no tourism. The poorest people live at the edge of town and so we stopped there first, and were instantly swampped by folks coming out from the back streets. Sorry, I didn't get any pictures of that. Photo below, after we arrive in centro, the people form two lines behind the truck, by the town square (zocalo) in Noh Bec town center.  Vidal and a lady from the town handing out food in the zocalo.   More pictures in front of Noh Bec's zocalo.   A young woman heads back to her house.  Once the people dwindled in front of the zocalo we change locations to the school in Noh Bec and blew our horn for a while. A guy on a motorcycle alerted the nearby town's people and they started filtering in.  Hurricane wind damage of an open shade patio, next to the truck, inside the schoolyard.  Left to right, Vidal, Maggie and Chino pass along the goods.  Kay hands some goods to a distinguished looking gentlemen.  Maggie helping a kid on a mini-triciclo. He had some unknown use for the wrapping paper that the bulk Maseca came in.  Kay shares a smile with a local girl.  Maggie and a family, all on one motorcycle.  More town's people awaiting their turn, then heading home.    
To all of you out there who have given so generously we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Private sector aid to stricken areas is still the most immediate way to bring relief, and the power of the Internet is the pivotal element to make it all come together quickly. From the people who have received, and who will continue to receive assistance as a result of your generousity -!- Mil Gracias -!- to you all. We hope Dean will be the last hurricane we see for a long time. Gracias y adios..
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