A taste of third world living

[MorningGlow]

7. Not necessarily (the looting part)

Have you heard of the massive ice storm that hit western NY in 1991? Parts of the area (I lived in Rochester at the time) were without power for two weeks--some even longer. It was freezing cold and power lines were down all over the area--across roads, which essentially made traveling impossible because it was so dangerous.

Like the current storm and outages you're going through (you have my deepest sympathy), some locations had power, some nearby didn't. In fact, sometimes one side of the street never lost power, while the other side was stone cold and dark and people were sleeping in front of their fireplaces (cooking on them and on their outside grills) too.

So when did the chaos and mayhem ensue? Never. Utility power cords started snaking across streets and through yards, so people with power could give some to people without--on their own dime. People shared food. Those with power cooked for those without. Neighbors who barely knew each other let people without power into their houses so they could do some laundry and have a hot meal and a hot shower. Businesses like health clubs and YMCAs (and schools) let people in whether they were members or not, so they could have showers, too. Some people who had to get back to work used the gym showers every day till their power was restored.

I have never seen such generosity before or since. It was truly inspiring. Don't sell these crazy humans short, Stinky. When push comes to shove, they'll surprise you, pleasantly, every time.