This is what community is all about. A report from one of my friends in the thick of what’s happening in Los Angeles…
It is so dry here it could strike up again. No one is driving around. The streets and freeways are empty. It’s very strange. I’ve been through several major earthquakes, many wind, storms, fires, floods, mudslides, and the LA riots, not to mention two years of Covid. It feels a little like that. But at the same time different. It’s weird, because it actually feels like everyone’s used to it! This is just the current one!
Last night I was filming at the Pasadena Rose Bowl area, where there is a large rescue effort underway. Several trucks filled with supplies were being dropped off and about 50 people were there unloading in a very excited and frenzied manner. It all felt very team effort, and everyone was going very fast and there was lots of excited yelling and enthusiasm. It was actually pretty cool. And there were so many donations. Thousands of bottles of water. Huge piles of clothing. Pizzas and lasagna and Mexican food and all sorts of other food. It went on until about midnight. It was exciting!
And the smell of smoke from the fires was in the air too. Very interesting. The Rose Bowl has been the site of many events for me, like The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, U2, and other concerts. They also have one of the largest flea markets in the world there. And now a disaster support area!
And in another area, there were hundreds of motorhomes and trailers for temporary living areas. And portable bathrooms. It look like a Ridley Scott movie set!
And there was also at the site at least six news crews all doing interviews with the unloading of the trucks in the background. Everyone was pretty respectful of each other too. There was a lot of cooperation. It was very interesting.
And here’s something else…
Another friend has opened up his properties for the displaced.
And another friend is dropping off blankets and food to the many wildlife and other animal rescue centres that have opened up everywhere.
There are, no doubt, many stories of triumph and tragedy yet to emerge from this disaster. And I am donating all Royalties this month to wildlife rescue in California so please share this link: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DK2WX3F7?binding=paperback&qid=1736470851...
