Fog or Cloud

For years as I ascend the Soufriere Mountains on various hiking trips I would always stop and watch the Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) plane wreckage on the south side of the 3002ft mountain. On Friday 17 September 1965 Flight 292 crashed into the Soufriere Mountains while flying from Martinique en-route to New York via San Juan, killing all on board. It was reported that the sky was slightly overcast at the time of the crash. Seeing the footage from the scenes of this weekend’s crash in Poland reminded me about Pan Am crash in Montserrat. We are informed that Poland’s President Lech, Kaczynski plane crashed into trees in foggy weather as it approached the Smolensk airport. I remember hearing stories told to me about the Montserrat crash and now thinking about the differences of this recent disaster I know the former calamity is dwarfed in comparison on many fronts but there is one similarity for me and it is the fog.

Do you know that there is no difference between the fog and clouds other than altitude? Fog is defined as visible moisture that begins at a height lower than 50 feet. If the visible moisture begins at or above 50 feet, it is called a cloud. I know from my own experience while hiking that sometimes one can barely see your arms while walking in clouds. There are also moments of disorientation based on the speed of the walk. Furthermore there are also times when you are tricked into thinking that you actually reached the summit. So the task that Captain Grzegorz Pietruczuk (the pilot) was entrusted undoubtedly not an easy one.

Let us pray for the souls of the faithful departed and the many who mourn the passing of their love ones in these and other plane crashes.

The Emerald Isle – Celebrates

It is the week when Irish descendants everywhere “switch gears” to celebrate the tenth St. Patrick’s Day of the twenty first century. My island of Montserrat with its strong Irish tradition and history and has expanded the commemoration of March 17, 1978 to a week long celebration.  Today begins a week long celebration as we observe the efforts of our Irish ancestor’s attempts to gain freedom; that led to the 1768 uprising. Three hundred years on and the spirit of the ancestor’s still lives on and this is echoed throughout the celebration of St. Patrick’s week.  “As the wooden shamrock adorns the gable at the Government house many are busy in preparation for the week.” Custom officers are busy stamping the shamrock in many passports. Slave huts are being erected. The national dish goat water is being prepared. Both residents and visitors move to the beats of the bodhran, babla (drums.) The masquerades crack their whips. The mood is cheerful and contagious and we remember our heritage in varied and imaginative ways. Enjoy the video and view the list events scheduled for the week of celebrations.