Friday, November 11, 2011

The Volcano leaves us standing Still

Friday November 11 2011


 Alexis Morales, in his bar, taken a few minutes before the closure of La Restinga. / FRAN Pallera



The Volcano leaves us standing still


VICENTE PÉREZ (Special Envoy) | El Pinar

The volcano has killed the fish, but also the economy of La Restinga. All neighborhood businesses are closed, including 9 bars and restaurants, whose employees have swelled in recent days the unemployment rolls.

"had 6 employees and I have had to make them unemployed until they recover the situation, because we can do no more," says Alexis Morales, who runs the bar with his brother Manuel, at the bar El Refugio, a business that have been raised so much sacrifice but which now runs the risk of succumbing to the lack of customers and the fear of another evacuation

After the return of the first evacuation, the catering sector reopened their kitchens, but last Saturday's nightmare was repeated with a new eviction because of this geologic risk. "We can not open, there are no customers, or those from La Restinga, because they are scared. And on top of that neither the scientists nor the authorities are clear about how the volcano will behave, so there are no guarantees," the businessman said yesterday while he reviewed his bar minutes before leaving the village at 18.00 hours, as from that time and until 8.00 Civil Guard prevents the passage.

In the same situation is the owner of the bar and apartments La Vieja Pandorga, Luis Andres Gonzalez, who has had to leave unemployment to two of his six employees. "I'll wait two weeks to see how the situation evolves, but if not we go back to normal, I have to do the same with the other workers," explains the entrepreneur, who regrets that,as no one is able to spend the night in the town and that there are no tourists, and without them the restaurant does not live.

Inma runs the tavern La Laja and her husband Francisco a diving club. Both profess to be at the limit, they must address not only the costs of their businesses but also the education of their children outside of the island, which adds to the anxiety of those who live with the volcanic emergency.

The councilman of Commerce and Tourism of El Pinar, Magaly Gonzalez, notes that "we can not let La Restinga die,, but do not forget that this is an area with a red light by a volcanic emergency." So, it is nature that has the last word against this crisis.


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