Acapulco was an interesting experience for me. I became a Mexican citizen in September and felt incredibly compelled to help document the catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane Otis. Part of me wanted to make my grandfather proud. Part of me wanted to pay a debt to a country that I never lived in but that has somehow been so good to me and a large inspiration for who I have become as an adult. I was shooting a project in Leon for my dear friend @goodpeoples & her company @protocollective when I heard news of Hurricane Otis and I am thankful that she gave me some time to pause our project so that I could do my part to tell the story of what happened in Acapulco.
Acapulco was destroyed in more ways than one. Peoples’ homes were flattened and their lives were scattered across various parts of the city. The citizens went days without food as well as power, water, or cell service - all vital utilities to a city as large as Acapulco. I cannot begin to describe the details of what I saw or the stories I was told other than to say that despite all of the sadness and destruction, I witnessed the best in people across all walks of life. I received so much love and care from the people I was supposed to love and care for. I along with my colleagues at @wckitchen donated tons of Maseca to tortillarias, handed out thousands of bottles of water and thousands of meals per day only to be hugged and fed by the same people as a show of respect and gratitude. I had some small cries along the way and suspect a solid big cry is not far. I also had some giant laughs and met some amazing people.
Acapulco I love you.
