A little shaken up but SAFE

Trip Start Jan 03, 2008
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Trip End May 30, 2008


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Flag of China  , Shanghai,
Sunday, May 18, 2008

I'm sure by now you have all heard about the earthquake that recently shook up China.  First of all, Ashley and I are both safe.  We were together when the earthquake happened, in a small town about 5 hours away from the actual site of the quake.  We were staying with a friend in a near by village and went to town that day to buy a birthday cake for our friends mom.  In the middle of walking around, we felt the ground shake and looked up to see that we were standing right under an old rusty building.  At that point, the whole building had started to shake and everyone went running and screaming into the near by plaza.  The shaking lasted for maybe 5 to 10 mins but everyone stood huddled around the center for an hour or more. 

Everyone in that town was safe as well as everyone in the village we were staying in.  There was no damage expect for a couple of tiles and bricks falling out of place.  Because of the earthquake, all forms of transportation was stopped and we stayed in that village for another 2 days until the trains were running again and headed to Chengdu in hopes of catching a train to Shanghai.  The sight in Chengdu, the capital city closes to where the quake happened (2-3 hrs away), was a different story.  A lot of the old buildings had clasped.  People were sleeping everywhere from park benches to train stations.  Many were too scared to go home, a lot of shops had closed down, most hotels were no longer receiving guests, and thousands of people were waiting outside of trains and bus stations.  While inside a store trying on shoes, someone imagined they had felt a shake and screamed "earthquake" and within seconds everyone ran screaming outside.  The whole city was living in a state of constant fear.

While in such devastating times, there was still so much hope and love.  The earthquake brought many people together.  It was hearth warming walking down streets with groups of people at every corner collecting donations and lines of givers with tears in their eyes as they filled these little red boxes up with love.  Everyone from CEOs throwing in thousands of dollars, to students donating their lunch money.  The song, "if everyone can give a little bit of love, then we can together make this world a much better place" cascaded from every corner. 

On the train ride from Chengdu to Shanghai we met a man who had just escaped from the actual site of the earthquake.  He told us of his encounters, his stories.  About his friend who stood next to a collapsed building of which his son layed under.  About his friend who stood there and could still hear, talk to his son.  And of the rescue team who got there too late.  12 hours later, they were finally able to unearth what was buried underneath, but by then, it was too late.  His friend had stood there next to that pile of what use to be a building and listened while his son took his last breath helplessly.

There are many websites accepting donations, amnesty international, American red cross...etc.  Every little bit helps. 

lots of kisses
I will see you guys soon!
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