As nearly all of you will be aware an Earthquake, 9m, hit japan off the coast not too far from Sendai causing a tsunami wave to hit many of the coastal towns, cities and villages.
The past few days have more or less al merged into one. Me and some friends escaped miyako straight after the earthquake and headed for higher grounds. Luckily our town had loud speakers for announcements and my friend was able to quickly check the news on his cell phone. Most people made it to safety but unfortunately some friends lost their reletives.
Friday was going to be my last day in my apartment and so most of my remaining items were placed in my car which was hit by the tsunami and lost. The apartment was luckily on the second floor with parking underneath and so thats ok.
At our friends house we ran out of water on our second day, we was without electricity for 4 days, but luckily we had gas. When the water ran out we luckily had another friend with a fresh water well that was drinkable.
Friday night me and a friend took a japanese friend back to miyako...we saw old people being carried out their houses, ships stuck in the road, many road blocked by cars piled on top of each other, lamp posts flattened, collapsed houses, people in barefeet...basically total destruction...
we later heard that Sokei, Tsugaruishi and Yamada were all devistated...these 3 places are where most of my students live...in fact for yamada high school nearly all my students, except for about 10 (out of 300), live in yamada. I was also told that my high school in Tsugaruishi was hit by the tsunami and has gone.
Yesterday i moved to a village further north. we can get internet in some locations but have no cell phone connection.
I was able to contact my family saturday night.
I am trying to get over to Morioka but we have a shortage of petrol. Morioka is the nearest main city an also where theres an office for my company...unsure whats going to happen. Some friends are going home but its very tricky to get flight...plus i also want to find out about my schools etc - to me this is still home.
Today though its snowing quite heavily, temperatures have plumited...hopefully the electric stays on for heat
i will try and keep people update
Paul
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Glad to hear your 250km away. I've been following the crisis via bbc.com I know in the last few hours they have been using riot water hoses (about 11 I think) on reactor 3. America seems to think it is worse than the 3mile island incident of 1979. But this could be an exaggerating.
I'm going to get some sleep now, hope the next few days are better for you than the last.
it quite difficult to say about the melt down situation...in Japan they have put everyone on high alert but believe they have it under control...people are being evacuated in certain areas as a precaution.
im about 250km away...winds are not blowing in this direction...we also have enough petrol to go further north...it should be ok...
the problem is some news are over exaggerating and looking at the worst cause scenario, others are trying to be realistic and some do not have reliable resources
Glad that to see that your ok. Was worried at first as knew you were in the northern region. As many people have said on here, I can not begin to imagine what you and everyone else must be going through. I only hope you all many to persevere and carry on with life the best you can after this devastation.
What's the situation with the possible meltdown in your area? Are you a safe distant away? Have you been advised to maybe fly home?
I look forward to reading in more details your blog on the situation. Glad your ok though
I just came across your post. I felt tears welling up as I read of your plight and that of Japan. Thinking of you and your students. Deborah.
Unfortunately things like stomach bugs will spread fast. With disaster brings disease, not only of the disruption and churning up of sewage works, but also due to the stress of the situation (all animals become susceptible to disease when they're stressed). I'm sure you'll get better soon though.
I understand what you mean about trying not to think about it, but that's easy enough for someone like me to say - I'm not surrounded by it as a constant reminder. However with the images I've seen on TV I, like Princess81, start to cry from the thought of what is going on. I wish I could help, but all I can do is send supporting thoughts and words.
Just remember, it's natural to snap at each other, but nobody means it. These people you're with, you're all survivors of one of the biggest disasters of our time, and for that, you will be bonded for life. These are the people you will speak to when you're old and grey... out of all this turmoil, THAT is a gift.
Try to smile, at least once a day! *hug*
thank you for the nice comments...its still crazy...none of us are sleeping well...were trying to keep it together but occassionally snap at each other cos of the stress...the days have merged into one and we have little to do...to make things worst me and a group of friends have come down with a stomach bug, so were now fighting that...we have moved out of the disaster area (just) where we are its almost running as normal...
i will try and keep everyone updated
So glad you're OK Paul. We were really worried about you here in the office. I can't even imagine how you'll be feeling, but my thoughts are with you.
Take care and I hope you get some good news soon.
Laura
Good to hear your OK Paul, Must have been a hell of an experience and I do hope the worst is over!. Being here in China there is a lot of coverage on the TV and I don't think I have ever seen anything quite so bad!. Take care.
Mark
you are SO lucky. but i guess it is hard to feel lucky when you are surrounded by so much death and devastation. i cant even imagine how you are feeling about your students. i am getting tears in my eyes thinking about you thinking about them. if that makes sense.
good luck with the next few hours/days/weeks, i hope you hear some good news..
x
thank you...i am trying to find out information on my schools and students...i try not to think about because i start to cry...in fact the school that was possibly destroyed was the school im normally at on fridays, luckily i had a work day (basically i work from home)
i use the word luckily a lot because i have been very lucky...
at the moment im taking each day as it comes...i dont know what the future will hold...only that i will have survived japans biggest earthquake
will be writing a blog, of course :)
I dont know you but I was reading your blogs before this happened and I'm so glad you're ok. I really hope all your students survived too although it doesnt sound good.
My thoughts are with you..
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