After the Earthquake – Part 8
This is an archive post from my old blog. I’ve put this series here for others that may still be interested and so that I don’t forget…
Friday 18th March – Day seven
There was noise when I woke up this morning. It was the usual noise that you would hear on any morning plus a man drilling, I can’t explain how much better that made me feel. Today I could have kissed the man drilling because was a clear sign that there were no significant changes at the reactor overnight. I’m not sure the drilling guy would have appreciated the kiss so I sufficed myself with a little dance instead.
On the downside the nature of reactor roulette has changed now, no point calling out the reactor numbers any more it’s pretty much all of them at the same time now. Those people at the reactor are basically giving their lives to save the rest of us and it brings tears to my eyes when I think about it. Words cannot do justice to how much all of us here appreciate their sacrifice.
In Tokyo there was much more of feeling of optimism in the air today. People were outside again, talking, laughing and doing normal stuff. It felt good, but things still not passed the toilet paper test – there still isn’t any here – so people are still worried.
Lots of images of things up north today. Conditions in many places are dire. Many people in refugee centres do not have access to clean water, sufficient food or even heat. Many are getting sick. The whole thing is exacerbated by the situation at the reactors because more help isn’t coming as quickly due to worries about radiation. The government is being criticised for not doing enough, and rightly so. They weren’t doing that well to before the earthquake and Tsunami, so their under-reaction to this disaster will be the nail in their coffin. The problem is whoever comes after (who were the same as came before) won’t be any better. Japanese politics is in crisis and now people are suffering as a result.
We decided to take advantage of the feeling of normality today and went out. I even went running in order continue to facilitate my weight loss. My wife was happy as my belly was beginning to develop a will of its own – even I was worried it would develop a life and personality and go on to be more successful than me!
At night, though, the aftershocks came back. Even now they make me stop in my tracks, worried about how bad it may be. You get used to earthquakes in Japan but after last week no one is taking anything for granted.
Today was exactly one week since the earthquake and Tsunami. A moments silence was observed by many at 2.46pm – the time when the quake hit. The Tsunami hit an area of coastline 500km long. The wave was 8-10 metres high in some places. Even now I find it difficult to comprehend devastation on that scale. This will all live in my mind forever.
In few weeks the cherry blossom will bloom in Japan, I hope things will be better then, especially for those up north, and it will be the start of new hope and optimism.
Goodnight from another day in Tokyo.
