After the earth quake happened yesterday (level 8.9!!) I had no idea how bad the situation was until I went downstairs (I had fallen back asleep for three more hours due to jet lag) and switched the TV on (in which every single channel is stuck on these devastating images from Sendai and the north of Japan).
Tokyo came out scratch free compared to Tohoku (the north eastern part of Japan where the epicenter was closest to). My friend said that he was in the grocery store when it happened and said that all the glass of the Pachinko (japanese slots game) building across the street shattered into the street. Nothing so drastic happened in my area (thank god) and since I was comfortably in bed when it happened, I didn't see anything fall or crack. Sendai and pretty much all the east coastal regions, Fukushima and Chiba are the main points of damage.
*Here's a map of the area and where the earthquake hit. As you can see, Tokyo is pretty far from the epicenter. (map taken from Mikaela)
Fukushima's nuclear power plant had an explosion and now they're concerned about a meltdown (I can't tell though if they have it under control and that they're just preparing for the worse or if they really are concerned about a melt down happening). But my host mother just informed me that they're probably going to be turning off all power and water in the Tokyo area to help out the north east so she's filled the bath tub and brought out extra blankets in preparation of a cold night. I hope I'm not going to be witness to a Japanese Chernobyl.
Chiba's oil refineries caught on fire and now they're saying that if you go outside, bring an umbrella and rain coat and to cover all your skin in case it rains because the rain will bring over theshit from the refineries (*shit from the nuclear plant coming over is the concern) and it'll be trouble if it touches your skin.
It makes me want to cry seeing all the images from the Tsunami hit areas and thinking how lucky I am to be in the area I am and that it didn't hit closer to home. I heard that there are a lot of relief funds already going and I beg everyone to help with what they can. American's should remember how they felt when Katerina hit (because this is on par with Katerina) and how people in the south needed all the help they could get (and they still need it too). So please do what you can, this is truly a terrible instance that no one was prepared for (and how could we be? No one can predict mother nature). Death count is almost up in the thousands (last reported was 700+ and counting; every ten minutes or so the give the latest count) and hundreds are missing. Many people can't get a hold of their families due to phone lines being down and I have a couple friends who haven't heard from their parents since last night so have no idea if they're okay or not. All my friends seem to be safe and I hope it stays that way (and I hope their parents and loved ones are like-wise).
*Lady Gaga offers bracelets: http://www.ladygaga.com/news/default.aspx?nid=34654
and http://www.globalgiving.org/ is also a legit site that you can donate to. Red Cross ain't bad either (just make sure the place you do donate to is legit and not a scam). Thankx Mikaela!
We're still feeling little after shocks and there's fear of another big one hitting (please no!!).
Trains are up and running for the most part. I had to make a little run to Takadanobaba today to pick up something from a friend who's hopefully leaving tonight for the southern part of Japan (smart move), otherwise I wouldn't have gone out at all. I'm supposed to start back at work on Tuesday so hopefully nothing happened to the building (and hopefully nothing will still happen to it). So long as another quake doesn't hit and the power plant gets under control then Tokyo will be fine. Tohoku will take a long while to get back together and I hope for the best.
I'll be posting about my trip soon (it will be in pieces because I have a lot to write about). Likewise pictures will be going up.
My heart goes out to all the people who've lost everything (including loved ones) and hope that nothing else happens so we can start fixing everything.
PEACE OUTSIDE
Jamie
Tokyo came out scratch free compared to Tohoku (the north eastern part of Japan where the epicenter was closest to). My friend said that he was in the grocery store when it happened and said that all the glass of the Pachinko (japanese slots game) building across the street shattered into the street. Nothing so drastic happened in my area (thank god) and since I was comfortably in bed when it happened, I didn't see anything fall or crack. Sendai and pretty much all the east coastal regions, Fukushima and Chiba are the main points of damage.
*Here's a map of the area and where the earthquake hit. As you can see, Tokyo is pretty far from the epicenter. (map taken from Mikaela)
Fukushima's nuclear power plant had an explosion and now they're concerned about a meltdown (I can't tell though if they have it under control and that they're just preparing for the worse or if they really are concerned about a melt down happening). But my host mother just informed me that they're probably going to be turning off all power and water in the Tokyo area to help out the north east so she's filled the bath tub and brought out extra blankets in preparation of a cold night. I hope I'm not going to be witness to a Japanese Chernobyl.
Chiba's oil refineries caught on fire and now they're saying that if you go outside, bring an umbrella and rain coat and to cover all your skin in case it rains because the rain will bring over the
It makes me want to cry seeing all the images from the Tsunami hit areas and thinking how lucky I am to be in the area I am and that it didn't hit closer to home. I heard that there are a lot of relief funds already going and I beg everyone to help with what they can. American's should remember how they felt when Katerina hit (because this is on par with Katerina) and how people in the south needed all the help they could get (and they still need it too). So please do what you can, this is truly a terrible instance that no one was prepared for (and how could we be? No one can predict mother nature). Death count is almost up in the thousands (last reported was 700+ and counting; every ten minutes or so the give the latest count) and hundreds are missing. Many people can't get a hold of their families due to phone lines being down and I have a couple friends who haven't heard from their parents since last night so have no idea if they're okay or not. All my friends seem to be safe and I hope it stays that way (and I hope their parents and loved ones are like-wise).
*Lady Gaga offers bracelets: http://www.ladygaga.com/news/default.aspx?nid=34654
and http://www.globalgiving.org/ is also a legit site that you can donate to. Red Cross ain't bad either (just make sure the place you do donate to is legit and not a scam). Thankx Mikaela!
We're still feeling little after shocks and there's fear of another big one hitting (please no!!).
Trains are up and running for the most part. I had to make a little run to Takadanobaba today to pick up something from a friend who's hopefully leaving tonight for the southern part of Japan (smart move), otherwise I wouldn't have gone out at all. I'm supposed to start back at work on Tuesday so hopefully nothing happened to the building (and hopefully nothing will still happen to it). So long as another quake doesn't hit and the power plant gets under control then Tokyo will be fine. Tohoku will take a long while to get back together and I hope for the best.
I'll be posting about my trip soon (it will be in pieces because I have a lot to write about). Likewise pictures will be going up.
My heart goes out to all the people who've lost everything (including loved ones) and hope that nothing else happens so we can start fixing everything.
PEACE OUTSIDE
Jamie
2 comments:
You went on black out!I need to here from you! Mommy is convulsing! Please get a hold of me as soon as possible.
Mommy Loves you very much if you need to get the hell out of doge! Just say the word!
xoxoxox
Take care of your self. Please consider leaving. Your parents are worried about. Debbie
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