earthquake

When the earthquake started, I thought it was my washing machine, which does a pretty good earthquake imitation on the spin cycle but then with ultimate humor spits out dripping wet clothes that I have to wring by hand.

What caught my attention was all the noise from the student dorms; they were yelling and pouring out of the buildings.  A jolt of adrenaline hit me as I realize what was happening, “what am I supposed to do?”  I remember the PC advice to stay inside; I open the front door- just in case the doorframe shifts and jams it shut; I find my passport; I look up earthquake advice on the Internet.  In the US, we’re told to Drop, Cover, Hold, nothing about yelling and running out of the building, an impulse the Chinese follow, one that’s hard to resist.

A magnitude 7 earthquake hit Sichuan Province about 300 kilometers from Chongqing.  I’m fine, no apparent damage to my apartment. My apartment building is solid concrete, but it still shakes.

As I left for English Corner an hour later, I vowed to pack an emergency, grab-and-go bag with my passport, money, whistle, water, Tamiflu, facemask, and other stuff to get me safely out of the country.  With threats of nuclear weapons, Avian flu, earthquakes, and God knows what else, I better be prepared to flee at a moment’s notice.  Who knows why I haven’t done this sooner. 

PC China gave each PCV a 60 page Emergency Action Plan, outlining specific emergencies and evacuation procedures.  When I arrived at English Corner, PCV Jeff, one of the “wardens” is on the phone, going down his list of Chongqing volunteers.  I gave him a quick hug and as he turns away from the phone, he asks,  “Are you ok?”  Clearly I am.  He calls everyone in Chongqing and reports back to the PC headquarters in Chengdu.  Later in the day, PC’s director of safety and security sends out a reassuring email, all PCVs are safely accounted for.

Sadly, there is considerable damage and the death toll is rising.

This afternoon, I took the time to collect what I need, and I'm now ready with a packed bag stuffed with survival necessities; my retired Marine father would approve.