EarthQuake in Japan
The day started so normal it is so strange how quickly life changes. I decided to get out of the apartment which everyone always yells at me to do no matter what. Right before leaving I was contemplating to take my medicine bag or not since I was only going to be out a few hours tops. But I took it.
So I am a survivor of the M8.8 Earthquake here in Japan. When the earthquake first hit I was in a mall in Tokyo on the first floor. It was very scary. The store had hanging light bulbs that were shaking everywhere and I was sitting on a chair just hanging on. It was just me and two store clerks in the store and we just kept shouting how scary and dangerous it is. After it stopped it was almost eerily quite. There were people who were running outside but I had no idea what was going on. I kept walking around the stores until there was an announcement evacuating us. When I finally got out of the mall, I walked to the train station. I noticed all of the stores were closing and the roads were all closed. There was a huge line for the bus. The only problem was I wasn't sure if I could get home via the bus. I went down to the train station where the trains were suspended. I figured how long can they be suspended for? So I decided to wait. I tried calling a friend who lived in the area as well as my parents but the phones were all down. I sent out emails to everyone to see what is going on but no replies. I started waiting and noticed people were lining up to buy food at a small stand so I figured I should get something since it was already 6pm and I hadn't eaten anything. I sat and waited in the train station until finally it seemed weird that nothing was happening. So I figured let me try and get a bus. I went up to the bus stop and tried to read the signs but there really are no buses near me. I then thought since the roads were open maybe I can get a cab. I knew the closer I was to the station the less chance I had of getting one so I tried to walk a few blocks but with no success. I went back to the station and thought to try and ask if there is a bus heading near my station. When I asked a person working for the train station he was like go to Akabane which isn't even CLOSE to my station. When I asked if there is anything else he began to yell at me and I just said what ever. I asked another train worker if the trains would ever start and she said no, not today. So I realized that staying at the train station was becoming useless. I went outside and got on line for the taxi stand which was over 300 meters long and barely moved.
3 hours later, around 9pm it became extremely cold outside. I haven't had dinner. Luckily I had water and these little hot patches to hold onto that I bought at the mall. Finally around 9pm my friend who lived in the area e-mailed me back. She offered me a place at her apartment to sleep the night. It took us some time to meet because the e-mail was lagging all day. When we finally met I could barely stand on my feet. I needed to get some food. We went to two convenience stores which were empty and had little to no food. I got some frozen gyoza and fruit cups to eat. Her place was small and she already had two other roommates but I was so grateful to have shelter. By around midnight I began to be able to get in touch with people hearing that they were okay, but many were stranded.
The next morning there were trains running but not regularly. I was lucky that I got at the station just as the train came. When I got home my neighbor met me and we went to the supermarket to stash up. Word is that there is a nuclear plant that, if it is explodes, will cause many problems in Tokyo and may leave us without gas and electricity. The water in big bottles was sold out but we got some in small and it will hold us for awhile. The hot water is already out now and I just hope it will be on soon. I have only had a bagel to eat since then and haven't really slept for hours but I need to shower and I hope I can soon and I hope everyone else who were not as lucky as me keep on fighting. I hope everyone who is missing someone finds them. Japan is in my prayers and I hope everyone stays safe!
Mood
Worried
So I am a survivor of the M8.8 Earthquake here in Japan. When the earthquake first hit I was in a mall in Tokyo on the first floor. It was very scary. The store had hanging light bulbs that were shaking everywhere and I was sitting on a chair just hanging on. It was just me and two store clerks in the store and we just kept shouting how scary and dangerous it is. After it stopped it was almost eerily quite. There were people who were running outside but I had no idea what was going on. I kept walking around the stores until there was an announcement evacuating us. When I finally got out of the mall, I walked to the train station. I noticed all of the stores were closing and the roads were all closed. There was a huge line for the bus. The only problem was I wasn't sure if I could get home via the bus. I went down to the train station where the trains were suspended. I figured how long can they be suspended for? So I decided to wait. I tried calling a friend who lived in the area as well as my parents but the phones were all down. I sent out emails to everyone to see what is going on but no replies. I started waiting and noticed people were lining up to buy food at a small stand so I figured I should get something since it was already 6pm and I hadn't eaten anything. I sat and waited in the train station until finally it seemed weird that nothing was happening. So I figured let me try and get a bus. I went up to the bus stop and tried to read the signs but there really are no buses near me. I then thought since the roads were open maybe I can get a cab. I knew the closer I was to the station the less chance I had of getting one so I tried to walk a few blocks but with no success. I went back to the station and thought to try and ask if there is a bus heading near my station. When I asked a person working for the train station he was like go to Akabane which isn't even CLOSE to my station. When I asked if there is anything else he began to yell at me and I just said what ever. I asked another train worker if the trains would ever start and she said no, not today. So I realized that staying at the train station was becoming useless. I went outside and got on line for the taxi stand which was over 300 meters long and barely moved.
3 hours later, around 9pm it became extremely cold outside. I haven't had dinner. Luckily I had water and these little hot patches to hold onto that I bought at the mall. Finally around 9pm my friend who lived in the area e-mailed me back. She offered me a place at her apartment to sleep the night. It took us some time to meet because the e-mail was lagging all day. When we finally met I could barely stand on my feet. I needed to get some food. We went to two convenience stores which were empty and had little to no food. I got some frozen gyoza and fruit cups to eat. Her place was small and she already had two other roommates but I was so grateful to have shelter. By around midnight I began to be able to get in touch with people hearing that they were okay, but many were stranded.
The next morning there were trains running but not regularly. I was lucky that I got at the station just as the train came. When I got home my neighbor met me and we went to the supermarket to stash up. Word is that there is a nuclear plant that, if it is explodes, will cause many problems in Tokyo and may leave us without gas and electricity. The water in big bottles was sold out but we got some in small and it will hold us for awhile. The hot water is already out now and I just hope it will be on soon. I have only had a bagel to eat since then and haven't really slept for hours but I need to shower and I hope I can soon and I hope everyone else who were not as lucky as me keep on fighting. I hope everyone who is missing someone finds them. Japan is in my prayers and I hope everyone stays safe!
Mood
Worried