Blk 908, Teriyaki Road, #01-209,
Yuji, Hiroshima, 207-3346
13 March 2011
Dear Uncle Harry,
You must have read the headline news on Japan. Japan is in chaos after the 8.9 earthquake and tsunami that struck 2 days ago (11 March). It happened out of nowhere. It really took the whole Japan by surprise.
I was just in my apartment my parents rented and we were just listening to the news, when suddenly there was a very big tremor. We were all used to these types of tremors, but not such a big one. We started panicking and squatted under the table. We were all so scared. Vases dropped, lamps started swinging uncontrollably from the ceilings.
By the time the tremor stopped, everything was in a mess, but there were no screaming, all quiet. The silence was oppressive. We took a look outside and saw a horrible scene. Buildings had collapsed and bridges were broken, impassable roads and miles of wreckage. Then came the big hit.
We saw a huge wave coming towards us. It was not just a big wave; it was a huge wave of at least 20 meters tall. And it looked like it would swallow us. We were blank for a few seconds and by then, the wave was near us. I prayed in my heart
Fortunately, the prayers were heard. We live to see another day, or rather, live to see all the horror. It was destruction beyond words, and it is on a scale I have never seen before.
Soon, we were evacuated to a temporary site with all the survivors. Shockingly, only a few people made it, most of my neighbours were buried under the rubble.
It was really painful to see this bustling town turning into dead town in a matter of minutes. Despite all the shock Japan received, the Japanese spirit lives on. Rations came after grueling hours of waiting and although everyone was famished, we all queued in an orderly manner. No quarrels, just silence and occasional whimpers and sighs.
Right now, we are living in a temporary shelter with about 4 households. We got along well and share our rations with one another too. With the stoic Japanese spirit, we will rebuild. No doubt about it.
Yours Sincerely,
Alastair
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