The Earthquake
11th Mar 2011, I was having a shower when magnitude 9.0 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami happened.
It was quite dramatic as all those expatriates from diverse background including some Japanese strived to be the first to leave Japan. Even my embassy contacted me via emails and phone calls to confirm my urgent contact information and safety. It was like the end of the world, or precisely the end of Japan, especially later on when radiation exposure hazard panicked the rest of local residents.
I first time witnessed absolutely empty supermarkets, nothing to sell inconvenient 24 hrs.’ convenience store, no passengers queuing on always packed train stations, rarely any pedestrians walking on the streets. All friends were worried of me, urging me to get the hell out of Japan a.s.a.p.
But I was and am still here for the time being.
23rd Apr 2011, my life became upside down by arrival of an express mail.
In fact, the consequence of this mail is worse than what that biggest earthquake brought into my life.
Eventually I started to see what has been going on in the past several years. A good title for this “experience” should be: Self-deceit.
Now, routines lives in Tokyo have back to normal though recovery surely will take a long time and great efforts.
Likewise, certain time and struggle will be necessary for me to get over this stumbling block.
Anyway, hurdle will be crossed over regardless of height.
Life will continue in spite of interruptions.
I will move on.
It was quite dramatic as all those expatriates from diverse background including some Japanese strived to be the first to leave Japan. Even my embassy contacted me via emails and phone calls to confirm my urgent contact information and safety. It was like the end of the world, or precisely the end of Japan, especially later on when radiation exposure hazard panicked the rest of local residents.
I first time witnessed absolutely empty supermarkets, nothing to sell inconvenient 24 hrs.’ convenience store, no passengers queuing on always packed train stations, rarely any pedestrians walking on the streets. All friends were worried of me, urging me to get the hell out of Japan a.s.a.p.
But I was and am still here for the time being.
23rd Apr 2011, my life became upside down by arrival of an express mail.
In fact, the consequence of this mail is worse than what that biggest earthquake brought into my life.
Eventually I started to see what has been going on in the past several years. A good title for this “experience” should be: Self-deceit.
Now, routines lives in Tokyo have back to normal though recovery surely will take a long time and great efforts.
Likewise, certain time and struggle will be necessary for me to get over this stumbling block.
Anyway, hurdle will be crossed over regardless of height.
Life will continue in spite of interruptions.
I will move on.
