Monday, May 12, 2008

China's Earthquake Update

I know we will do a much longer blog on the quake...but just wanted everyone to know...we are all well... a little shaken yes but fine. We are off to Beijing tomorrow...it was scary!!

Jeff and I had just dropped the girls off and we crossing the street. A cart full of wood tipped over; we looked to each other and both silently denied having touched it. Then people started to run out of buildings and we knew something was up.



We both thought that one of the many construction sites had taken a turn for the worse (which would not have surprised us greatly given that they work on these sites 7 days a weeks, night and day). We just couldn't figure out where the problem was.

Everyone was on the streets and Jeff and I realized that we needed to get out of the road. It was not until we saw women praying and folks filing out of every building did we realize that it was an earthquake. Although cranes were close by, we walked back to the girls school to make sure they were ok.



When we got there all the kids were sitting outside, some were visibly shaken (as were we) but we couldn't go in. We smiled at Julia from afar and did a thumbs up. She seemed ok. We returned to make sure Jeff's brother (who had arrived 3 days earlier and was napping) was ok.

After picking Kyle up and seeing everyone's shock, we returned to get the kids. At 4 am there was another tremor and the doors shook...luckily that was all.

We go to Beijing this evening for 5 days...for fun and relaxation we hope. Jeff will run the Great Wall marathon...and we'll enjoy Beijing!!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Whew! So glad you all are fine.

pageworker7 said...

Thank heavens, and thank you for posting to let us know!
Kelly

Malia said...

Wow! Couldn't believe the headlines this morning. I'm so glad you are all OK! xoxox

Malia said...

Looking at maps and photos from the earthquake it looks like Chundu (sp?) where you just visited the Pandas was much more seriously hit... What timing -- so glad that you weren't there when it happened! xoxox

Anonymous said...

We have been thinking about you here back at urban development. Glad to hear you are well. Good luck in the Marathon!

carolyn rodabough said...

I scrolled down and looked at your prior blog of your wonderful visit to Chengdu - it was chilling... to know you were there so recently. I can never tell you how thankful I am that you were back in Xian. I cannot even imagine the sadness, grief, and suffering of those families who lost their loved ones. We love and miss you ! MiMi

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad you're all ok! I'm at Mimi and Pop's now and they were showing me your blog! Take care of my Daddy and make sure he doesn't get scared... he's not used to roaming all over the world like you guys! haha! have a great time! I miss you! Love you!
Lyndsay