It is hard for us to think about our trip to Chengdu.
We had such a magical time there but when I go to bed at night, I keep thinking about the kind monks who took us in at the monastery at the top of the mountain. The monastery was/is right between the epicenter of the earthquake and Chengdu.... We cannot imagine that the monastery made it but we have yet to hear anything.
It will take weeks if not longer for people to make the four hour trek up the mountain. I know that I would never return now...
The monks were young and old and they celebrated Hana's 11th birthday with us. We were the only people staying there and it was such an incredible experience.
A couple of seconds can change everything....
The girls are back to school. Parents still linger in front wondering if they are doing the right thing. What if another aftershock hits and it is closer to Xi'an. We've had over 160 aftershocks that register more than 4. We haven't felt them but wonder when this will all be over.
The governments now worries and admits that a harder phase awaits the country: rebuilding and developing the region. Within a week, they expect to have temporary housing for between 50,000-100,000 people. Given that 5 million are homeless, this is certainly not enough but it is a start. Factories and people are working round the clock (not that new or surprising for China) and people/students are descending on the area to volunteer and help out. They are looking for foster parents to take care of the thousands of children who are stranded and possibly orphaned by the experience.
We are looking forward to less eventful weeks in China.
1 comment:
I've certainly been thinking about your trip to Chengdu, and how it was the first time I'd heard of the place, and how very much we're hearing about it now.
I woke to a shaking bed at 2:30 this a.m. and my first thought was "earthquake!" after all that's been in the news, but it turned out to be the dog scared of thunder.
Glad you are all safe.
Kelly
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