I am looking at maps of the areas where the inconceivable human tragedy of the Tsunami were wreaked. Even though A'af's mailing address says "Jakarta," I know that he lives in a very rural village. With the maps I've seen, it would appear that his area was affected. I also know that there was somewhere here from Bangkok. Even though I haven't heard Bangkok or Jakarta mentioned by name, I am wondering if at least these two people are okay. Does anyone here communicate privately with either of them, and have any information as to their whereabouts and personal well being?
The magnitude of this human tragedy is inconceivable to me. My heart suffers for the thousands who were lost and the grieving of those who remain. I know that there were also tourists from European, the Americas, and other countries there and directly impacted. Even South Africa was affected. With over 60,000 dead at this point and untold numbers to come, I would take at least some comfort in knowing that those who have frequented here are okay.
Does anyone know? I've emailed A'af and asked if he's okay, and to please come to the Forum to let us know. As soon as I find the name of the man from Bangkok, I'll do the same with him, if he listed his email address on his profile. I found "Myfair" in the Memberlist, as being from Chonburi, Thailand. Unfortunately, there is only PM contact available. Likewise, with "Alouetta" from Pretoria, South Africa. I've PM'd them both, regardless. Jo has been here as late as December 28, so thank G~d, she's okay. I can't find the person who said they live in Bangkok. It may be "Myfair" [giving their hometown vs. current living address], but perhaps it was someone who just didn't list where they were from. No, I've just checked, and it definitely does not appear to be the same person, as Myfair only posted once regarding receiving the Leonard Cohen birthday postcard, and did not mention Bangkok.
~ Elizabeth
Tsunami
Thanks for caring, Lizzytysh & the others!
I am fine. My current place of residence, in the Chonburi province (Eastern Thailand) is gladly about 1000 Kilometers away from the destaster area that was struck so heavily some days ago.
To all concerned about the well-being of their friends and loved ones who are currently in Thailand: The destaster struck on Phuket Island as well as some neighboring Islands as Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, plus the surrounding coastal areas around Krabi and Kao Lak.
All other Thailand areas including Koh Samui, Koh Chang, Trat, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Bangkok, Kanchanaburi (just to name a few tourist attractions) are perfectly all right, although in a sad state, as I am.
To my best knowledge, Jakarta and all areas on the Indonesian main island of Java were not affected either. The desaster struck the island of Sumatra. The deadly Tsunamis cannot travel through solid land!
Myfair
I am fine. My current place of residence, in the Chonburi province (Eastern Thailand) is gladly about 1000 Kilometers away from the destaster area that was struck so heavily some days ago.
To all concerned about the well-being of their friends and loved ones who are currently in Thailand: The destaster struck on Phuket Island as well as some neighboring Islands as Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, plus the surrounding coastal areas around Krabi and Kao Lak.
All other Thailand areas including Koh Samui, Koh Chang, Trat, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Bangkok, Kanchanaburi (just to name a few tourist attractions) are perfectly all right, although in a sad state, as I am.
To my best knowledge, Jakarta and all areas on the Indonesian main island of Java were not affected either. The desaster struck the island of Sumatra. The deadly Tsunamis cannot travel through solid land!
Myfair
Dear Myfair ~
It's so good and a relief to see you respond here. I'm glad to know that you're physically okay. I can certainly understand your sadness. Thank you for all the additional information you've given regarding the areas directly impacted. As it so often is with hurricanes and other deadly weather forms [tornadoes, flooding, etc.] in Florida, the only thing that people often know is "Florida," and until they hear from you, are never certain if you're okay. I'm not aware of anyone I know being in any of the affected areas.
I wish I knew who the man was who was from Bangkok. I hope he'll come here, and let us know he's okay. Unfortunately, just because someone is not from an area that was struck doesn't necessarily mean they weren't there at the time. I think A'af may only be able to get computer access on a periodic basis, so that may be the reason for our not hearing from him.
From the photos I've seen, it does appear as you say that the Tsunami cannot travel over solid land. I've been amazed to see the destruction, with mosques still standing.
Thank G~d, Paula, that Megan's friend is okay. Sri Lanka [it seems] was all but totally devastated. It sounds like she is still there. Is she?
~ Lizzy
It's so good and a relief to see you respond here. I'm glad to know that you're physically okay. I can certainly understand your sadness. Thank you for all the additional information you've given regarding the areas directly impacted. As it so often is with hurricanes and other deadly weather forms [tornadoes, flooding, etc.] in Florida, the only thing that people often know is "Florida," and until they hear from you, are never certain if you're okay. I'm not aware of anyone I know being in any of the affected areas.
I wish I knew who the man was who was from Bangkok. I hope he'll come here, and let us know he's okay. Unfortunately, just because someone is not from an area that was struck doesn't necessarily mean they weren't there at the time. I think A'af may only be able to get computer access on a periodic basis, so that may be the reason for our not hearing from him.
From the photos I've seen, it does appear as you say that the Tsunami cannot travel over solid land. I've been amazed to see the destruction, with mosques still standing.
Thank G~d, Paula, that Megan's friend is okay. Sri Lanka [it seems] was all but totally devastated. It sounds like she is still there. Is she?
~ Lizzy
She is still there. There was at least 22,000 killed in Sri Lanka and I think Mayani may have lost some of her family. We spent the best part of a day trying to get thru to her. She is still quite shocked. I don't know what the procedure is going to be in getting British citizens back but the double edged sword is contamination and I hope she and her family fly out as soon as they can.
Yes, Paula, you're right that contamination, malaria, and cholera ~ plus dehydration ~ will become problems very soon. How horrible if Mayani did, in fact, lose anyone in her family. I pray she didn't. There seems to be some uncertainty on it from the way you said it. Were you able to get through by cell phone, or on a landline? It seems incredible that you were able to reach her at all.
Oh dear, Paula. It sounds quite likely that she lost someone then. It will be pure miracle for it to be otherwise. Thank G~d for at least Mayani and her mum being safe. Was it a family vacation for her and her immediate family? How traumatizing this all must be. I know everyone is praying for that miracle, as there are accounts of them throughout this.
I don't know how the figures come to be, but with all the areas still unaccounted for, and the conditions yet to come, I fear in the end the losses will be close to [if not] 200,000.
I don't know how the figures come to be, but with all the areas still unaccounted for, and the conditions yet to come, I fear in the end the losses will be close to [if not] 200,000.
The pictures on the tv can only show a fraction of what happened... it is difficult to imagine the scale of it all and to appreciate the horror of the actual event.
The devastation caused to communities, livelihoods and buildings will have an effect for many, many years. The devastation caused to individuals and families will be there for ever.
I just hope that countries get the aid to where it is most needed as quickly as possible..and to keep sending it.
My thoughts are with those who now need support and also with those going out to help. Fortunately there are now appeals on our tvs for donations in a regularised way that should ensure that materials, supplies etc get there soon..... but we're not just talking about one country needing that help..... this is a massive catastrophe.
I hope many countries send out troops to help... no matter what they are presently doing.
Pete
The devastation caused to communities, livelihoods and buildings will have an effect for many, many years. The devastation caused to individuals and families will be there for ever.
I just hope that countries get the aid to where it is most needed as quickly as possible..and to keep sending it.
My thoughts are with those who now need support and also with those going out to help. Fortunately there are now appeals on our tvs for donations in a regularised way that should ensure that materials, supplies etc get there soon..... but we're not just talking about one country needing that help..... this is a massive catastrophe.
I hope many countries send out troops to help... no matter what they are presently doing.
Pete
1974: Brighton Dome 1976: Birmingham Town Hall 1993: London RAH 2008: Manchester Opera House, London O2, Matlock Bandstand, Birmingham NEC 2009: Liverpool Echo Arena 2013 Birmingham
I am glad that Myfair is safe and hope that is the case for A'af too.
The numbers of fatalities are rising so fast. The last figure I heard was over 80 thousand but it seems to go up by about 10 thousand every hour. This seems to be the greatest disaster for very many years. It will require a huge effort to provide assistance to the areas affected. I hope people will be generous in sending donations to the aid agencies as the countries themselves are just overwhelmed by the scale of the devastation. I have fond memories of travelling in several of the countries affected and feel particularly saddened by recent events.
The numbers of fatalities are rising so fast. The last figure I heard was over 80 thousand but it seems to go up by about 10 thousand every hour. This seems to be the greatest disaster for very many years. It will require a huge effort to provide assistance to the areas affected. I hope people will be generous in sending donations to the aid agencies as the countries themselves are just overwhelmed by the scale of the devastation. I have fond memories of travelling in several of the countries affected and feel particularly saddened by recent events.
I saw some moving footage of it for the first time only tonite, about 15 minutes. You're right that it looks like Armageddon. I've had nightmares of being caught with a tide coming in unexpectedly and this fast, but not this high and deep. My dreams have been ones of sheer terror, as I tried to reach safety. My conclusion about these occasionally recurring dreams has been that I must have drowned in a former life. In this lifetime, I doubt I'll ever be able to fathom the horror that these people suffered. Now, measles has broken out somewhere, maybe Sri Lanka? I don't know if typhoid is a possibility, too, under these conditions. From what I've seen and heard, it seems starvation may end up taking lives, as well. This seems so bigger than life and bigger than death, all at the same time.
67,000 humans found as of last report I heard and yet no animal carcasses were found . The news reporter said something about their "sixth sense." They seemed to know about it in advance. They sought refuge at higher levels. Did the fish tell the birds? Do we really think we are the smartest creatures on the planet? Has the only animal which pays rent forgotten how to live with nature? This is not the first time I have heard about animals surviving while the humans died. When a volcano erupted the humans tried to outrun it and were buried while the horses, pigs and cattle stepped to the side were saved.
