This time last year, I felt like I was in the safest place on earth.
This time last year, I never could have imagined what would happen today.
Today, Friday 11th March 2011, there was a massive earthquake that hit Japan in the middle of the afternoon. It measured 8.9 on the Richter scale - the biggest in Japan since records began, the fifth biggest ever recorded in the world.
The earthquake brought with it a 30 foot wave that came crashing through the town tearing down buildings like they were made of paper.
It has sent shock waves around the world, as far away as Washington and California have been on Tsunami alert. New Zealand, not even recovered yet from their own earthquake early last month and a Tsunami two weeks ago caused by a quake in Chile, yet again has been waiting for the worst
Footage in Japan has shown cars frantically driving away with the wave of black sludge steadily gaining pace on them until they are washed away, seen later bobbing bottoms up in the water like corks.
Ships have been consumed by the ocean, trains have disappeared from the land.
Buildings have collapsed, burned, been washed away.
People have been frightened, hurt, killed, heart broken by this earthquake.
This time last year, the kind, gentle, friendly people of Japan did not see this coming and neither did the rest of the world.
I want to share with you, some photos from my happy times in Japan. I hope the people can soon remember the happy times and return to normality in the best way they can.
 |
| A sunny meadow in the heart of a metropolis |
 |
| Cheerful faces everywhere |
 |
| Cold tea in a can |
 |
| The sugary scent of cherry blossom hovering in my nostrils |
 |
| Dogs in dungarees |
 |
| Happy people, always laughing |
 |
| Monkeys fishing for Koi Carp |
These are the things I remember most fondly when I think of my time in Japan.
This post is for the people who were lucky enough to survive the day that rocked the world and in memory of those who didn't. I hope you are all safe tonight.
Kat x
This is wonderfully written and heartfelt.
ReplyDeleteWow. It has been such heartbreaking news to see such destruction. I can only imagine the turmoil that has been caused.
Prayers for Japan.
xx
I remember as if it were yesterday, reading your posts and seeing the photos. How sad..I am sorry for your saddness to. It must be difficult to know that things today are not as they were then.
ReplyDeleteWe have been on Tsunami warning all day and into the evening..I think it has lifted, guess I had better check before bed...so very sad.