Fears amid sheding tears

So I'm back in Thailand for a while, as if you have read my previous post, then you'd have already cottoned on! :) However, all locals in the countries surrounding the Indian ocean almost dread the coming of December 26th. Of course, because it is a reminder of the fateful Sumatra-Andaman Earthquake that caused vast devastation in coastal communities in South and South East Asia.


Above: Beach Road, Patong Beach, Phuket, Thailand

My family lives in Thailand so I was there that day two years ago when the tsunami hit. Looking back at the pictures still sends shivers down my spine. Walking along the road today, you would have no idea that just two years ago, three deadly waves had ripped across these shores and taken the lives of so many. According to the National Geographic website,

The earthquake that generated the great Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 is estimated to have released the energy of 23,000 Hiroshima-type atomic bombs, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

When the tsunami hit, I volunteered, everyone did. It didn't matter who you were, or where you were from. It was one of those times where the human race just came together to help in any way they could. The tsunami had caught everyone off guard and it was a natural disaster that rocked the world. It wasn't man-made and the culprit couldn't be fought, it was just us uniting as one.

So then, a few days ago, when the 2 year anniversary came, mourners and those who just want to remember came to the island, as well as other previously devastated areas, to pay their respects. However, at the same time in Taiwan, an earthquake had just occurred disrupting telephone lines, internet and underwater cables over most of Asia. Once again, man kind was powerless to stop the spontaneous effects of the environment, however the worst part was how reminiscent it was of the two years prior. The helplessness, dread and fear that creeps in to your heart is almost too much to take. According to a Yahoo News site , the earthquake

"set off a tsunami alert on the second anniversary of the Dec. 26, 2004, waves and quake that killed 230,000 in nine countries from the Indonesian islands to east Africa."

Every person shuddered at the alert. The idea that at least this time we would have been warned did little to appease the scare. Because really there isn't a lot that can be done to protect your homes or livelihood. The world we live in can be a beautiful place and yet on the opposite parallel, it can be a dark, dangerous and uncertain. Amid the falling tears for all those lives that were lost, we were being reminded it could happen again.