9.0 Magnitude
Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 1:40 am
Tokyo, Japan
Friday, March 11th, 2011
2:30pm
I'm on a train headed for Yokohama, to meet my wife. We planned to go to CostCo today. We've had our eye on a nice leather couch they sell, and after five months we were finally going to purchase it.
2:37pm
Call from wife. I'm running late. Earlier, I discovered at the depot that my train card only had a few yen left on it, so I had to hurry back home for change.
One year we've been here, and after renewing our visas last month, another year more. To buy a couch would seal the deal, a sign of permanence.
2:48pm
The train is pulling into a stop, a small station. The cabin begins to rock. An earthquake, not uncommon. The shaking doesn't die down, though. It continues to ramp up its intensity. The train doors burst open. An announcement in Japanese blares over the loudspeaker. Outside, metal cables sway, banging into the steel rafters of the station. Old and young eyes alike look around, wide with wonder.
I feel a vibration in my pocket; it's a call from my wife. In a panicked voice, she asks: "Are you all right? Where are you? (*people screaming in background*) It's a bad one. I love yo-" Line went dead.
Friday, March 11th, 2011
2:30pm
I'm on a train headed for Yokohama, to meet my wife. We planned to go to CostCo today. We've had our eye on a nice leather couch they sell, and after five months we were finally going to purchase it.
2:37pm
Call from wife. I'm running late. Earlier, I discovered at the depot that my train card only had a few yen left on it, so I had to hurry back home for change.
One year we've been here, and after renewing our visas last month, another year more. To buy a couch would seal the deal, a sign of permanence.
2:48pm
The train is pulling into a stop, a small station. The cabin begins to rock. An earthquake, not uncommon. The shaking doesn't die down, though. It continues to ramp up its intensity. The train doors burst open. An announcement in Japanese blares over the loudspeaker. Outside, metal cables sway, banging into the steel rafters of the station. Old and young eyes alike look around, wide with wonder.
I feel a vibration in my pocket; it's a call from my wife. In a panicked voice, she asks: "Are you all right? Where are you? (*people screaming in background*) It's a bad one. I love yo-" Line went dead.