A Quiet Grief

Thanks for all the phone calls and emails, everyone. Yes, I am fine. When the tsunami struck, my sister and I were spending Christmas in Goa, on the west coast of India, which was only mildly affected. We were briefly stranded in a remote fishing village because of the tide (more on that little adventure in another blog entry!), but got out safely and were never in danger.

From Goa we headed south, but our plan to visit the southernmost tip of India (where the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea, and the Bay of Bengal meet) had to be aborted, because those beaches were still closed and cleanup was underway.

Yesterday, there was some additional panic when an alert went out that more tsunamis were on the way, including on the west coast beaches where we were. On our journey back, people at the train station gathered around TV sets, listening to the reports and silently watching footage of the destruction. It reminded me of the group silently gathered around a TV at work on the morning of September 11, watching, in stunned silence, a different kind of destruction.

We arrived back in Chennai this morning. For the most part, the city looks the same as when we left. The coastal areas that had the most damage are still closed off, so we are really not seeing first hand the kind of damage that is being shown on TV and in the papers. Marina Beach is still closed, though we got a glimpse of some of the damage there on the way back from the train station.

The destruction was eerily selective. My apartment building, which is virtually on the beach, was untouched. A very short distance away, whole fishing villages were swept away.

Tonight, the beach outside my window has been officially reopened, but it has few visitors.

On a day that would normally be filled with New Year celebrations, there is just quiet grief.

Comments

[shannon clubb]

Oh I have waited for this letter from you.... I knew if you were ok we would hear from you as soon as you could write. Must say I almosted called the Hot Line number to give them your name and make sure you were ok. I am sure all of the destruction there has really touched your heart. I am so sad for those around.

[Dale B.]

So good to finally hear from you! We are all stunned and saddened by this tragedy. Please take care of yourself in the ensuing weeks.

[Clare]

Basia, I have been checking your blog 2, 3, 4 times a day, waiting to hear from you. Please let us know if there is some way we can help those affected.

[Denise]

Basia,

So glad to hear that you are well and safe. Yes I am blown away from the devastation that I see on TV. It's horrific and I am deeply saddened, but again glad to know you are ok. Do take care.
Denise