Well if my actual work projects aren’t reason enough to
write a blog post an earthquake sure does the trick.
Today, Wednesday, September 5th, 2012, started exactly
how I thought it would as I was falling asleep last night. I got out of bed,
ate breakfast, dressed myself and headed out the door on my SuperPro bike. I
rode into Liberia to meet up with three other volunteers and our twelve
co-teachers for our monthly conversation club. We meet on the second floor of
the Antigua Escuela Santa Ana to share activities for classes and to get the
teachers speaking English with people other than their first graders. We were
just beginning an open forum on classroom issues and solutions when I felt what
seemed like a giant ogre running up the stairs or a huge train coming through
town. The conversation silenced as everyone looked at each other with wide
eyes. As the rumbling grew and the building began to shake the Costa Rican
teachers yelled “earthquake!” as the other volunteers and I asked “are we in an
earthquake?” (huh?? wuh??)
I stood up and did a couple of turns looking around the room
as I tried to remember my pre-service training on earthquake protocol. I didn’t
remember a thing but I noticed all of the teachers huddled in the door frame so
I headed over to the inside wall of the room and grabbed hold. We were all clinging
on to something as the trembles picked up and the entire building began swaying
from side to side. As I widened my stance to surfing status it finally hit me
that we are on the second floor of ANTIGUA escuela. Just how antique is this
school?!
The entire earthquake lasted for around thirty seconds and
as soon as it stopped we headed downstairs to open area, preparing for any
aftershock. It wasn’t until after the event that I realized that I was super
tense. I listened to the teachers talking about how strong the earthquake was,
but seeing as I have nothing to compare it to, I honestly didn’t know if it was
really a big deal. I did wonder if it was big enough to reach the news in the
States and I was surprised when I had two emails within twenty minutes of the
quake, asking if I was okay. The other volunteers and I also got a bunch of
texts from other volunteers and our bosses called us to make sure that everyone
was fine.
We waited outside for about thirty minutes and then sent the
teachers home to be with their families as that is typical procedure for
schools and companies. As I walked back up the stairs to gather my things I realized
that I was still a little shaky on my feet and that I had a headache. I could
just picture my brain rattling in my skull.
The other volunteers and I hung around Liberia for a bit of
the day and talked about the experience. I am still shocked that it was an
earthquake of 7.6 magnitude. It felt big, but 7.6 is really big! In Liberia and
El Capulin, everyone is safe and there isn’t much structural damage. There are
quite a few houses with damage closer to the epicenter, as well as a hospital
in Puntarenas, landslides in other areas of the country and two people died, but
for what we were hit with we are lucky that there isn’t more ruin.
I am thankful for all of your thoughts and prayers and I
know that it made a huge difference. It’s amazing to see all the love that is
sent to Costa Rica, not only today but I am sure every day.
And just FYI, I’ll be home in a week and cannot wait! See
you all sooooon!
