So, you lucky three readers (counting Mum and Dad), two posts in two days. This is simply to tell recount for you all the excitement that is a 6.5 grade earthquake.
I have received a lot of slack from my Chilean family for failing to feel the last two temblors in March. (Quick clarification, Chileans categorize earthquakes into two levels, grades 1-6 are temblors, i.e. tremors or trembles and only gringos get nervous about them, 6 and above are terremotos, but only 7 and above are really serious). Anyway, the first one I was on a micro (or in a club, still a little hazy on that one, it was 4:30 in the morning) and the second I was also on a micro (bus). Anyway, my family thinks I am an unobservant slug. They also told me not to wish to feel one because it would happen. Oops. So this one, I had just shut my little old eyes, when the world began to roar. No exaggeration, you can hear the ground groaning several seconds before anything moves. When my bed began shaking back and forth, I realized I should probably get up and before I could get to my door Chilean mama was there and we all huddles in the doorways (strongest places in the house) and clung to each other as the house battered about. For earthquakes above a grade 6 the lights are cut so we were also in the dark. It lasted two minutes which is super long earthquake time, and I did get pretty nervous by the end. It felt like any second the house could be ripped apart ( my house withstood the 8 grader in 2010 so it's fine mum), and then once the big one is done, smaller and smaller ones continue every couple of minutes as the earth settles back down and goes to sleep.
The people do not go to sleep. My heart was beating really rapidly and I was full of adrenaline. The kind one gets when a house does not fall on your head, and you also don't have to run to the hills which is the evacuation plan for when the sea comes rushing to my door. However, I also had two presentations and a paper for today, so I texted the people who might care about my existence and went to sleep. My family proceeded to call every one of there extensive family, friends, and a couple of neighbors came in to discuss the event. I instantly thought of the men trapped in the mines for 6 months (more?). It is not surprising to me that there was such a solidarity among the men in the mines, and such strength and support from the country. This is a country that is used to being ripped apart and put back together. People check in constantly with each other because there is always the possibility that someone didn't make it (two casualties this terremoto time from heart attacks). Although I wanted to sleep, I didn't mind the racket of the two radios and three tv's giving information about the other regions because I know that if I had family in other regions, especially near the sea, I would also want to know whether it was grade 6.5 o 4.5 o 2.4 in Coquimbo. I liked that my family gathered together and I didn't even mind hearing the story of the 2010 earthquake for the 84329438432 time ( I can give you exact coordinates of each of my family members during that time). Retelling the stories, recalling the family, shouting at the windows to the neighbors cements this country together in a way that can resist these bloody earthquakes.
Was going to end on a pensive note, but that's not typical. My family is delighted I have now felt a terremoto, and I received several rude messages from my friends asking if the slumbering whale had awaken. I prefer not to feel another one, not as much for me, but while I stood in my sturdy squat house, I did imagine how I would feel in a tent, wood shack, or worst of all, boat. Brings a whole new horrible meaning to seasickness
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