Earthquake Update

I was in Rawamangun last night, when I ran into my second cousin, Dandi, who had just got back from his supposed vacation in Central Java. He was out in Purwokerto that early morning when the earthquake happened in Jogja, but he was soon on his way to the disaster area. Of course what he told me couldn’t have been much different from what I’d been seeing on tv, but coming from someone who’d actually been there, it sounded so real.

Right after the quake, people feared a tsunami would come. They fled in panic, not knowing where to go. Their only sense was to head north, away from the South Sea. Around Mas Nur’s (Dandi’s brother) neighborhood, people were getting ready to burry an elderly man who had passed away earlier that morning. As they were carrying the body, the tsunami issue spread. Amidst the panic, the body was left on the road as the people carrying it ran for safety. Poor man, may he rest in peace.

Another of Mas Nur’s neighbor was injured and brought to the hospital. The halls outside were full of bodies; breathing and not. So packed was the place that Mas Nur’s neighbor had to wait near the parking lot where 15 dead bodies laid beside.

Although my closest family are safe, some distant relatives suffered from the disaster. As of today, four relatives’ home have been affected, and a distant cousin in Prambanan had to have her arm amputated.

For one or two nights, Jogja was out of electricity. Walking from Tugu to the South, Dandi says it was pitch dark-black. It had rained that first night. The ringroad was jammed, with cars, ambulances, and help on the way. What normally was a 15 minute ride, took more than 2 hours. Imagine the ruins: houses collapsed, hotels split in two. Imagine the smell: of dust and bodies departed.

As days go by, people become weary. Bodies continue to be uncovered. People are still living in tents, relying on help. They have nothing left. Just their bodies and shattered souls. Their Javanese stomachs are starting to go soar. As Dandi says, they’ve been eating too much instant noodles. They long not just for food, but for rice. How much longer must they endure these conditions? How long will it take ’till Jogja recovers? For how long will people keep sending help; until they forget or until another disaster distracts their attention? Could things ever be normal again? Not in a long time. Maybe never, for the scars and the memories will always remain.