Translated by Danielle Reeve
«Currently, life here in Sendai is pretty surreal. Fortunately I am lucky to be surrounded by friends who have been helping me out enormously. They have actually taken me into their house since my rundown shack has become worthy of its name. We share everything: water, food and a kerosene heater.
At night we all sleep in one room. In the evenings, we have candlelit dinners and we tell each other our stories. There is a very beautiful and warm atmosphere. During the day, we try to clean up the mud and scrap from our houses. If a new water supply is opened people queue up, otherwise they stay in their cars and watch the news on their GPS.
A person who has regained access to running water will automatically put up a sign in front of the house inviting neighbors to use it. It is really amazing to see that there have been no fights amongst people and no looting here, even when doors are left wide open as it is recommended during an earthquake. All you can hear is: “It is like being back in the good old days where everybody helped each other out “.
The earthquakes have not stopped. Last night there was one every 15 minutes. We spent the night listening to the never ending commotion of ambulance sirens and helicopters hovering over us. Last night, we had running water for a few hours and today for half a day. We also had access to some electricity this afternoon. However, we are still without gas. Improvements vary according to each district. Some areas have water and no electricity and vice-versa.
Nobody has had a shower for days. We are filthy but that is the least of our problems. I like this new feeling where the superfluous becomes irrelevant. We are living to the full, intuitively, instinctively, heartily and we are surviving not individually but as a whole community.
Different worlds stand strangely side by side: An untouched residence with its futons and washing hanging out in the sun remains erect amid destroyed houses; some people queue for hours for water and food, while others walk their dogs.
There are also some beautiful details such as, the perfectly silent nights undisturbed by the presence of cars or people. The starlit sky is also wonderful, usually I could only see one or two stars. Now the mountains surrounding Sendai look like breathtaking shadows stepping out of the cool night. Japanese people are also incredible. Every day I call round to my house as I did today, to make use of the recently restored electricity to email you, and every day, fresh supplies of food and water are left outside my doorstep. I don´t have the slightest idea by whom.
Elderly men in green hats go from house to house making sure everybody is alright. Everyone asks you if you need help. I haven´t seen any sign of fear so far. If anything, people are resigned but they are not afraid or panicked. We have, however, been warned about possible aftershocks even major earthquakes in the next months. The ground is indeed still shaking and roaring.
Luckily, I live in an area of Sendai which is higher up and a little bit more resistant so up until now we have been relatively spared. Last night, I was the beneficiary of another kind deed when a friend´s husband brought me fresh food and water from the countryside. Through this experience, I am beginning to understand that a new cosmic level is being reached worldwide, and my heart is opening up more and more.
My brother asked me if I felt small and insignificant after what had just happened. No, I don´t, actually I feel that I am part of something greater than myself. This “world re-birth” is harsh yet beautiful!”