Going Home, More Tsunami Stories
As I wander the streets of Bangkok (again, I have to trek to get a temp passport and arrange flights back home), people stare at me. Even an able-bodied farung (Thai for foreigner and I found out at breakfast also the word for guava fruit) takes their lives into their own hands as a pedestrian. So to see someone in crutches (btw, my leg is badly cut up at the knee, not broken and was properly stitched at Phuket's international hospital "mass casualty zone") must be rare. Some people ask what happened? Others seem to intuitively guess.
One or two words usually suffice. "Ko Phi Phi" or "tsunami" usually does it.
I will be headed home Thursday, Dec 30th thanks to the great service of the American Express office for State Department workers at the U.S. Embassy - they even sent a courier to deliver the tickets to my hotel as it was obvious I'd not want to wait for two hours.
I continue to hear more personal accounts.
On the way to Phuket airport on the back of a pickup yesterday, an Aussie was relating his tale. He was staying at a high-rise in Patong Beach, Phuket when he felt the bed and walls shaking at approximately 8:15 a.m. His wife nudged him him to stop the clowning around. He says, "It's not me." He looked down at the hotel pool below and verified he just had experienced an earthquake.
But he didn't put two plus two together later that morning. He went out to get some postcards just as the tsunami was heading ashore. He grabbed onto a metal bench (he showed us the scratched up arms where he held on tight) and rode the wave - literally.
He was separated from his wife for two days. He calls up his sons again and they tell him, "Mum was on the tele." The Perth newstation had done a story on his wife looking for her missing husband. She had escaped to the hills in those last two days.
When we arrived at the airport I finally met his wife as she had been in the front seat of the pickup. She was a sweetheart in asking if there was anything we needed (they were able to go back a few days after the tidal wave to retrieve their luggage). And I finally had a new pair of underwear as the bathing suit was getting a little tired.
For every story of reunification there seems to be those with not so happy endings.
Unfortunately, the Bangkok Post has no photos on its website, but in the December 29 issue, there is a picture of a few people arriving in Bangkok on the C-130 I was on yesterday. It included the Swedish woman and Finnish boy I mentioned yesterday. Behind them was a British gentleman with his arm in a sling. He was seated in the plane next to the Swedish woman's four-year-old daughter. I remember he had been playing and entertaining her on the plane.
My boyfriend ran into him again today (I stayed in my hotel room much of today). He said he was on Khao Lak (one of the hardest hit areas) when the tsunami hit. He had climbed into a tall tree and held on for his life when the 25-foot wave hit Khao Lak. But he's never seen his wife since.
A lot of people had written and asked if there is anything you can do for me. Yes, this was a costly vacation, but nothing compared to the losses of so many others. If you'd like to do something, please contribute in any way you can to the tsunami disaster relief fund. And consider visiting Thailand or another affected area next year or perhaps place it high on your list-of-places-to-visit.
I have a lot more coming, and will be journaling all through my flight home. Thanks again for all the thoughtful emails and comments.
We pray for you everyday.
Posted by: Tony | Dec 29, 2004 at 06:36 AM
So glad you're safe. Please tell more stories. It seems if I can visualize a person, I can pray better for them. Aside from contributions and writing on my blogs, praying is all I can do.
Legacy Matters http://www.estatevaults.com/lm
Business of Life http://www.estatevaults.com/bol
Posted by: Jill | Dec 29, 2004 at 09:08 AM
Hi Evelyn, I'm a Thai reader of your blog in Thailand, been reading for about 2 months. When I first read that you were coming to Thailand, I thought that you would have a wonderful vacation here, and I knew you would love the beaches.
But then the Tsunamis occurred and I felt so sorry for you. But I'm very happy you're ok and I'm very happy that you feel that the authorities here have been good to you.
This event is really uniting everyone here in Thailand and everyone is doing their part to help.
(I'm in Bangkok, was here when the thing happened.)
Posted by: Chanon | Dec 29, 2004 at 10:30 AM
hi there,
im glad dat u're safe.i happen to see a your link and i came here to read about your encounter with the tsunami. god bless. hope you'll get well soon =)
Posted by: verinee* | Dec 29, 2004 at 10:32 AM
Evelyn, my thoughts are with you and your family at this difficult time and I'm glad that you'll be heading home tomorrow.
Posted by: Rob Garrett | Dec 29, 2004 at 11:17 AM
Happy Landings. And may the road rise to meet you.
Posted by: Bernie Goldbach | Dec 30, 2004 at 12:05 AM
Evelyn - I hope you have a safe trip back home. I will be thinking about you. We have been through a lot this week!
http://phukettsunami.blogspot.com
Rick
Posted by: Rick | Dec 30, 2004 at 08:21 AM
I, too, am very relieved to hear that you're safe and on your way home!
Posted by: Mindwalker | Dec 30, 2004 at 08:54 AM
God Bless you! I am happy even though I dont know you that you will be returnin safely to your home.
Posted by: Mariah | Dec 30, 2004 at 09:31 AM
Hello,
You mentioned that the US Embassy had not been helpful and I wanted to comment on that. One hears that a lot and I wonder if contacting your congressman once you are home, would prevent future ineffectiveness from the US Embassy. Good luck.
Posted by: Kathryn | Dec 30, 2004 at 01:34 PM
I, FEL SO SORRY FOR THOSE PEOPLE I SEENTHE NEWS AN THE FIRTS TIME I SAW THE NEWS I BRAKE DOWN AN CRY BECAUSE I
SEE THE PAIN THEY GOIN THRU IHOPE THINGS WILL GET BETTER
Posted by: al | Dec 30, 2004 at 06:31 PM
Evelyn,
I am a New Yorker who has been transfixed to the TV and the internet since the horror of the tsunami occurred. I just found your account of what happened this evening and I thank you for sharing your story as it has given all of us a first hand account of what actually happened. I simply cannot imagine the horror. My eyes have welled up with tears each time I see the devastation on the news and hear that the body count has risen yet again.
Please take care of yourself, Evelyn, and that knee, of course. And know that many of us out here are happy that you are home safely, and are on the road to healing.
Posted by: Pina | Dec 30, 2004 at 07:49 PM
Evelyn,
Good to know you are with us and doing OK...hang in there, keep your chin up. peace
ZBS
Posted by: Biri | Dec 30, 2004 at 11:02 PM
hi there
Im from New Zealand, and since the tsunami have been searching the net for stories with good endings. Im gald your ok (besides the knee), and hope you keep people informed with how things are going for you.I can't imagine the horror and lost of so many souls.Good luck to you Everlyn you are a truely blessed soul.
Posted by: sharon | Jan 05, 2005 at 08:07 PM
We have set up a site that allows those affected by the tsunami can go to tell their stories and share pictures and messages.
We hope this web site will offer comfort for all those who has been affected in some way in the days and months ahead.
http://www.tsunamistories.net/
Posted by: Diane Cox | Jan 08, 2005 at 10:55 AM
you i was in the tsunami and i got a beter story than that
Posted by: thomas | Aug 25, 2007 at 06:06 PM