From: amy_m_sanders@hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 08 Sep 1999
Subject: Drama queens... EVERYWHERE!
And then the earth shook...
Did anyone know there was an earthquake in Athens? Didn't think so. I mean, did anyone ever know there were 3 cyclones circling Fiji. Precisely. Not 5 minutes after arriving on a bus from the Peloponnese to Athens, there was a 5.9, followed by a gazillion aftershocks. Luckily, no real damage in central Athens which comes as a surprise given the cities construction. This is no California city that just sways on even the most severe quakes.
The Mediterraneans thought this a message from God, said about 18 hail marys apiece, shut their stores down on account of emotional trauma, and went home to their families. Oh, the DRAMA! One woman fainted (or feigned a fainting spell) and rambled something (albeit loudly) in Greek until she realized the quake had ceased. Women walked arm in arm for hours with looks of terror masked on their faces.
As most hotels/hostels/motels closed down and threw tourists on the streets until bldg engineers could check things out (unfortunately, there are only so many level-headed licensed engineers in the city), Liz and I settled (truly) on the shabbiest of places for a nights rest. The owner was happy to take our money despite the cracks up and down the walls. Woke up at 6 AM this morning to another central 4 or 5.0. The cracks are bigger now. Get me out of these cities that are unequipped for this kind of disaster.
So, Liz and I are leaving Athens. For Indonesia... again. Thought I'd keep you posted. We have big dreams and a business "idea". We are off on Friday to pursue it. We'll be in Bali for ~4 days and then Java for ~3 weeks. After all, nothing ventured, nothing gained. The thought of a standard 9 to 5, behind the desk kind of job fills me with horror. So I'm doing something about it... hopefully. Cross your fingers and send me 18 hail marys. Regardless of the outcome, I'll be home sooner rather than later.
Be easy on the questions. I'll answer them all in due time *if* things work out :-).
Yours,
Amy