today we have decided to venture further afield... we feel that we're in a safe little bubble and from what we're seeing and hearing, the devastation less than two kilometers away is unimaginable...

last night we didn't sleep very soundly... with every little sound or movement we woke with a start to stare at eachother (not needing to say it, but wondering... uh oh... is this another??? do we need to make the move, grab our pre-packed emergency bag and head for what we've decided to be our safe haven (a small field/soccer park across the street devoid of any overhanging threats that could fall)? and there were tremors... but nothing too substantial. the most haunting thing was the intense electrical storm that was going on overhead... lightening, which at first wasn't accompanied by thunder or rain... when the thundering began it's growl was too similar to the sound of the earthquake to allow us very much calm. i wondered if such heightened activity might be a sign that an erruption was pending...? anyway, at our homestay, we decided that a better indicator might be the behaviour of the cats... they seem to have some ultra-sensitivity to coming phenomena, no? haha.

we hope to find some organized relief efforts underway on our sojourn into the disaster zone... and will try to lend a hand where possible. will let you know more upon our return.