Little A & Oom Danny during evacuation

We’ve only been living at our apartment for a mere 3 days when the earthquake strike West of Java. Although the quake itself is located underwater some 200 miles away, the effects can clearly be seen on our apartment building.

Crack on our Apt's wall

Fortunately, Lil’ A and I were with my mother and youngest brother, Danny at a mall when it happened. We were just about to have our really late lunch. While I was blowing on my delicious looking curry chicken katsu and Lil’ A happily munching on his fries, Danny asked “Do you feel that?” and before I can ask him any further question, our table started swaying and I felt the floor under my feet moving. It was just for a few seconds but enough to scare the bejesuz out of everyone there. My mom came running (she was about to order her lunch). Everybody stood up, looking confused then someone said “Earthquake!!!”. Danny quickly picked up Little A and I grabbed our purses. Funny thing is Lil’ A who was obviously still hungry was screaming “French fries!!!” so my mom took a handful of the hot fries and we all ran outside. My initial thought was “Oh no, not another bomb! God help us!”

At first my mom told us to take the elevator but I quickly cut her off by saying that’s a big NO NO during an earthquake! Outside the restaurant, we saw people just swarming out of wherever they were before. The escalator was packed with people rushing to leave. We were at the 5^th floor, took one elevator down then one of the mall’s staff directed us to the emergency exit, through the staircase.

During the evacuation, I managed to call Mr. X who said he’s safely outside his hangar at the airport. Thanks God! I tried calling my other brother, Reggy but the line went dead on me.

While we were walking (read: walking! Calmly waking not running down the stairs) along with so many people, some girls almost knocked me out of my feet and managed to pushed my brother (who still have Little A in his arms) aside. These girls were loosing their minds panicking that I had to yell at them. You know what, yes you’re scared …so does everyone else! Yes, you want to get the hell out of that mall…so does everyone else! But does pushing people off out of your way will make you get out any faster? Heck, NO! Luckily there were no stampedes. Gosh!

We got out safely and probably hundreds of people were already outside at the assigned meeting point. Walked to the side of the mall, which are an apartment and some office we saw more people there. Didn’t know what to do we just stood there waiting but I knew I didn’t want to go back to our apartment right away.

Oh and we realized that we haven’t paid for our lunch! Danny said “Darn it, I wished at least my sushi was already there!” LOL! “I thought I was so hungry that I got dizzy and the floor sways on me!” he also said LOL!

Although it is really sad to learn from the news this morning that 44 people had been confirmed dead from the earthquake in West Java, I am so glad that all my family and friends are safe.

Now I got more reasons to get back in shape! Going down the staircase from the 30^th floor won’t be easy!