Tsunami - Fatal and Fateful

Help disaster victims through a donation to Oxfam:
https://secure.ga3.org/02/asia_earthquake04

It's with heavy heart that I write this entry. Most people on the planet must know by now, over 116,000 poor souls died in Sunday's Tsunami. At least 500 million people are homeless. The profound implications of timing and fate flare their nostrils clearly at times like this. It makes one realize what a differerence a series of split decisions can make, in where one might be at any given second, who meets, who becomes friends or lovers, what one learns, or even who lives.

Travelling, and experiencing the kindness of strangers, has put a very human face on the rest of the world. I keep imagining that any of those people killed, might have touched my heart, had I had the chance to meet them.

This feeling is fueled further my realization that I too might have been swept away had my timing been different, since I spent some time in wonderfully vital Penang... amongst my favorite eating grounds in SE Asia. I also met many wonderful and kind people, who shared their stories and met me more than half way when they realized that I was sincerely interested. Many looked after me, in their own simple ways... holding my hand as they helped me cross the caotic streets, treating me to tea, giving me token presents, offering their contact info should I ever need help, recommending things on the menu, etc.

There's a saying that one death is a tragedy, several deaths are a statistic. I've included the following pictures from Malaysia (mostly ignored by US media), to honor the very human aspect of this disaster.

Zulkifli Mohd Nor, 42, lost five of his seven children to the killer waves. The cradle of one year old Siti Zulika Zulkifli is still hanging under the tree at the Pasir Panjang beach in Balik Pulau, Penang. Siti was saved by her father when tsunami hit. Siti survived with her sister, Siti Fairuz, 15, but lost two brothers and three sisters. NST Pix Zahari Zakaria.







Most of the news mentions Sumatra and Sri Lanka, but a web search beyond the US news media shows more details in Malaysia. It's true that Malaysia's statistics aren't as large and sensational as the harder hit nations, but each number represents a constellation of suffering for those close to the victims. Not to mention the trauma of those who are physically unharmed but bearing witness to the tragic aftermath of this natural disaster.

The tsunami death toll in Malaysia has risen to 66 as of midnight Wednesday, most of those being in Penang. The injured was put at 183...108 in Penang, 72 in Kedah and three others in Perak. There are still people missing. The toll might have taken at least 200 more people had an unknown foreign man not shouted a warning in the local language. What a difference one person can make!

Story about the unsung hero:
http://tsunamipenang.blogspot.com/2004/12/stories-unknown-hero.html


PENANG (where I visited):


FIRST WAVE: The waves crashing onto the retaining wall of the E&O hotel in Penang.



SIGNS OF DANGER: Breaking waves churning up the silt along the shoreline.




LOOK AT THAT: British tourist Eric Skitzi pointing at the approaching waves near Batu Feringghi, Penang.