Reached Tokyo on 11th March 2011 (大震災の日)

I am currently in the attachment program in Japan for 2 years.

Before i came to Japan, I was very keen, even planned to go to Disneyland. (have to report to head office in Tokyo on Friday 11th march and free Saturday and Sunday before flying to Kumamoto, Kyushu). But, unfortunately, on that day itself, earthquake struck and followed by tsunami. So, for the next 2 days, just holed up in the hotel. 

Although i had the comfort of a bed and food and hot water for bath, i was too scared on the first night to sleep, I was fully clothed with socks and jacket at night, So I would be able to run if the quake happened again. And I kept feeling the aftershock. I finally got some sleep on the third night. Felt like a zombie!

On the first day, right after the quake, the hotel staff asked us to stay in lobby. Everybody else just glued to the TV. The tsunami alert was very worrying. From the TV footage, the tsunami really caused a huge havoc. Although my Japanese skill is limited, I could feel the anxiousness from the tone of the TV presenter. I haven't recover from the shock of the earthquake when I heard about the nuclear reactor leakage. I was hoping that my company would call us back to Malaysia. but, of course it didn't happen.

Me and another colleague have our meal in nearby Tokyo station. All the bullet trains and local trains stopped running. So, there were a lot of people camping inside the station. Long queue formed in front of the pay phone because hand phone line was down, long queue formed in front of toilet too. Some even went to the hotel I stayed to use the toilet because the queue was too long. I heard some people walk for 7 hours to reach home. On that day itself, bicycles were sold out. Taxis and buses enjoyed brisk business that day too. Those who stayed too far chose to stay in the hotel, however most of the hotels were full. All the instant noodles and breads were missing from the shelves of the convenience store and supermarket. Almost all the racks were empty.

Perhaps earthquake is quite frequent in Japan, I saw some girls still have the mood to shop for clothes and shoes in the station shops, that time, I was still shaking and having sleeping problem. After worrying for a whole 3 days in Tokyo, finally on Monday morning 14th march, we set off to Kumamoto through Haneda airport. It was so peaceful in Kumamoto, totally different from Tokyo. Thank god!

What a life!