It has been about a week since the devastating earthquake and tsunami in struck Japan and I have been asked several times what is it like being in Hong Kong now.
First, Hong Kong is about 1,900 miles from Sendai, the site of the quake, and luckily is not part of the "Ring of Fire", those areas around the Pacific rim that are prone to earthquakes. Due to geography, Hong Kong has not experienced tsunamis. As for fallout from any possible radiation, Hong Kong sits southwest of Japan and the winds from Japan do not flow in this direction. So Hong Kong is safe from those threats.
As far as people, the Hong Kong government has been reaching out both the government of Japan to lend assistance and to Hong Kong citizens who are in Japan. We have been keeping up with the news from Japan via the Internet and postings from the US consulate in Hong Kong. There has been an outpouring of support for Japan here. We have been to two events since the earthquake where money was being raised to be send to Japan. One elementary school organized a event where students sleep in the school overnight without supplies, only water and some rice. There have been emails requesting people to use one less hour of electricity a day or to eat only vegetarian for a week to show solidarity with the people of Japan. Japan is in the hearts and minds of the people here in Hong Kong.
So we are safe and continue to stay abreast of the news. Our prayers and thoughts are with friends and people met while in Japan.
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