one afternoon in Simeulue

This afternoon in Simeulue—where I have been since Monday observing my NGO's programming here—we felt a pretty big earthquake. Sitting in a sort of raised pavilion that functions as the ‘meeting room’ for the field office here, we all sort of stared at each other while cups clattered and the water cooler took a spectacular dive before clattering down the steps and out into the driveway. It probably shook for a little more than a minute and gosh was it a strange sensation. There have been about 2 hours worth of aftershocks.

Without much of a frame of reference in terms of earthquake experience, I can only relay that we were told it was a big one (7.5) and centered right on Simeulue. As far as I can tell, though it was felt in Banda Aceh and other parts of North Sumatra, everything should be fine: no signs of the sea receding and the sounds of nature are alive and all around (apparently before the tsunami all the birds and insects put up). The most serous complication seems to be the motor bike packed road (there is truly only one road in Simeulue), snarled as everyone preventatively heads for the hills.

Nothing really happened here in the compound, but I don't know much more than that. If it is big as they say it was on the radio, I am sure it will make the world news, so please don't worry, I am fine.

Electricity, cellular phones, and the internet went down immediately after the first shake and it feels a bit disquieting to be so cut off. Until something happens I will be sitting here in the middle of the badminton court watching the ripples reverberate through the mud puddles.

Update: 7:15pm- Internet is back, generators are running, everything is still fine. No tsunami materialized and the BBC says few deaths. Hope all are well.