Earthquake?

This morning at 6:43 a.m. I woke to the feeling of my bed swaying back and forth. It was subtle, and for a few drowsy moments I thought someone was shaking me. I sat up to realize that it was the whole room that was swaying. Back and forth. Nothing jarring–the paper screens barely rattled in their frames–and the entirety of it only lasted maybe 10 seconds.

Ulga woke up about half way into the shake, “Is that–?”

“Yes.”

She chuckled and laid back down, checking the time on her cell phone. “Japanese earthquake! Nooo…” She rolled over and went back to sleep.

To shake an earthquake off so readily (ha…hahaha…earthquake puns) surprised me, but then…earthquakes happen a lot in Japan. For someone who has only been here a few months like Ulga to react like that–? Well, I guess there doesn’t seem to be much to worry about. Still, I am glad they instructed us on earthquake safety.

1. Secure yourself in a safe place away from anything that may fall on your head. The bathroom is the safest place to be.
2. Do not run outside, and if you ARE outside, be weary of falling power lines or walls.
3. If possible, turn off any cooking supplies you may have been using. Fires after earthquakes are far more destructive.

Regardless–I have now experienced my very first earthquake. Truth be told? It was scary, but entertaining at the same time.