Haiyan

[Truth]

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Hello EquineFriends! I don't know if any of you have heard about Typhoon Haiyan ripping thru the Philippines now. It's a HUGE hurricane with 195mph sustained winds and gusts of 235mph. I can't imagine what it's like. It may very well be the largest hurricane EVER. For me it's personal because I lived in the Philippines and have friends there now living thru this.
One friend is Peace Corps country director. We served together back in the 70's in Peace Corps. My language instructor who now lives in the US has family there. All we can do is wait and hope for the best. ANY kind thoughts, vibes, wishes for their well being and safety you can send to them is much appreciated! This is a terrible year for the Philippines. This is the FOURTH hurricane they have gone thru this year AND the area where the eye of this typhoon is going thru JUST went thru an earthquake. In fact I just heard that there were reports of aftershocks while the typhoon is battering them. Four deaths have been confirmed thus far. May that be all.

STAY SAFE PHILIPPINES!!!!

[Bara]

Yes, I'm watching it on the News. I'm sorry, Truth.

[Truth]

Bara, thanks. Good news is that my language instructor friend spoke with her sister yesterday and they were ok. She is going to call them again today to find out how things are going. I haven't heard from my Peace Corps friend, but he's probably overwhelmed with trying to locate volunteers and make sure they're safe and well. I hope he is ok.

I feel helpless watching this from afar. I wish I could be there to help them. They will need it in the aftermath.

[Bara]

It's good to hear that your friends are safe - I hope you have found your other friend. Yes, the clean-up will take forever.

I'm sorry, Truth. Unless you live this close to disaster, you can't understand.

Love to you.

[Bara]

It's good to hear that your friends are safe - I hope you have found your other friend. Yes, the clean-up will take forever.

I'm sorry, Truth. Unless you live this close to disaster, you can't understand it.

Love to you.

[ZenRider]

Here's to your friends that are living there Truth. I'm not sure where the relatives of my cousins, who's mother is from the Philippines, live. I haven't heard from that part of the family and I don't think they were coastal and are likely fine. Here's to many years without an extreme storm for them.

[Truth]

I talked to my Filippino friend here and she told me she spoke to her sister again (can't believe she got thru!) and found out she has two nieces who live in Tacloban where the eye hit. They haven't heard from them and don't know if they're alive or not. They are her brother's daughters. He was murdered in the 80's/90's while being held up. He drove a tricycle. REALLY sad. His wife remarried and moved to Tacloban. She is very upset. I'm trying to find out about them and my friend Denny. Called Peace Corps, but haven't heard anything from them, yet.

From reports on the radio it sounds chaotic, which is understandable. I want to suggest to peace corps to send a bulletin out to RPCVs for assistance. Hell, I'm ready to go over and help. They need food and water. It sounds desperate. Just heard they're not allowing rescuers in because of mobs trying to get anything they can, any way they can. It will get worse. Crops have been destroyed and water IS NOT drinkable. I remember when I was there, I drank water in the barrio just after a typhoon went thru. I barfed and had the runs for DAYS. They said diarrhea is already happening. Disease is a MAJOR concern.

this is so frustrating.................