Matadorians in Chile: Let us know you’re ok

It’s been the strangest day today.

I got back from Chile in January after spending a year in Santiago. Most of my friends are accounted for, but there are still many that I have no news of. The positive side is that Chile is prepared for earthquakes. Chileans told me often last year that they have a major quake ever 20 years and were waiting for another big one. That I missed it by a matter of weeks makes me feel lucky but also so very far away from my friends and adopted family over there. I feel a bit guilty, which I can’t quite explain.

Most of the buildings in Santiago are earthquake proof. It’s not a beautiful city and this is because many of its older buildings have already been devastated by previous big tremors and new buildings were thrown up in place of the old. However, there are many poblaciones, the poorer districts, where construction regulations are less likely to have been followed. As always, it’s the poor who are going to suffer most.

Now I know my close friends are safe, my thoughts are turning to the dog shelter where I was volunteering in Melipilla, near Santiago. The shelter had almost no money and kennels were made out of old bits of wood and metal sheeting. I know the town has been badly affected and has no power or water. The supermarket there has been looted. I dread to think what has happened to the dogs living in the kennels… the construction was so basic. I’m waiting for news.

A friend living in Santiago told me via Facebook that he went out onto his balcony when it hit and saw the lights of the city go out, traffic lights explode and the roads crack. Another was watching a band play in a basement when it happened and had a 5 mile walk home. A Belgian friend (not used to earthquakes) told me he’d never been so scared. Another went back to sleep after it happened but woke up again with the aftershocks.

I’ve not heard from anyone further south than Santiago. My thoughts are with all the lovely people I met in the capital and further south in Pucon, Chiloe, Puerto Varas and of course anyone affected in Concepcion or anywhere else.

Un abrazo fuerte para todo la gente chilena. Viva Chile!