英会話プライベートレッスン

It’s hard to remember in this fine weather that just two years ago we had a huge earthquake. ?Then again, I am sure there are still people who will never forget.

It’s hard to believe that 3/11 was two years ago. ?It was definitely a chaotic day for me. ?I will never forget that feeling of uncertainty that came over me when I felt the first shakes. ?See, we don’t get earthquakes in Toronto, and to this very day I am still not too sure what we do when one comes about. ?I definitely wasn’t sure what to do as someone who lived along the coast. ?There were tsunami warnings all day and night in Katsuura, and every few minutes there would be alerts from the PA system I simply couldn’t understand (does anyone understand them?). ?Thankfully, I was safe at home and things continue to be fine.

I can’t say the same for my friend who lived in Fukushima and still remains without a permanent home.

Thankfully I am aware of one thing. ?I saw Japan pull itself together and work towards rebuilding. ?Mistakes were made and are coming more and more to light, but images of people organizing themselves and working together are just as memorable as the damage.

I volunteered in Ishinomaki the summer after it happened, and while there was still significant damage, much of it had been cleaned up to my surprise.

Even more surprising were the kindness and friendliness of the people who had had their homes (and sometimes families) destroyed. ?I worked with fishermen trying to rebuild their oyster crops, and they would pepper me with questions about life in Katsuura and Canada (I guess they were interested because both are famous for fish).

We must never forget the damage that occurred on 3/11. ?That’s a given. ?But let’s remember that it brought out the best in Japan as well.