Peru: when the quake hit
16.06.10
It was 6.40pm and I was in the car, driving to dispose of my wife. All of a sudden, the traffic slowed as I received a call on my mobile. It was my friend and ex-pupil Prizewinner. "Hi Profesor, I was just calling to invite you to my graduation party…" I was in the middle of thanking him when the car slowly began to escarpment.
The conversation cut short as Victor and I both said, uncertainly: "Earthquake?" The movement steadily intensified. The transport had stopped. To one side, I could see faces in the windows of a bus showing fear, panic. The seismic movements continued with ever increasing strong point and intensity. My car was bouncing from side to side and on the radio the news announced that a serious earthquake had hit and calling for calm. The drivers and passengers got out of their vehicles and I became more apprehensive. The pertinacity of this quake was immense and it was lasting a lot longer than normal. Uncertainty and doubt filled my be bothered – and if the ground opens up?
The traffic light changed to green and the streets were full of people, tears of frighten and terror running down their faces. It was as if a war had begun and the bombardment had finished. I immediately called my mate: "It's OK, I'm on my way".
Source: The Guardian