For better or for worse

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We had tickets to travel to Japan on Sunday, March 13. On Friday, there was a large earthquake and tsunami near Sendai, about 300km North of Tokyo. On Saturday, Narita International Airport and the trains were running, and we decided to board our flight. As we were leaving, news of problems at nuclear reactors in the Sendai area broke. After we landed, this news has only become more alarming. The map above shows Kagawa Train station, which is a five minute walk from our house (which google can’t seem to map).

For now, we are fine and enjoying the company of family, all of whom are well. There has been a bit of panic hoarding by shoppers, so we had to check several stores before finding diapers (including some awesome ones with Anpan Man on them). There are scheduled electricity black-outs, and most gas stations only sell 20 litres at a time, with long queues at the pump. The beautiful bird in the garden eating grubs doesn’t seem to care about any of it.

If there is a radiation risk in this area in the coming days or weeks, we will have to do our best to leave promptly, but for now, we’ll enjoy Spring blossoms, family feasts and the luxury of Japanese bathing. Our feasts are being constrained, however, by the hoarding. We can buy fresh meat, fish and vegetables, but milk, eggs, bread, tofu and natto are sold out. Cup Noodle is also sold out, but this affects us less.