Tsunami

Many people are still shocked by what has happened in the Tsunami. You might look up to God and continuously ask him the reason for the unforgettable devastation caused by a crash of waves that look enormous in our vulnerable two eyes but such nature resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths. Waves that reached higher than 28 metres (92feet). Could God be responsible for such a thing? Did he do it for a reason? As the cliche goes 'everything happens for a reason' and this Tsunami is just one of them. But hang on, what is the reason? Any anyone answer such a broad attack by nature? Many victims lost a dozen family members and yet do not know where the body could be found. One young woman lost 20 family members all at once. Another young child lost all his brothers and sisters. Parents finding their children, Husbands finding their wives, a parent makes a dangerous choice in having to let go one child in her arms in order to save her other child being swept by the water, and the list just goes on. Did they deserve to face such unforgettable experiences? No. But was it a warning? Yep, for me it sure was. A warning of a fearful future. A future of a possible end. A future of unknowable hidden surprises that could enormously kill us all within minutes. Be it weapons or nature.

Indonesia is one of the countries that was hardly hit by the Tsunami. Many families have lost their loved ones and their homes. Actually Indonesia being hit like that gives me a hint now if I think about it more closely. The hint goes that Indonesia was hardly hit with knowledge that several extreme Islamic groups and individuals have taken part of the terrorism. Seems like the Tsunami hit the right area? Yet that still doesn't explain a lot, does it. Maybe in a few years, we will gradually discover the answer.

Just before I left Melbourne back to NZ, Australia held a concert in the aim for the fans to donate more money to the Tsunami victims. It was a music concert at the Sydney Operah House that involved several popular singers such as Missy Higgins. The donation resulted in the millions and was assured that the money would be sent to the hard hit areas. Even 10 year old kids were giving their pocket money which they got as a birthday present. The dollars given by John Howard were sent to the governments. Australia's donation by the great help from its generous people had reached to $100 million dollars being one of the highest donations sent to the victims. I was driving by, only days before the 'Reach Out To Asia Concert' and I saw several houses which had red flags that stood out. Went to stop near by it and realized that truck loads of boxes were being given to the owner of the house compiling things to send to the affected areas. Many had sent clothes, blankets, soft toys...and some even sent closed packets of snacks to send. And they're all by the additional help of the Red Cross. Amazing how many Australians I saw felt struck by the event that they were so willing to donate anything and many who hoped to adopt homeless children as well. An Arabic channel, Abu Dhabi, has been advertising several options for Tsunami Relief between the channel breaks. People in UAE and Kuwait have donated in the tens of millions. While KSA government is quite selfish in having to pay a very limited amount for them.

All in all, my stay in Australia was mostly great. Spent time with the family, found out more about its people, its lifestyle, and I look forward to moving there in the near future with an advantage being closer to my real home. I was astounded by how Australians were deeply effected by the Tsunami that had hit SE Asia after ALL the time I had heard so much about Australians being more racist than others. ANd that was not only said by Arabs either. I don't find that reasonable to say; all countries and religions have its racist, its selfishness, its murderers, its victims, and its generousity. Good deeds are not forgotten. Australians from what I observed have surely done what they had to do for their above neighbours.

PS: My mum's good friend who planned to go to Thailand with his wife had taken another route and settled in for a while after the Tsunami had happened. Days later, the couple decided to head off to Thailand to help out the victims. Best of luck to them and the others who are there right now risking their lives from the latest shootings at aid workers. My condolences to the thousands of lives lost in the Tsunami. This tragic event will not go by so easily; it will be looked upon and remembered for years to come.