The Big Shaker!
It has been six days since the big earthquake here on the
Myanmar (Burma) border. We experienced the strongest earthquake I have felt, including the Northridge 
quake in California. Everyone in the family is okay, our three story building is standing but tile has come off the walls and lots of big cracks in the concrete. Everyone around us here in Mae Sai, Thailand was okay although scared as Daeng told me northern Thailand doesn't get earthquakes. I am told there were two, one was 7.0 and we are in the epic center. Here is a link of the first news coverage. CLICK HERE We are told that it was actually 6.8 but because it was so close to the surface it was originally thought to be bigger. It was still scary! With all the aftershocks this is an 'E" ticket ride. If you don't know what an "E" ticket ride is just ask an old person that has been to Disneyland. After we were sure everyone in the immediate area was okay we hopped on our motorbike and drove to the city part of our 25,000 population town to see if we could help. We were surprised that there was very little damage and no one seemed to be hurt. We had the poo-poo scared out of us when we stopped in an area by the border bridge were the buildings are made with corrugated metal, shanty stile. All of a sudden, an aftershock came through and these tin buildings all started shacking, making this terrible noise. It lasted about six or seven seconds and then stopped. We had to change our underwear. (I'm kidding because I don't use underwear.) All through the town, people were camped out in front or
back of their buildings as they were afraid of another quake. Some have even pitched tents as they were all afraid to go back in to their homes. The only damage 
we saw was a lot of cracks in the concrete buildings and a statue had fallen from one of the building. We decided to go home and do some of the clean up. I ate some comfort food, ice cream from the 7-11 and went home to take a shower, then go to bed in my own bed. I had to talk Daeng into that as she was still scared. The rest of the family slept outside for the 
night. The next day Daeng cleaned up all the concrete and tile that had fallen off the wall. I slept most of the day as I was emotionally drained as we had just finished the new master bathroom and master bedroom. Now we need it repair it. The government in Myanmar (Burma) seems to be keeping the news coverage of damage done by this earthquake to a minimum. Here is a YouTube video taken by our friends at 891NanaStation (Childlife) of some of the damage on the other side of the border. For the 10 minute video: CLICK HERE. We are keeping busy repairing the cracks in the walls so we can repaint. We are looking to find a good tile setter but if we can't find one we'll try to do some of the tile repairs ourselves. Everyday we are still getting small aftershocks which keeps everyone afraid of another big one. Although we are writing this with a light heart many people in Myanmar (Burma) were killed, their homes lost and families separated. May God bless them all!
Myanmar (Burma) border. We experienced the strongest earthquake I have felt, including the Northridge 
quake in California. Everyone in the family is okay, our three story building is standing but tile has come off the walls and lots of big cracks in the concrete. Everyone around us here in Mae Sai, Thailand was okay although scared as Daeng told me northern Thailand doesn't get earthquakes. I am told there were two, one was 7.0 and we are in the epic center. Here is a link of the first news coverage. CLICK HERE We are told that it was actually 6.8 but because it was so close to the surface it was originally thought to be bigger. It was still scary! With all the aftershocks this is an 'E" ticket ride. If you don't know what an "E" ticket ride is just ask an old person that has been to Disneyland. After we were sure everyone in the immediate area was okay we hopped on our motorbike and drove to the city part of our 25,000 population town to see if we could help. We were surprised that there was very little damage and no one seemed to be hurt. We had the poo-poo scared out of us when we stopped in an area by the border bridge were the buildings are made with corrugated metal, shanty stile. All of a sudden, an aftershock came through and these tin buildings all started shacking, making this terrible noise. It lasted about six or seven seconds and then stopped. We had to change our underwear. (I'm kidding because I don't use underwear.) All through the town, people were camped out in front or
back of their buildings as they were afraid of another quake. Some have even pitched tents as they were all afraid to go back in to their homes. The only damage 
we saw was a lot of cracks in the concrete buildings and a statue had fallen from one of the building. We decided to go home and do some of the clean up. I ate some comfort food, ice cream from the 7-11 and went home to take a shower, then go to bed in my own bed. I had to talk Daeng into that as she was still scared. The rest of the family slept outside for the 
night. The next day Daeng cleaned up all the concrete and tile that had fallen off the wall. I slept most of the day as I was emotionally drained as we had just finished the new master bathroom and master bedroom. Now we need it repair it. The government in Myanmar (Burma) seems to be keeping the news coverage of damage done by this earthquake to a minimum. Here is a YouTube video taken by our friends at 891NanaStation (Childlife) of some of the damage on the other side of the border. For the 10 minute video: CLICK HERE. We are keeping busy repairing the cracks in the walls so we can repaint. We are looking to find a good tile setter but if we can't find one we'll try to do some of the tile repairs ourselves. Everyday we are still getting small aftershocks which keeps everyone afraid of another big one. Although we are writing this with a light heart many people in Myanmar (Burma) were killed, their homes lost and families separated. May God bless them all!
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