How about a little blogging related to where I’m vacationing this week. We have set up shop in Manzanillo, Mexico, which is located in the state of Colima. It’s located right on the Pacific coast and survives mainly thanks to tourists. Many American and Canadian retirees come down here for extended stays because of the friendly locals and good exchange rate (12 pesos per dollar). Anyways, our days are mainly full of fun in the sun, playing in the waves and short walks into the little village to buy food.
However, one of my favorite parts of the day actually occurs at night. Every evening, the time varies daily, a lady comes up and sets up a mobile bread and pastry box on one street corner located by our hotel. This year she’s become even younger, and even comes with a friend sometimes. Now, they cannot be older than 16. Anyways, that’s not the important part. Her little box appears for a couple of hours on the corner and she sells breads.
As you can see from the picture, the box is fairly small. We’re not sure where the bread comes from (we haven’t found any bakers nearby), we don’t know how they come up with their selection and it’s also not clear how they price it (seems to change daily). Most of the bread is quite good, probably not the best in Mexico but pretty good coming from the little bread box on the corner. I feel fortuitous to have found her. Check out Darcy and Cassie browsing the selection:
I don’t think a lady like her could operate in the United States.
The whole world’s hearts are heavy today for the people of Japan who endured one of the strongest natural disasters ever March11-12. The earthquake measured 8.9 on the Richter scale, which is the largest quake to hit that region in 1200 years. A NASA scientist determined the quake will actually speed the earth’s rotation by 1.6 microseconds. Close to 10,000 people are reported missing in one northern town in the path of the tsunami that struck shortly after the quake. One person was killed in California after being swept into the ocean while filming the tsunami there.
Update 3/13: Incredible video has emerged of the destruction in Iwaki City. The landscape appears to be completely devastated with few signs of life.
A sea of car emerges from the ruins of the tsunami. (via National Geographic)
Dramatic video as the tsunami arrives and begins devastating the area. Not clear where this was filmed.
This person seems to have been relatively close to the ground when the tsunami arrived. Just horrifying.
The New York Times has a detailed look at several cities in Northeastern Japan before and after the earthquake.
The town of Minamisanriku may have lost more than 10,000 people in tsunami, some reports suggest. The BBC brings shocking video of the town before and after the quake.
Smoke and damage in Natori city, which is located close to the quake’s epicenter. (via)
Originally posted 3/12: This map shows the energy created by the quake:
This is perhaps the most shocking of all the videos. It comes from inside the Sendai airport as the tsunami waves rush by. Horrifying to see.
A wave of water swarms around the Sendai airport.
In these images, we see the moment the tsunami comes ashore.
Cars and houses are thrown aside as the huge wave makes its way ashore.
Here, a helicopter circles above as the tsunami comes ashore, taking out everything in its path.
Absolute devastation in Kesennuma shortly after the tsunamis arrived.
This video was shot in Sendai, right by the center of the quake. It’s horrifying and watch as a woman is almost hit with a TV close to her desk. The people in it seem paralyzed, and many remain standing inexplicably.
This picture shows the damage caused to a road and house in Sukagawa City, close to the epicenter of the quake.
Filmed in Tokyo, this video shows the moment the quake struck from a supermarket. What I find so alarming is that the employees actually go to shelves and try to save a few items from toppling. In doing so, they placed themselves at risk of being struck with falling items.
This video comes from the city of Miyako, which is close to the epicenter of the quake. It shows buildings ripped from their foundations and water pouring through the town.
Thousands of people were stranded in Tokyo’s Disneyland where parts of the parking lot liquified and prevented guests from leaving.
If you would like to help, please see here for a list of organizations that would welcome your donations.
Here’s two stunning pictures I’ve run across over the past couple of days.
1) What a Grab! When Atlanta Braves second baseman Dan Uggla lost his bat, Mitch Davie reached out with his non beer-holding hand (note: great product placement for Red Stripe) and snagged the bat. In the process, he saved all of the people around him from injury. The Braves were playing the Toronto Blue Jays in a spring training game.
2) Here Kitty Kitty: On a clear night in Chile, one cat takes all 9 nine of his lives and puts them on the railing.
The office of Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords released a photograph of the Congresswoman speaking with two constituents in front of a Tucson Safeway, just minutes before a deranged gunman shot Giffords and 18 other people.
In the photo, which was released by Giffords’ office to Facebook, Giffords speaks with Jim and Doris Tucker of Tucson. Jim Tucker was later wounded in the attack, but survived. Six of the shooting victims died of their injuries.
Giffords has been undergoing speech, physical and musical therapy. Her condition continues to improve, and she’s been singing her favorite songs and speaking with friends.
New Zealand is still reeling from a devastating Earthquake that struck Christchurch, the second largest city in the country. At least 76 people were killed in the disaster, and more than 230 remain missing today. More than 120 of those missing may be buried under one building downtown.
Was this the first earthquake in Christchurch? Hardly. There was actually a more powerful one that struck the city in September 2010. That one measured 7.1 on the Richter scale. That earthquake caused moderate damage but did not result in any serious injuries, let alone any deaths.
Why was this one so much worse? This most recent earthquake measured 6.3 on the Richter scale. Even though Tuesday’s earthquake was 10 times less powerful than the one in September, it caused much more damage because of its location. The recent earthquake was centered less than 6 miles from the center of town, while September’s occurred more than 24 miles away. The most recent quake occurred three miles from the surface, while the past quake occurred at twice that distance. This quake’s proximity made the tremor much more intense in Christchurch and shook the buildings with devastating effects.
Any good news? There’s some. Google quickly set up a message board where people could post descriptions of missing people. Several reunions have been made possible through the service. Additionally, rescuers have successfully removed people from buildings alive. One triumphant photo is particularly striking…
Are there any videos of the Earthquake itself? Yes, several videos have emerged. Two are below.
Is there something really puzzling? I think so. Take a look at this video, also taken shortly after the earthquake struck. As you’ll see, makeshift ambulances are taking people to hospitals. However, take a look at the scenery in the video. It appears that the area in the video is relatively intact. Other videos show similar things. I don’t understand why certain areas of the city were devastated, but others seemed left unaffected.
Other noteworthy pictures? These pictures showcase the devastation in Christchurch.
Devastation to Christchurch's central cathedral
The Cathedral before the earthquake
Rescuers pull a woman from the rubble in Christchurch
As you can see from the picture, the box is fairly small. We’re not sure where the bread comes from (we haven’t found any bakers nearby), we don’t know how they come up with their selection and it’s also not clear how they price it (seems to change daily). Most of the bread is quite good, probably not the best in Mexico but pretty good coming from the little bread box on the corner. I feel fortuitous to have found her. Check out Darcy and Cassie browsing the selection:
I don’t think a lady like her could operate in the United States.
Not Intent on Arriving 
