Philip in China

[philip in china]

I thought I would just update this to let you know what is going on here.

The homeless were all in tents. They are now being reaccomodated in styrofoam "houses" for the winter. It will be years before all the houses are rebuilt so they could be quite a long time in the foam places. These are one room constructions with a centralised laundry, ablution and recreation facility. It is less of a hardship for most people here than it would be for you or me because many of them had little enough before the quake anyway.

The infrastructure is also being fixed but that is a big slow job.

People are starting to return to normality although many shops etc. are still closed.

As far as production is concerned the lathes have started turning again! Exports were down last quarter (possibly due in part to all the natural disasters) but watch out USA. Items seen in the rear view mirror can be closer than they look!

[larrynjr]

Thanks for keeping us updated Philip, glad to know that you are doing well and life is getting liveable again for those in your area. God Bless!

[philip in china]

Just when we thought it was pretty much all over we got a big aftershock. 5.9 on the Richter scale did some damage but not like the big one. Goes to show there is still plenty of siesmic activity here.

[Bentiron1946]

That 5.9 is equal to the one they had in L.A. last week. Scared the bejeezus out a friend of mine and his wife over there as they are ready to move back to Phoenix. I guess that you and most of the other folk don't have anywhere else to move to?

[Sabre]

lol my dads gf lives there and CALLED HIM AND STARTED talkin about it right after it happend

[Wayne]

Just announced on the radio that there has been another big earth quake in central China - over 6 on the scale.
Anyone heard from Philip?

[philip in china]

Thanks for your concern. I am still here. The latest shake although big wasn't as close as the previous one so we weren't as badly hit. It did some minor damage. We were actually getting a bit bored by earthquakes so we have just had a tropical cyclone instead which made a pleasant change.

The clear up continues with most of the tents now packed away and replaced by styrofoam prefabricated buildings. The families are likely to be in those for years to come! 1 room to do everything with communal ablutions, kitchens, recreation areas etc. Far from ideal but better than being dead.

[Finnr]

I must agree. Dead SUCKS! Glad to hear that you and yours are well.
Finnr

[Frosty]

Can you send a pic of the styrofoam housing?

Is it sprayed, or glued slabs, or?

Frosty

[philip in china]

It is in sandwiches between pressed steel sheet. Then the houses are braced corner to corner using steel cable braced with turnbuckles. Will try to get a photo next time I am out there.