5.12
When I was looking for information of hotels, weather and local products of
Zhengzhou in 12 May afternoon, I was attracted by a message in a
Internet forum. The message stated that there was a quake in Zhengzhou
of Henan Province. As there was also false message, I did not take it seriously.
But I sent a message to the writer as we would be leaving for Zhengzhou in two
weeks' time. He was not on line anymore. About an hour later, there was another
message to confirm that the quake was in Wenchuan of Sichuan Province, and
not in Zhengzhou. Later, another message mentioned that although it
was not happened in Zhengzhou, but the people felt the quake. Then, I started
to look for the news.
I later saw a video taken by a student who was in the school hostel with his roommate.
Things kept dropping down and they hide under the table. When there was a minute
of quiet time, he shouted at his classmate and they escaped. He reported the
time, place and said that it was a quake before shutting of the handphone camera.
Then, I read the news reporting in words regarding the Prime Minister Wen Jia Bao.
He had just returned to Beijing from Henan Province and rushed to Sichuan immediately.
I sent e-mails to three persons that evening. The first e-mail was sent to friend who was from Sichuan
and settled down in Singapore. Another one was also from Sichuan but now in Syndey.
The third e-mail was sent to a Teochew friend who was working in Radio China
International in Beijing.
The two Sichuan friend were my former colleagues.
The Teochew friend was Yaya. She was recently communicated with me very
frequent because I would stop over after visiting Henan and before coming home.
The two Sichuan friend replied me on the second day. They had finally contacted
their families and they were all fine. Yaya sent me the websites for television
stations that provided live telecast.
Take care, Grandpa!
I started to learn the news from the television station. The quake destroyed
the large area. The rivers and roads were out of shape. No news sending out
from the central of the quake Wenchuan.
Mr Wen Jia Bao consoled and encouraged the people. When he told the
children 'don't cry!', I wept.
I saw the pictures published in the Internet, learned the news from the live telecast
and listened many time Wen's voice. I kept weeping.
That was the first time I was very touched by the news of a disaster.
I always hoped that I could see a person who had the likeness of the past
Zhou En Lai. When seeing how Wen Jia Bao encouraging an comfording
the people, I felt released that my dream came true.
When I thought of myself, my ablility falling short of my wish at this old age,
Wen is older than me. He took the risk to the affected places and took
care of his people. I would like to learn from what many netfriends who said,
"Take care, Grandpa!"
On the second day of the quake, I was attracted by a picture posted in the Internet.
A young man was holding the drip of his classmate who was trapped under
rubble. I downloaded the picture and posted on the first page of my website.
Who is the young man? That was the answer I was looking for.
Lianhe Wanbao published the related news on 22 May.
He was Li Yan, a 17 years old student of Beichuan Middle School.
On that day, he was going for a line dance lesson with five of his classmates.
When the quake happened, he ran back to the school in about twenty minutes'
time.
When he reached his school, he saw only rubbles. His classmate, Liao Bo,
was trapped under the rubble with four other classmates.
When the rescure came, Liao Bo was fed and later Li Yang was holding
the drip for him till he was freed.
Li Yang said to Liao Bo: "You are my best friend. I don't want to see you died."
On 25 May, Shin Min Daily published an news on Liao Bo. He spent his
17th birthday at a hospital in Chongqing on 24 May.
Although part of his left leg was amputated, he remained optimistic.
Brothers, you are indeed friends!
