Richter Scale

New America Media, Commentary, Andres T. Tapia, Posted: Aug 16, 2007

Editor's Note: The earthquake that devastated Lima, Peru, was felt in the hearts of Peruvians living in America who fear for family, friends and familiar places. NAM contributor Andrés Tapia grew up in Lima, Peru. He writes about cultural, political, and economic trends in the Americas.

CHICAGO -- “There’s been an earthquake…in Lima…7.5 on the Richter scale.” It’s my sister Lis on the answering machine. In a flash, our end of the day relaxation around the dinner table gets pulled out from under us as if one of those pull-the-tablecloth-from-under-the-set-table guys had materialized in our dining den.

Here in Chicago, the plates and glasses remain on the table, but our insides are shaken, while back home family and friends are picking up broken objects that have fallen off walls, counters, tables, shelves, roofs, vanities and ceilings.
Our daughter runs immediately to her cell phone to call newfound friends from her recent stay in Lima. In contrast, I concentrate on finishing a conversation with my wife while I let the news start working its way through my system. In earthquakes, things are so out of control that I need a few minutes to bring an item to resolution. It’s a fig leaf of something I feel I can control before I immerse myself in what I know will be a long night of conflicting news reports on TV and the Internet, marathon redialing on the phone to get through, a seesaw of emotions from fearing the worst to rationalizations that I’m sure everyone’s okay.