Today is the 20th anniversary (!!!) of the Loma Prieta earthquake. This is the earthquake that locals call "The Big One" although the experts say the big one is yet to come. This earthquake was seen around the world since it happened during the World Series held in San Francisco that year. The news showed the devastation -- the Bay Bridge collapsed, the Marina District engulfed in flames. All the power was knocked out and the city was covered in total darkness. It was such an eerie sight. It was also strangely quiet in the streets.
Everyone has a "where were you" story for that day. For me, I was on the commuter bus headed home and we were sitting at a red light at Pine and Leavenworth on the hill. Suddenly, the bus shook. I thought we were rear ended. I looked out the window to my left and saw the streetlight bending and flipping up and down. "What is going on" raced through my mind. The bus continues on its course through the blank lights and when we hit Van Ness (a main cross street) there were lots and lots of people who had run out of buildings into the middle islands for safety. I put on my Walkman (yes, it was that long ago) and try to hit up a radio station. I could only get an AM station. They reported that we had a huge earthquake. It was unbelievable. But true.
And, now, it is the 20th anniversary of that earthquake. It is a bit hard to believe that so much time had passed. Thinking of it brings tears to my eyes.
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