One year since the tsunami in Indonesia

Twelve months ago the world was just learning about the Asian tsunami. I was in England celebrating Christmas with my family. My sister called and said she was sorry, I asked about what, then turned on the TV.

This morning I went to a small warung on Jl. Double Six for breakfast. The place was empty and they were showing live footage of a rememberance ceremony in Sri Lanka. Also Thailand was holding its own ceremony. For most people who live in Bali, it might as well be on the moon. Over 200,000 Indonesians died a year ago, and while people are aware of it, they hardly ever mention it. Since the tsunami killed a large percentage of the people in Banda Aceh, the survivors lives have been turned upside down. The good news that came out of Aceh is that the 30 year old conflict between the GAM separatist rebels and the Indonesian government has come to an end. A peace agreement being signed in Helsinki.

One of the amazing stories of survival from the tsunami was one guy who was cleaning the inside of a mosque downtown Banda Aceh. The water swept in, dragged him out and down the main street. He was washed out to sea and for a week clung to palm trees, finally being rescued 100 miles offshore.