Waiting for the tsunami...

Or not.  Here we are in Vietnam wondering about water again.  A massive earthquake hit Japan earlier this afternoon - just as we were winding down our school day.  As we left the classroom, we started seeing the first images of the earthquake destruction and the ensuing tsunami pop up on the Internet. 

Tsunami?  It's not something I've ever really panicked about in our land-locked state of Vermont.  Of course I know of the devastation they can cause, but I've never really contemplated being in the path of killer water.  Now I find myself trolling the Internet for information about the international tsunami warnings that have been issued around the Pacific basin.  Countries nearby are on high alert.  Countries far away are being evacuated.  Yet, I see nothing about Vietnam.  I would like to assume that means all is well.

There are those speakers in the rice paddy that typically convey important news (I think).  They came on at their usual hour this evening and also turned off as scheduled.  I listened carefully for the word "tsunami" as I ran past a few times, but it all sounded like gibberish to me (as usual).  Our neighbors do not seem to be in a state of panic.  Traffic is flowing in both directions on the road - to and from the coast.  Either everyone is oblivious, or there is nothing to worry about. I think I'll just go with the second option.  The only source of news I can really understand is Facebook.  Now that's reassuring.  This is what it looks like in the Hoi An FB world:

"Holy Crap.  Did you see the live video footage of the Tsunami?  Should we be worried about the coast here in Vietnam?"

"I haven't heard anything.  I'll let you know if I do."

"Don't know, but we don't seem to be on the BBC list of countries with warnings."

"Thinking of everyone in Japan..."

"Looks like we should be okay...minimal wave action being reported in Taiwan and the Philippines."

All so definitive and reassuring from the FB community.  I think I'll just take anything of value to the second floor when I go to bed and hope for the best.  Yet another reminder that I really DO need to work a bit harder on those Vietnamese language skills.