April 16, 2022 – Portoviejo, Ecuador – Tonight while having a coffee and a milkshake and a corviche with a friend, (I had been birding all day and was hungry!) I noticed that he kept looking at his phone. We had discussed this historic date, one that is branded in every cell of every person who experienced the 7.8 earthquake of 2016 that killed over 600 people.
Arturo, a university student aiming for a degree in Marine Biology/Wildlife, picks up trash wherever he goes.
Each person has a unique story, and Arturo said that when the earthquake hit, he had been playing futbol with friends. A three-story building crashed to the ground and barely missed them. He ran home to check on his mother, who was alone. The door was jammed, and he kicked it open. She was safe, to his immense relief.
He told of ‘earthquake lights’ in the sky and said, “I thought it was the end of the world.”
Various people from Jama (130 kilometers north) told me similar stories about the sky appearing strange just before the earthquake hit. They also thought it was the end of the world.
A year after the earthquake/Jama – We reminisced about ‘before and after’ the earthquake, and the loved ones we lost.
At 6:58 pm tonight, Arturo showed me the time on his phone, and we most likely joined thousands more who paused and remembered that horrific evening. Partners with others around the world who face wildfires, tornadoes, flooding and war, we realize that material assets are of little importance – it’s the ones we love that are top of our concerns when tragedy strikes.
Remembering all who were affected by that 7.8 earthquake. Love, Lisa
Zeebra Designs & Destinations 
How easily we forget that very important fact — that it is the people we care for who matter far more than ‘things’ — until something like an earthquake, accident, or war strikes and then we remember … at least for a time. Hugs, my friend!
Thank you, Jill. The year before the earthquake hit, many of us were partners in suffering from a dengue/chikungunya epidemic. When the Covid challenges began, ‘we’ were well trained in being patient and compliant and frugal – and oh my, so many of those affected by the earthquake lived in primitive conditions for a very long time. Even when they had little, they still shared and were kind to their fellow man or woman.
Salient words. People matter, not things. Life is tenuous and can change in an instant. Appreciate each moment with loved ones.
Thank you very much; in challenging times, we realize what a comfort it is to have our loved ones.
Oh! I remember it, too, from the news reports, and your postings, though I wouldn’t have been able to pick the exact day. I sure it is fixed in your memory, as one who experienced it closely, and lost dear ones. Hugs to you, as you think back…
Thank you, Cindy. You are always there with support, holding down your own GPS point as a balance — as we all do. Sometimes the challenges of others help us to remember that our worlds could also change with little warning. We are reminded to cherish each day – and you do that!
Although she was uninjured, a part of my sweet wife Mary passed away that evening. For the first time in her life she felt real fear and terror. She, too, felt that the world was ending. I do not think she ever fully recovered from the PTS, but she did refocus on what it important in life and worked to become closer to her friends and family. The amazing resilience of our Ecuadorian neighbors buoyed our spirits as we worked side by side with so many others to help those in greater need. Dear Lisa, thanks for the reminders. We are all in this life together.
Yes, I always think of Mary when recalling the earthquake and its effects on others. She was always honest about how frail she felt – and how relieved she was when you made it back to home base. And your own worries as you made that transit back to San Clemente. Yes, the locals are the special ingredient that adds comfort – daily comfort – to our lives. They set a beautiful example of embracing the outsider and making them part of their family. You and Mary doted on many – the locals and the transplants.
Years from now, people still will be remembering your event, and memorializing those who died. Just over a week ago, a memorial service was held for what’s known as the Texas City disaster: a ship explosion that devastated that port town, and killed 600 people. Recovery was hard and slow, and some who survived bore physical and emotional scars, but recovery did come. I hope the same for your community.
April 16 is not a good day for history.. wow that was a horrible disaster.
On a different note – someone sent me this link about about migratory birds, and those gorgeous Sandhill Cranes are one of the species featured.
We easily forget the Earth is in charge until something tragic happens.
Earthquakes like this should always be remembered. Bless all those
affected then and now!
“We easily forget the Earth is in charge until something tragic happens.” – wise words from a wise man.
Thank you, Eddie!
Thank you, Lisa!
A reminder of how very lucky I am 🤗💟
Yes, you are right, and I will always treasure your empathy and concerns for my friends. Some areas have rebuilt and are moving forward, but Jama seems trapped in time – I continue to think that someone needs to come in and cleanse the trauma – it’s like it’s embedded in everything there… Hmmm. Maybe a full moon ceremony near the solstice? Time to incubate some ideas…
🤔💟 Happy Easter, Lisa 🤗🐰🐣💗
I can’t believe it has been six years. I’ve never heard about the odd sky. I’d like to know more about that.
Yes, the same with me – I recall people talking about teh sky being strange, but this friend showed me a video taken from their security camera (I think that was what he showed me) Here’s something from National Geographic, but it doesn’t give specific explanations.. would make a good topic for scientific research..https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/earthquake-lights
thanks!
Blessings and Easter Greetings to all – I cannot even begin to imagine what that experience must have been like, Lisa….
Yes, over a year after that earthquake I was with a friend when a small earthquake hit. Her home had been almost totally destroyed, so her personal trauma was intense. When the smaller quake hit, she instantly lowered herself to the ground, put her hands on her head/over her face and began to pray. The praying helped calm her.
I hope that your holiday was a good one, with that grand moon presiding over the evening skies, but affecting the daytime as well.
We in the UK can have no real conception of how uncertain and often traumatic it must be, living in certain parts of the world…Sending blessings to you and your friends. The Spring is now bursting out everywhere her. So beautiful!!
I’m glad I read the comments today because they were heartfelt and touching. I haven’t experienced anything like this but it’s so true that people not things are what are important. Thanks for that reminder! I hope you had a blessed Easter and that you week will be a wonderful one.
janet
With your own personal history, you certainly value the people you love – and they know that they are treasured by you. What more could one want than to be cherished – and times of crisis sometimes help us to realize that.
I hope that you too had a blessed Easter – probably a bit somber during holidays as you move forward.
How very strange about the earthquake sky. It’s good to have a time of remembrance for these terrible events that take away people close to us. Such a tragic event.
yes, it was really strange to hear the various people mention the same type of observations… life is so fragile, and you’ve lived in many places where you see how acute it can be.
it’s always great to see/hear from you – always positive, no matter where you are!
Your work is amazing! Please keep it up.
thank you – and hold us all in your prayers – may we learn to be at peace with all species and be kind… these are heavy times…
Thank you very much. You are a blessing.
It’s all so random isn’t it? Life is so fragile, and we kid ourselves if we ever think we have any control.
I can’t believe it’s been 6 years since the earthquake! It seems more recent than that.
Stay safe Lisa.
Hugs
Alison 🥰
yes, it is hard to believe – but as I mentioned to Linda, our planet is always shifting, and every so often we happen to be where the adjustment is a grand one – which reminds us of how fragile it all is.
thank you dear friend!
xox 💕
I remember you writing about that after it happened. It’s been so long? Hard to believe. Earthquakes are definitely weird and disorienting. I’ve only experienced two, but both ramped up my adrenaline!
Yes, it seems like last year in many ways… i think that everyone will continue to be braced for another – always in the background – the histories… but even in the usa – the Madrid Fault is silently shifting… alas, our planet is always adjusting…
And at this point maybe trying to shrug off the ingrates.
Well told, Lisa. Your reporting on the earthquake and its aftermath has been critical in helping us understand what it means to the people of Ecuador. We’re supposedly overdue for a big one up here. Well, who knows what’s next? In the meantime we live our lives as best we can.