472 miles since

May 19
One week after devastating earthquake which hit Wenchuan County in Sichuan Province leaving at least 70.000 people dead. At 2:28 pm citizens observe a silent tribute to those who have been killed. Drivers were honking their horns for three minutes to honor the victims. National flag was lowered to half-mast in Tiananmen Square..

3-day national mourning has been announced and all public amusements(cinemas, theaters, bars) have been suspended. Wearing “I Love China” T-shirts people gathered in many parts of the city lightening candles, singing and shouting slogans like “Rebuild Sichuan!” , “Come on China!”.
I joined a group of about 300 people who gathered for candlelight at the riverbank.

The same day we got the news that another magnitude 7-8 quake is likely to happen. That again caused panic among the people. This time it was an official government statement. There was no reason to not believe in what we heard. Those with cars left their homes heading south. Others were fluttering around trying to buy whatever they could. Water, bread, biscuits, chocolate…
I bought a beer and a pack of M&M's...
Thousands slept outside again. Luckily it didn’t rain.