I forgot to post this the other day, but we finally got out of the hospital around 4 pm (still light outside) and had our driver take us to the beach that others had a chance to visit earlier in the week. It was a beautiful afternoon and the fresh air was welcomed.
At the beach we stumbled upon a monument for the tsunami in 2004. Most of us were putting on the final preparations for Christmas when we heard about what was happening to the Pacific coasts of several countries.
What I had forgotten to post about Karaikal was that this city was among the most hard hit during that catastrophe. It was then, unfortunately, that this city made international news. In fact, about 500 people were swept into the sea. We heard some recounts from a few Rotarians who had close calls and were also told that most of the victims were men, as the women were in their homes for the day cleaning and then men were out fishing. Very, very tragic.
The monument was a large mosaic that shows the wave coming in and people on the beach. Standing there for a few minutes and reflecting on the meaning of this beautiful monument you could only feel pain, knowing that so much loss made it necessary. And chills ran up and down my spine as I focused on the mosaic figures who were clearly running from the wave. One cannot imagine the terror. At least I could not.
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| The beach on the Sea of Bengal, the site where many lost their lives. |
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| The tsunami memorial, which was dedicated in 2005. |
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| Close-up of the mosaic. I find the figures running away from the wave chilling to look at. |
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| Close-up of the plaque. |
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From a window in the hospital, you can see the Sea of Bengal courtesy of a
portion of the trees that were wiped out in the tsnunami. This entire field
was well under water and much of the hospital was damaged preventing
the mission from coming here for many years. |
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