Typhoon

Well I conquered my first typhoon. One of the many differences between Japan and home is the weather, and last night I was reminded of that all over again. With winds clocked up to 110 MPH, I learned what it meant to be on lock down. Back home I am used to getting out of school or possibly work due to a snow storm... this usually meant a whole day playing in the snow. Here on the island kids get out of school for a typhoon... that means stay locked up in your house for hours on end and be arrested if you attempt to go outside. Since the Hubby was out of town I was completely blessed when a good friend (Mimi) invited me over to wait out the storm with her. I am so glad I took her up on the offer cause I am not sure I would have known what to do when the winds howled, rains poured and powers went out. Fortunately Mimi knew just what to do and stayed calm through all of it. The major portion of the storm lasted about 6 hours, once it was over and the winds died down I was finally able to get some sleep and woke up to the "all clear" sign from the authorities. The stage means the storm has passed and we are allow back outside. Mimi and I decided to take a walk to see what sort of damages were around her house. The beautiful row of banana trees that used to line her driveway was gone, uprooted. There was debris every where, but the biggest shock came when I headed back to my house. On the short drive home I saw more trees in the street than I actually saw street. There were full AC units that had blown from peoples homes lining the streets. The street lights were bent and for the most part still off. When I finally got home the power was still out at my place, however after hearing the stories of good friends and neighbors, I am pretty lucky I only lost power. full sheds went through peoples living rooms, cars blown into other cars, and unfinished construction work crumbled. As I think about the storm and all that the winds did my first thought is thankfulness that I am safe my second thought... this is the first typhoon of the SEASON!!!