It’s pitch black and the bed is shaking and, wait, no the whole building is shaking. For a second I freeze in a panic and grab Danny. He’s awake as well and we hold each other, tightly wondering out loud what is going on. Finally it dawns on us that it must be an earthquake. We quickly scramble out of bed, but can hardly stand up on the floor, I feel like I’m on a ride at an amusement park. The building stops moving and we are able to make it downstairs and safely out of the house. There the family regroups. We’re all a bit shocked and chattering away like monkeys although on our half asleep faces we’re showing signs of worry. Flashlights flicker down the beach as other people get out of their homes. We stay outside wondering if there will be aftershocks. Eventually someone reminds us that we’ re on a beach, looking at the Atlantic Ocean, and hey, aren’t there tsunami’s? Where can we go we ask- the roads aren’t great and there’s nothing around for miles. Hours later we eventually go back to sleep, just in time for light to break on the horizon.
Belize. A 7.1 earthquake. It turns out a tsunami watch had been issued, and cancelled 90 minutes later. Not that we would have known.
Fortunately we weren’t alone when the big one hit. My aunt and uncle had looked for months for a vacation rental in Belize, one big enough to hold the family but small enough that it wasn’t a resort! It was perfect, a nice big area (with wifi!) to hang out in, and a small eco-resort down the street with an awesome pool and bar.
The afternoon after the earthquake we were back at the pool, our general location for the whole time we were in Belize, chatting away with honeymooners and other vacationers. We were dissapointed not to see jaguars in the jaguar sanctuary (isn’t that what it’s there for after all), but got over it by barbequing for the first time in months!
It was our first vacation from “the trip” and it was a beautiful break from traveling. Spending time with family recharged our travel battery and although we were shaken, we weren’t stirred…from continuing our travels… and so we went on (looking back on it there should have been martini’s!).
The Travel Chica says
Your story reminds me of when I felt my very first tremor in El Salvador. I was at the house of a family that lived in San Salvador. There was a barely noticeable movement, and I had no idea what happened. They looked and me and said, “temblor.” I got all excited and told them it was “mi primero.” Now had the earth really been moving like what you experienced, I don’t think I would have been nearly as excited.
Cathy Sweeney says
Having experienced the Loma Prieta earthquake while in San Jose, CA, I totally relate to what went through your mind during the earthquake. But being on a beach with the threat of a tsunami is something that adds a whole new dimension to the experience. Glad you were able to continue your vacation on a positive note in such a beautiful place.
Jeremy Branham says
What a scary moment! Considering all the earthquakes lately, you don’t take things for granted any more when you experience one!
The Dropout says
That does sound very scary. I’ve seen the devastation a tsunami caused in Phuket… and watched in horror as the Japanese news coverage showed vision of the March 11 tsunami there. Nature can be very destructive. I’m glad you all came through that one unharmed.
robin says
I have never experienced an earthquake and am happy to keep it that way!
Sophie | Sophie's World says
Dramatic experience that. Good thing you escaped unharmed.