Earthquake

It was 5:40 P.M. today.  I was seated at the desk in my apartment.  I had just finished and posted my previous blog entry.  Then I heard it.  The earthquake warning siren.

The apartment made it through last September's earthquake with no damage other than a couple pieces of broken glassware.  According to the owner, the building is built on bedrock, and is much safer than those in many parts of the city which are built on former lakebed. 

Nevertheless, Alejandro, who is a tad paranoid after living through two serious quakes, determined that the safest part of the apartment is the corner of the living room farthest from the windows.  (No sense in trying to head down the stairs from the fourth floor, he said.) When the siren sounded, I went to that corner.  The picture hanging on the living room wall was shaking.  The pendulum of the wall clock that doesn't work was swinging as if it had come back to life.  I could feel the vibration.  

It only lasted a minute or two.  

When it was over, I checked on the computer to find out about the quake.  I found a earthquake tracking website, and sure enough there had been a 7.2 magnitude quake in the southern state of Oaxaca.  I doubt that there were any casualties or damage here in Mexico City, but I am fearful for the people in Oaxaca.  They have already suffered enough.