The Human Spirit

     Everday, here in Japan we are exposed to the strength of the human spirit displayed by the survivors of the earthquake and tsunami. I often find myself shedding tears as I watch a report on TV and at the same time feel the strength of the human spirit.
     Just as the temperature is dropping here in Yokohama,the temperature is dropping mid-winter levels in the disaster areas where fuel and other essentials are severely lacking. Supplies are not reaching some areas.
Earlier in the day there were reports of trcuk drivers making U-turns on supply runs because they refused to go near areas with alledged radioactivity. The towns requiring the supplies are no where near the restricted zones. They are currently surviving on one riceball and one banana a day. Fuel is lacking to keep warm.
      One reporter followed a grandfather and his grandson (perhaps lower elementary) searching for his daughter, the mother of his grandson. They were looking for the car she had been driving when the tsunami had it the town. The found the battered car in a parking lot and rescue was called. You have to remember 7 days had already passed. When the rescue folks put up a blue sheet to block footage of a body being recovered it was clear the mother had not made it. The mother's sister was also at the scene and you could hear her calling out to the deceased. At the end of the report, the sister kept on repeating "I have to be strong". The look on the son's face was heart breaking.
     I was shocked when I read on  Face Book that my High School had sent a band to Japan on Monday!
I cannot understand why they would even think of coming much less coming at a time like this.  I feel it is very disrespectful to the dead and the survivors struggling to get back their lives. Not only that they put themsleves at risk. Just a while ago we had a RS 4 qauke which lasted long. Now it seems our government is cautioning US citizens to leave Japan.