The worldwide effort to help Taiwan has also been touching to all of the Taiwanese. There have been many stories on the nightly news about the how grateful they are to all of their foreign friends. The other night on the television there was a big Quake relief show put on by almost every one of the famous singers and actors in Hong Kong including Jackie Chan. The amount of star power was like a combination of the Oscars and the Grammy's in the USA. Also all of the overseas Chinese communities in the USA, Europe and Australia have given unbelievable amounts of money, some US$13 million as of last week. From L.A. alone the overseas Chinese have given about US$5 million. Japan is also donating temporary housing used after their Kobe quake and they sent over many doctors as well. Over 21 countries sent a total of 41 rescue teams with dogs, search equipment and medical personnel.

One political problem occurred during this time, as Communist China demanded that they must first approve all relief aid sent to Taiwan. Later on China thanked all of the aid sent to Taiwan as if they actually rule the democratic and free country of Taiwan. Taiwan was insulted by these comments and used the occasion to show another reason why they need to be included as a member of the United Nations. Taiwanese Foreign Minister Jason Hu has accused Beijing of taking advantage of the island's worst natural disaster this century to play politics. Taiwan also promptly cancelled all celebrations for their 88th Anniversary celebrations of the Republic of China on October 10 to take time out for mourning.

The Taiwan government is expected to spend at least US$10 billion to repair after the quake and the civilian population will have to spend untold amounts as they rebuild their homes after the quake without any help from insurance companies. The daily reminder of the quake is definitely the power rationing which although already over in some areas, will continue for another week or so in other areas. After which time, things should begin to return to normal at least in Northern Taiwan.

One of the biggest human-interest stories of last week was of two brothers that were trapped in their fallen building. The rest of their family members were actually not home at the time as each of them had strange occurrences, which happen to keep them out of harms way that evening. The brothers however were home playing bridge when the earthquake struck and were stuck in their home for 5 days with nothing more than rotten apples to eat and water seeping through rubble to drink. Before it was over they actually had to drink their own urine to survive. Just when they thought all hope was lost, one of the brothers had a dream that there was a hole behind the refrigerator big enough to climb through. The next morning when he woke up he checked, and indeed there was and they were rescued immediately. Their mother with bloody knees from praying all week was in tears and claimed their family's luck as being the work of Buddha.

And finally in lighter news, people are talking about how the animals knew there was going to be a quake! Yes, it is true although you may not really believe it. Animals near the epicenter actually had predicted the quake and began evacuating the area. Turtles were said to leave lakes. And many larger animals were the first to leave, such as bear and deer. Also, 5 minutes before the earthquake struck, dogs were reported barking ferociously at the ground. In Japan they already know this from the Kobe quake and they now monitor catfish which will swim erratically right before a quake hits. Now if my dog could just predict the ups and downs of the stock market he would be eating steak every night. :)

Michael DePrenda
Taipei, Taiwan