By Mike DiBiase
IT’S FAR TOO EARLY TO THINKWE’VE MADE IT THROUGH THE WORST OF THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC... AND THE RESULTING ECONOMIC DISASTER.
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A white “ridge” had formed along the horizon. Even worse, the ridge seemed to be heading straight for them across an otherwise tranquil sea. They didn’t have any way to escape it. Edie and her companions were sitting in the crosshairs of an incoming tsunami. They didn’t know it at the time, but a magnitude 9.1 to 9.3 earthquake – the third-strongest ever – struck that morning off the western coast of Indonesia. And as a result, waves that would rise to as high as 130 feet were racing across the Indian Ocean at speeds up to 500 miles per hour. A sick feeling came over Edie as she watched the massive incoming tsunami capsize a sailboat without much effort. The group became paralyzed with fear. They were helpless. In the next instant, Edie was thrown underwater and spun around as if she were inside a giant washing machine. The wave banged her head repeatedly against the rocky limestone cliff. Finally, the water calmed down and Edie was able to swim to the surface. She saw her boyfriend, sister, and mother also at the surface and thought to herself, “We’re all OK.” Unfortunately, everyone wasn’t OK.
Edie Fassnidge will never forget the picture- perfect scene along the Thai coast... In late 2004, the 25-year-old England native went on a months-long vacation with her boyfriend, Matt. They climbed Mount Kinabalu in Malaysia, bought their first digital camera at a high-tech mall in Singapore, and learned to surf in Bali. Edie’s mother, Sally, and younger sister, Alice, later met up with the couple in Thailand to celebrate Christmas. On the morning of December 26 – Boxing Day – the skies were blue, the water was clear, and the weather was calm. So the group of four decided to rent kayaks and enjoy the gorgeous scenery. They started out at Ao Nang Beach, heading south toward Tonsai Bay and Railay Beach. Along the way, Edie stopped to take some pictures. As she later recalled to Guardian ... I remember saying, “It’s so beautiful here.” We were floating along in the sea, and there was a dramatic limestone column right by us, a little island in the background, and we were all really happy. But all of a sudden, the air felt different. And Edie noticed something strange off in the distance...
American Consequences
17
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