Melinda Shiraki
Melinda Shiraki
aftermath felt pounding
It felt like someone was pounding on the window. But it was the aftermath that was shocking.
best changes excited feeling
That was the best feeling in the world. Everybody's so excited to be home, I don't think we'll take things for grated ever again. It just changes everything.
believe days five food happy hell
We couldn't believe we were out. After five days of being in Hell and not having food and water, we were just so happy to come to a town.
across best family food giving whatever
We just did the best we could. Every day we'd set out and try to get food and water, and then we'd come across a family who had nothing and end up giving them whatever we had.
advice asking best clean comparable people supplies
We just did the best we could, and got the doctor's advice on what was comparable to the meds people were asking for. We were also able to get some clean supplies like bandages, ointments and creams.
cab gone hitch house notice people seemed
We couldn't get a cab from the house we were renting. We had to hitch a ride. Then we started to panic. We started to notice people were gone and it seemed like it was going to be really bad.
believe deal wheel
We wheel and deal for food. I can't believe we have to do this in America.
caught looting madness trying
We're trying not to get caught up in the madness -- the violence, the looting and fires.
believe days five trapped
We had been trapped there for five days and we couldn't believe it.
tells
We usually end up crying. He tells us not to be scared.
absolutely eat
They were absolutely wonderful, and we got to eat and had water.
blows city fires
They set fires in a city that has no water, which blows our minds.
It's like being in a prison, and we just wait.
adapting capable surprised switch
It's just such a switch going from rescuer to victim, in a sense. It's just about adapting and surviving. You'd be surprised what you're capable of doing when you have no other choice.