May 8 2011: Mother's Day....my pick of outings. Well, a bike ride was ruled out due to the clouds promising rain. So a drive it was. We didn't go far, just down to the Misawa Fishery Port. Above is the bustle of a year ago. Below....the heartbreak of today. This is the first time that we have been able to get down to the port. It was hard to see.
But at the same time, progress is being made. Piles of bricks, netting, and other salvage items sit and wait to be sorted. Misawa Port may have been destroyed, but only 2 lives were lost. As far as I know, no homes were destroyed by the tsunami. http://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/earthquake-disaster-in-japan/misawa-busily-repairing-port-but-long-ago-planning-helped-minimize-damage-1.142021
Above, some of the rubble from the pavement being pushed up by the wave. Last time I was here there were about 20 boats tied up.
Above, some of the rubble from the pavement being pushed up by the wave. Last time I was here there were about 20 boats tied up.Below: That ditch used to be a road leading out to one of the piers.
Above: This is as close to the beach that we can get. The lifeguard station still stands, though it is missing a few windows. It is unsure when the beach will reopen. Probably not this year, the priority is the port. (as it should be)
If you recall, just February 26 (or there abouts) we went to Momishi beach. We went back, though like Ms Veedol Beach, we weren't allowed in. The good news is the sea wall held! And since clean up efforts have been ongoing, there is actually less sand on this side of the wall. When we went yesterday, we could see the wall, the steps built into the wall, and behind where we are standing is an access ramp! (go figure!)
It's a barricade that one could very easily ignore. But not wanting to become part of the problem...we obeyed. (though as always the renegade in me wanted to go to top of the sea wall and see what the beach itself looks like!)
Above: This is as close to the beach that we can get. The lifeguard station still stands, though it is missing a few windows. It is unsure when the beach will reopen. Probably not this year, the priority is the port. (as it should be)
If you recall, just February 26 (or there abouts) we went to Momishi beach. We went back, though like Ms Veedol Beach, we weren't allowed in. The good news is the sea wall held! And since clean up efforts have been ongoing, there is actually less sand on this side of the wall. When we went yesterday, we could see the wall, the steps built into the wall, and behind where we are standing is an access ramp! (go figure!)
It's a barricade that one could very easily ignore. But not wanting to become part of the problem...we obeyed. (though as always the renegade in me wanted to go to top of the sea wall and see what the beach itself looks like!)For this part of the country, business has pretty much returned to normal. Volunteer missions have come to an end (there will be some here and there) as the Japanese government has made a budget to pay crews to do clean up.
We're glad to be back in Japan! (there are still aftershocks....just to keep you on your toes!)
