I appreciate everyone’s concern in regards to the Yogyakarta earthquake. Fortunately, we’re all safe and sound, but thousands have perished in this terrible crisis.

Due to the earthquake occurring in the early morning, many more people were still indoors than would have been later in the day – causing many more deaths.

I feel as if Indonesia simply cannot get a rest from crisis these past few years. In only the 4 years I’ve been here the country has been hit with the tsunami, two major Bali bombing, landslides, Mount Merapi’s threat, Avian (bird) flu, Aceh unrest, numerous bombings in Jakarta, and untold stories of violence which never reach the major news networks – and now the Yogyakarta earthquake. It’s a volatile land which never fully seems to enjoy peace. The longer I stay here, the harder these issues hit.
My heart goes out to those impacted by this latest disaster.

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My brother just arrived from the States two days ago. He’ll be staying for about a month. One of our planned trips was Yogya and Borobudur – not sure if that’s feasible or even morally decent at this point.
Photo above: Tangkuban Perahu volcano, 3 hours from my home. Near Lembang above Bandung (central Java). 10-22mm.