Last Work Day for the Sapporo team, March 26

Soup Kitchen in Ofunato

The long, beautiful drive from Touno to the coaast.

It took awhile to get everyone sorted out in the morning, as the Touno CRASH base house was nearly bare when we arrived. But, how wonderful to have light and heat and hot water and a shower ( I will not shock you with the number of days since my last shower). We arrived on site at 11;00, and the team immediately set to work. Up went a tarp to make a shelter, a wood burning stove to provide heat (it is still snowing fitfully), even as our cooks prepared the meal. Ms. Kumagai went around the neighborhood inviting people. About 20 showed up. This is a residential area, with empty lots still, so there were not so many as in downtown Kamishi. They were very appreciative, though, and chatted to the team and each other. Drywall removal and cleanup around the building proceeded. Chai is now OMF Hokkaido's most experienced nail puller! Neighbors were given a hand.

Ms. Kumagai's friend from across the river was overwhelmed by the immensity of the task facing her, so 3 of the team (Mike, Sam, Pascal) went to help her. At the end of the day, we all went over to get her piano out onto the sidewalk. She was very pleased.

We did a swing through downtown Ofunato so the team could see what it looked like. The devastation is terrible.

Then, off to Touno for a good night's sleep, as far as aftershocks made it possible.