I experienced my first ever earthquake. At midnight on July 6th when I was watching the Michael Jackson remembrance show on MSNBC, I heard a rumble. It was louder than a thunder but softer than a blast; something like a Harley starting right outside my door. Within fraction of a second, my whole house shook, windows rattled and furniture squeaked. It lasted for only couple of seconds and then everything went back to normal. My first reaction was a lightening and thunder. However, the skies were clear and there was no lightening for sure. The immediate next reason that hit me was an earthquake. Earthquake in Richmond!!
I called my friend in California and told him my experience. He laughed and joked that it was just my stomach rumbling for some food (he thinks that I starve myself). Could it be a rumble in the tummy? Actually, it could have been. Not in my tummy but certainly someone in Richmond. My guess was the unknown person on my flight to Richmond.
Two hours before midnight (night of the quake), I had boarded a flight to Richmond. The flight was full and everything seemed fine until the flight door closed. As the flight was ready for take off, I smelt smelly flatulence (fart for most). Disgusting will be a mild word for this. I had to hold my breath and nearly choked myself to death. I looked around and saw that several other passengers were having the same reaction. A scary thought came to my mind. Is this the end or are we going to be in this gas chamber for the next 90 minutes?
My fear turned into reality when the next dose of nitrogen, ammonia and possibly all smelly gases was released. By this time, I could hardly breathe and was holding my hands tightly over my nose. The lady sitting on the other seat removed her perfume and sprayed it all over her nose for quick release. Few air particles from her perfume soothed the air a little bit. However, the smelly fart won the contest and in no time, we were drugged with the smelly fart again. In the air tight chamber, we had no escape. I am sure the person who was the origin of the flatulence wouldn’t have revealed himself/ herself by getting up and using the flight restroom. It would be too embarrassing by now.
As soon as the flight landed, most of us were ready to break the window and smell fresh air or run out fast. But we couldn’t do either as we sat at the rear of the plane. I hate the word “rear” in this case. Anything to do with rear is just obnoxious. The 90 minutes on the flight were a torture and a ride for all of us to the time of holocaust. I pray and have sympathy for the victims of the gas chamber; more so now than ever.
The time between our flight landing and the earthquake was approximately 60-70 minutes; enough time for the smelly person to reach home. So was the 2.3 magnitude quake a result of strong release of air and gas from the smelly guy? When we thought that we were out of danger, the smelly person released the bio weapon with earth shaking consequence.
My first encounter with earthquake will be remembered for more than 1 reason.
