::fragments::

I was in an unfamiliar city in the U.S. Standing on a corner, surrounded by tall buildings and a park nearby, everything stopped. The stillness grew loud. Omigod, I said aloud. Everything just got very still. I hope there won't be an earthquake. A moment later, the earth began shaking and shook violently as I ran through the streets with other strangers, trying to look up and down to make sure buildings wouldn't topple over on us, or the ground wouldn't open up.
(Sua, Ecuador)