Here is a link to my follow up article for the Santa Barbara Independent:

http://www.independent.com/news/2010/mar/06/chile-getting-back-feet/

The city of Talca,Chile after the 8.8 magnitude earthquake in 2010.

The city of Talca, Chile after the 8.8 magnitude earthquake in 2010.

The city of Talca, Chile after the 8.8 magnitude earthquake in 2010.

Policeman in the city of Talca, Chile after the 8.8 magnitude earthquake in 2010.

The city of Talca, Chile after the 8.8 magnitude earthquake in 2010.

The city of Talca, Chile after the 8.8 magnitude earthquake in 2010.

Destroyed road north of Rancagua, Chile after the 8.8 magnitude earthquake in 2010.

I am still in Chile. The Santa Barbara Independent is publishing my story on their website. Click HERE to read my article on their site and HERE to view a profile of me on the same site. I just submitted an update from yesterdays excursion to a largely destroyed part of the country. I’ll post a link to that later.

As said above and as the images show we drove to Talca yesterday. Talca is close to where the epicenter of the earthquake was and has been largely destroyed. I’ll post a link to the full story in a little bit. Overall I am very ready to get out of here. American Airlines has been ridiculous in giving information. On Tuesday I called and the lady told me that her monitor showed Santiago airport operating normally?!? Do you guys still send information via a roll of papyrus tied to a bird over there at American Airlines?!? Aftershocks persist, actually just felt one a few seconds ago. Some are strong enough to send me to the floor next to my bed and serve a healthy dose of adrenaline. By no means are we struggling physically here in the hotel but the nerves are very raw at this point.

Despite traffic issues due to collapsed or damaged roads and bridges Santiago seems to be operating as usual, but the fear of aftershocks is written on everybody’s face.

gwg

Santiago, Chile earthquake fallen bridge

Santiago, Chile earthquake fallen bridge

Santiago, Chile earthquake fallen bridge with fireman

Santiago, Chile earthquake fallen bridge with spectators

Santiago, Chile earthquake

Santiago, Chile earthquake airport

We drove around Santiago today to document/photograph the damage from the earthquake. Santiago seems to be not too badly damaged in general. We only encountered a few spots of bad destruction and people are mostly doing things they would do anyways. Encountered the bridge pictured above though and went to the airport which was like a ghost town. Almost nobody there and the police just let us walk right up there. City seems mostly intact.

It has also been rather weird staying at the Marriott hotel, which is a nice hotel. Having a flat screen TV and watching the earthquake damage all over Chile while laying in a nice king bed was odd. Feeling all the aftershocks is not fun though, especially since I am on the 19th floor. Actually I feel like being on a boat right now. It just doesn’t feel solid under my feet. I think a lot is imaginary but then there is the occasional rumble. I have my water bottle set up to monitor shaking. We just spoke with the director of sales here and he told us that we might get into a pinch with food since the government might cut off delivery and dispense it where they need it most. Gladly giving up food for those in need though, this is the most spoiled disaster experience one could imagine.

Santiago Earthquake 2010

Santiago Earthquake 2010

Santiago Earthquake 2010

Santiago Earthquake 2010

Santiago Earthquake 2010

Santiago Earthquake 2010

Before the Santiago Earthquake 2010

We were shooting until 2:45 AM here in Santiago, Chile. Then went up to our rooms on the 19th floor and went to bed. Five minutes later everything starts shaking and I jump out of bed (naked) and run into the hallway. Realizing I had no clothes on I ran back while the whole building started to shake tremendously. Started to get really freaked out and stood under the doorway waiting it out. Then grabbed a camera and ran down the 19 floors via the stairs. Everybody was streaming out of the hotel and assembling on the streets of Santiago. Crazy! That was bad! I’ll post more later…