Just got on line.  Surprised it was possible.  Electricity out, so probably
only us with battery powered lap tops clogging things up.

Everything ok here, so far.  Got a pretty good shake.  Was out in the
streets for a couple of hours, with everyone else.  My neighborhood up on
solid rock, so things looked mostly ok.  Lots of old and bad construction
here; stones in the street.  One upper floor (abandoned) apartment half a
block from here collapsed and much debris in the stereets.  No apparent
injuries, however, in my neighborhood.  Unfortunately, other areas not so
lucky.  Saw 6.7 estimate for Izmit, the center, here (one place I passed had
a genertor and had a tv out for everyone to see).  Passed women praying, men
reading Koran, most just huddled in groups talking. Strange being in the
middle of it all with limited ability to communicate.  Know a few folks in
neighborhood and we had a few basic chats, though its amazing how much I
learned even from them.  Already knew the Turkish word for earthquake, which
is depram (revolution is devrim) and came in handy.

A few seagulls just went by and I think a neighbor down stairs up and about;
mistook that comotion for an aftershock.  A little rattled myself; much like
after SF quake.  I think memory of that still deep seeded in my
subconscious.

Again, this new technology amazes.  Better get off and save my battery.  May
need it.

Thanks for the note.  It was good to see your messages there.  I'll send
this to the rest of the family, but if they call tell them I'm ok and
worried about them worrying about me.

Love,

Mark



>From: <tskilling@tribune.com>
>To: "Mark Skilling" <markskilling@hotmail.com>
>Subject: Re: earthquake---are you all right?
>Date: Mon, 16 Aug 1999 21:55:16 -0500
>
>      Mark--
>          Have just received word of the earthquake there.  Reports are
>      preliminary but they are reporting it hit just after 3AM your time
>and
>      that buildings have collapsed and there are deaths--though they
>      haven't said how many.  It's being estimated at 7.1.
>          I've called Mom and Dad---clearly, Mark, we're very concerned.
>      Let us know you're all right.
>          Have been meaning to get to you to say hello. Hvae been following
>      your e-mails.
>          We're told phone lines are out--so haven't any idea when this
>      might get to you. Please let us know you're all right.
>          Thanks Mark.
>
>                                        Love,
>                                       Tom
>


______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com