What a day!!!!!
We arrived at work to hear the news that there had been a bomb blast on the metro line and within a short time news of a second blast. We had walked to work and so were unaware it was happening at that time - but soon the sirens started and continued for several hours. Over 40 people died and many injured.
A Salvation Army response world wide would be to be there with the cuppa and sandwiches - but no so easy here in Moscow. So as we brought staff together, we believed the best strategy would be to purchase water and juice and chocolates and present ourselves at the disater zone. Our gifts were well received but we could not stay. So a small step to introduce what we can do. But there is much work needed to build a relationship that would see us as part of the emergency response.
The news of the disaster travelled quickly as people from around the world contacted to see everyone was ok. No news is good news - and it would seem that no army people have been affected.
We travelled on the metro later in the day and whilst numbers appeared to be way down and the police presence way up - there was little to show what had happened on this day. We boarded at train at the station of one of the bomb sites - a crossover line so we were on the second line. There was a small aroma - sort of smokey smell - you could see people were watchful around them - but life seemed to have returned to normal - and this was within 10 hours of the blast. By the evening, there was little activity outside the metro stations - a couple of TV crews suggested something was going on. Everyone seemed to be getting on with life. No memorial site, no flowers just people going about their business.
Today was also the day for a parcel from home. A recent visitor to Aus brought back a parcel so it was exciting to have it land on the desk. We have just gone through the notes and cards that have been collected along with 3 packages of artwork from our grandsons. We celebrated the tin of milo by cracking it open tonight to have on our icecream( we emptied our last tin a week ago and have been on rations for a while). In the parcel was a new baby laptop purchased in aus on special - so the kids had tested it to see it works and there is a variety of fun photos and videos for us to look at and treasure.
But the day was not over.......this evening we were invited to the Australian Ambassadors house for a private recital for an visiting musician. Ray Chan is 21 year old Australian violinist and is in Moscow to perfom in a concert. The ambassador had invited a small group of friends and associates to this performance and so we we treated to 2 special numbers of virtuoso violin from this brilliant young musician. As we sat and took in the music we were blessed to be there. The skill and passion of his playing on the 1708 Stradivarius amazed us. The aussie pride was strong as this young man greeted us and spent some time walking and talking with the guests.
So now we are finally home, catching up on the news of the day, looking at the news reels and graphic images of what has happened in this city. Glad we are safe .... but thinking of the many families who will be grieving tonight, the emergency workers who faced the disaster front on, the many thousands of people who witnessed scenes that no one would want to see.
Lets see what tomorrow brings.......the snow is melted and the bulbs begin to show there heads ..........spring is coming .........a new day in Moscow!
