Earthquake in Costa Rica - My friend's survival story:

Did anyone hear about this? It happened on January 8th...

My friend was there and this is her survival story:

A good friend of mine who is getting married in May went there with her FH and his parents. His parents timeshare there and took them for their Christmas present. They went for about two weeks.

Well, the first hotel (they were staying at three total on the trip) was right outside San Jose and the earthquake struck literally right where they were... Melissa (my friend) and her FMIL were lounging by the pool while Greg (her FH) and his Dad were fishing nearby in this big lake the resort has... The earthquake struck, 6.1 on the richter scale!!!!! and the whole hotel started to like FALL apart -- the women had to duck for cover and Greg and his dad were fishing and the lake LITERALLY collapsed into the earth almost taking them with it. They said it was like the earth swallowed it whole.

The most unbelievable part: They had done an excursion early that morning at La Paz waterfall and after that they were supposed to go kayaking at the same location... They decided after the first excursion to just go back to the hotel because it took a lot out of them. So, they cancelled the second one and they were supposed to be there when this earthquake hit... Most of the people from that trip, up until the last time I spoke to Melissa, STILL have not been found It says on Wiki (see link below) that the majority of people missing/killed where right at that waterfall and volcano area!!!

Only some guests were allowed to go back into their rooms for like TWO minutes because the building was not sound at all to get a backpack of stuff -- Luckily, they were able to get one change of clothes and sneakers. Then, they spent the entire night huddled under a tarp in the parking lot when it was pouring raining enduring aftershocks the whole time. They said the shocks were terrifying and they had to "sleep" on the pavement because the building was not sound. The next morning they had to walk TEN miles -- TEN!!!! to the nearest city to catch a bus to the next closest major city which was much better because the earthquake didn't hit it at all. They got blistering sunburns from walking all that way since they couldn't get any sunscreen.

She was finally able to get in touch with her family who had no clue anything had happened -- her mom told me she started to really lose it on the phone when she began to recall all that happened. They just arrived home at the end of last week -- so, about four days ago. The scary part is a few of Melissa's friends and her mom's friends had seen it on the news but didn't want to say anything to her mother until Melissa got in touch with her! They were afraid to worry her with no way of getting in contact.

I just had to share that unbelievable story - they are so lucky to be alive and it was such a scary situation.


WIKI Information on it:

Re: Earthquake in Costa Rica - My friend's survival story:

WOW!!! what a story. They are very lucky.

Re: Earthquake in Costa Rica - My friend's survival story:

Re: Earthquake in Costa Rica - My friend's survival story:

That's frightening....glad to hear they are home and safe.

I can't believe they had to walk 10 miles

Re: Earthquake in Costa Rica - My friend's survival story:

what an amazing story! Your friends are so incredibly blessed to be ok and to have changed their plans. i am surprised i didn't hear about this, especially that so many people travel to warmer weather at this time.

Re: Earthquake in Costa Rica - My friend's survival story:

That is so scarey! Glad your friend is ok.

Re: Earthquake in Costa Rica - My friend's survival story:

My AP goes there all of the time. Your friend & her family are so lucky. What a story.

Re: Earthquake in Costa Rica - My friend's survival story:

Wow! I am surprised that I hadn't heard about the earthquake. My DH and I love CR and have been there a few times. Some of his friends go there several times a year. I am glad that no one I know was there and go hurt. Thank God that your friends are okay!

Re: Earthquake in Costa Rica - My friend's survival story:

WOW!! DH's uncle goes there next week and stays for 3 months. thats really scary!

Re: Earthquake in Costa Rica - My friend's survival story:

Most people that heard about it on Long Island said they happened to see a blip regarding it on FoxNews or CNN. One person said they did a quick mention on World News Tonight.

It wasn't enough that I heard about it -- nor did my friend's mother.

Re: Earthquake in Costa Rica - My friend's survival story:

WOW.. that's some story.. glad to hear they are ok..