When I first posted the below article, I was “street informed” and had heard nothing about anybody being hurt by the earthquake. When I first read a news report on the earthquake, and the fact that people had died, I was shocked. The toll has gone from 2 to an estimated 34 over the ensuing days. We barely felt it here in Uvita. Hence, my title for this article is now inappropriate. The Big Earthquake has now become a Big Deal in Uvita. Our condolences go out to the loved ones of those hurt or killed by the quake.
I was sitting in my real estate office here in Uvita Costa Rica yesterday when I felt the floor tremble a bit. I looked around for a nearby glass of water, as is my custom. There wasn’t one. I shrugged and went on with my day, responding to e-mails, working the web sites, conversing with clients. 
A couple hours later word comes in that there was a major earthquake centered up around Poas Volcano. (Click here to read the CNN article about it.) Clients write in and ask “How you guys doing there in the zone?”. We’re fine. I remember thinking that I had felt the floor shake a bit, but I never really trust it when I feel that.
Having lived in Costa Rica for 10 years, I have gotten used to earthquakes… well sort of. I think that something tweaked in my head after having experienced a few of them. I’ve never felt threatened by one, so there isn’t an “ohhh I’m scared!” kinda thing. Actually they’re kinda cool. But they do shake the very ground you walk on, and that has had a rather strange affect on me.
After a notable shaker some years ago, I noticed that there were an inordinate amount of aftershocks going on. During one of these “aftershocks” I noticed that the glass of water next to my computer monitor wasn’t moving at all, the trembler was happening inside of me only. “Hmmmm” thought I. I’d really like to know when an earthquake is real and one is just me making it up. So I have a policy now. In the few days following an earthquake, I try and have a glass of water around, especially if it was strong shaker, so that I can monitor the veracity of the sensation.
So, I guess you could say that I live in a state of earthquakie. This is not a well known psychological term yet. But I’m sure that it will be in the near future.
The quake yesterday was slight enough here in Uvita that I just chalked it up to my earthquakie condition and didn’t think that it was real.
I have felt two earthquakes since being in Costa Rica, but neither inspired me to run to my closest tico neighbor. Although I'm sure if I did, they would have welcomed me into their house, fed me (and then fed me more) and finally insisted that I stay for the night. All kidding aside, I have found ticos quick (in fact happy) to offer assistance, whether the one in need is family or a foreigner.
In addition to those living in that north-central area around the Poas Volcano, reports are the government responded to the crisis with speed and resolve. The Costa Rican Red Cross sent 400 people and four helicopters were dispatched (including private helicopters from the U.S. and Columbia Air Force) to assist with the recovery and relief efforts.
I also read how users of Facebook, Twitter and other blogs helped get the word out immediately and globally when the Earthquake hit. This cyber-human world continues to amaze me?! Thanks for reading, GuysintheZone!