Pictures of the campsites at Sichuan University, an old neighborhood (near the Shangri-la Hotel)gutted by the earthquake, and a hole in the 3red floor fiberglass/ plastic atrium above the location where the photo from my previous post was taken.

I was on the 17th floor when it happened. The building was

twisting on its foundation. I was standing there against the wall

shouting everything I know about getting to a doorway while I

looked out the window and saw the side of the 'C' tower moving

erratically back and forth. It sounded like a cracking glacier. I

was thinking that if it kept up for much longer that the building

was coming down. About two minutes later it stopped.

As soon as it stopped I told everyone to grab whatever they

could and then go- I made it down the stairs- the last one out.

Power was down on many floors. At street level there were pools of

blood, people crying, more people on the street than I've ever

seen. Sirens. No cell service. No messages, flat signal. Some

pavement is buckled, garbage everywhere.

People are waiting in the parks and public places for news to

come through. Nearby towns were apparently flattened, no

communication aside from the loudspeakers on the campus. I slept in

the bar until the police closed it. Later reports came in of people

jumping from the buildings to get out.

This morning most of the buildings can't be entered. Some

fell. There are rescue efforts going on in other parts of the city.

It's cold and raining now and many people don't have anywhere to

go. There were smaller earthquakes during the night and one this

morning. No water, no gas. Only thing working is the phone. Cell

service is intermittent.

Today I spent most of today walking, trying to stay away from

crowds and tall buildings. Still raining. Most shops are closed.

People camped out in every public place. Blood donation tents are

set up in the public areas. Small aftershocks all day. Nothing else

has fallen yet. Some buildings are showing obvious damage. It's not

clear how much of the city is affected. No definitive news yet. My

building is safe for now. I have a place to sleep, food, water.