Earthquake Drills

Did you know that basically all of Peru is an Earthquake zone?

It's true. In 1746 an 8.6 earthquake absolutely wrecked Lima. In 1950 another earthquake "seriously damaged more than half the buildings in Cusco." And the Great Peruvian Earthquake of 1970 was the greatest natural disaster in Peruvian history,* killing as many as 70,000 people. 

So Peru takes earthquakes seriously. Last Friday (May 29), Theresa and I were in Cusco freeloading off the wifi in a Starbucks when we had to evacuate for a national Earthquake drill. It was really chill, we just waited out on the plaza for about 10 minutes. But it reminded me that I never talked about the earthquake drill we did at school to celebrate Earth Day. 

The school earthquake drill was a lot like a fire drill, but so much more dramatic. Besides practicing evacuation, they also practiced what would happen if kids were injured. Two students from every classroom were pre-assigned to be heridos (injured). They had to be carried down to the main office on stretchers. Theresa told me that in the high school they also assign some students as "muertos" (dead). 

It was one of those experiences that reminds you just how weird Peru seems to the US-American eyes. But that distinct Peruvian weirdness is part of why I decided to live here. 

Man down!

5th grade class safely oustide

In case your wondering what to do in case of an earthquake, click here.

*The greatest manmade disaster in Peruvian history was the arrival of the Spanish.