seven Australian dollars . Despite the destruction and their losses all seemed grateful and were smiling as they worked to find any hope . All grateful that not one person had been killed or seriously injured .
A nearby store , the rear totally vanished leaving a void looking down on the river , was amazingly still operating . Returning to the man I felt compelled to hand over two crates of bottled water and a box of bananas . Motioning for him to give them to the people he grasped my arm , the most tender touch any other human being has ever given me . I felt the tears pooling again and walked away , feeling helpless and emotionally drained .
I lay in bed that evening , scrolling through the photos , wondering if this is what life is about . If this is what travel , by any means , is supposed to include . I struggled with the concept until sleep eventually took hold and I drifted off .
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