Originally Posted By X-san The situation in China sure looks grim. Scary, scary stuff! I can only imagine it's so much worse there because in many cases we're talking villages made of stone buildings...very, very unsafe! Those poor people! SMDC, I live right in Urayasu. Definitely felt by many, here in Urayasu and Tokyo. Some of the biggest I've experienced in my 10 years in the country (and the one after the other thing, getting bigger and bigger, was the REALLY freaky part). Were you in Shinjuku overnight? All I can say is, it did happen in the middle of the night so you might have slept through it, plus if you were in a high-rise hotel those things are built to sway through the quakes very slowly so it's possible you didn't notice because of that (I've been up on the 10+ floor a couple times during a quake, MUCH less noticeable but even MORE freaky when you realize what's going on though...). And also, if you happened to be out in the middle of the night, I've noticed that people on the streets and sidewalks RARELY notice quakes that are very obvious to people inside sitting down.
Originally Posted By X-san ***As I come from Norway I have little experience with earthquakes, so I would think I would react to even small shaking.*** Actually, I think the opposite is true. Most people who grow up with them notice even the little ones, but people who aren't from quake zones (such as you and I) often dismiss it as a passing truck or some other thing or don't notice at all. I have noticed that I can tell, more and more, when there is a minor Earthquake compared to when I first lived here 10 years ago. ***But the quakes were maybe too far from Tokyo?*** Definitely was felt in Tokyo and Chiba, I've talked to lots of people who were awakened (as I was busily posting away, no life whatsoever, on laughingplace in the middle of the night lol).
Originally Posted By SMCD << Definitely felt by many, here in Urayasu and Tokyo. Some of the biggest I've experienced in my 10 years in the country (and the one after the other thing, getting bigger and bigger, was the REALLY freaky part). Were you in Shinjuku overnight? All I can say is, it did happen in the middle of the night so you might have slept through it, plus if you were in a high-rise hotel those things are built to sway through the quakes very slowly so it's possible you didn't notice because of that (I've been up on the 10+ floor a couple times during a quake, MUCH less noticeable but even MORE freaky when you realize what's going on though...). >> Oh, really? I stayed in Shinjuku overnight, yes, but the hotel was a low rise. I guess I’m a sound sleeper. Come to think of it, I remember hearing people on the plane back home talking about earthquakes the previous night. << Actually, I think the opposite is true. Most people who grow up with them notice even the little ones, but people who aren't from quake zones (such as you and I) often dismiss it as a passing truck or some other thing or don't notice at all. I have noticed that I can tell, more and more, when there is a minor Earthquake compared to when I first lived here 10 years ago.>> I guess that makes sense. And Tokyo is a very chaotic city for someone from a quiet place to the north. As far as I know, as many people live in Shinjuku as in Norway. It makes me quite oblivious in the evening.
Originally Posted By X-san Wow...that's an interesting factoid! So what's Norway like anyway? I'd love to visit there someday. Unfortunately, it seems like most cool places on earth are dead cold lol. (like Canada, Norway, the Netherlands etc...)
Originally Posted By dshyates I love The Netherlands. And I was there in jan. but I don't remember it being cold. Odd, I'm sure it was, but I just don't recall. I seem to remember it being very hazy and Amsterdam was quite confusing to get around. I swear that they would rearrange the streets everytime I would stop in for a coffee and a cake. It's the dangdest place. Like walking around a city designed by M. C. Esher. I also really like Toronto, Banff, and Vancouver.
Originally Posted By SMCD Well, we do usually have beautiful and warm summers, but the rest of the year it’s dark and cold. But to be honest, Norway is expensive and our cities suck. We are too few people to build anything cool, so if you were to come, come for the nature. In the western parts, like under the Jostedal Glacier where I regularly go, it is truly spectacular. There you can hike on the large mountains, ski trough untouched powder snow in the winter, climb on the glacier, or enjoy the fjords. If you’re not the outdoorsy type, there are a lot of beautiful experiences to be made even by car. The northern parts also offer a lot of beautiful scenery, but the summers are usually colder.
Originally Posted By X-san Wow...I guess that falls under the "grass is always greener" catagory. According to Wiki anyway. Either first or second this entire century on the "human development index", Norway was also voted last years "most peaceful country". Sounds like a paradise to me ('cept for the snow of course lol)!
Originally Posted By X-san ***I seem to remember it being very hazy and Amsterdam was quite confusing to get around. I swear that they would rearrange the streets everytime I would stop in for a coffee and a cake.*** LMAO. lucky bastard!
Originally Posted By dshyates i wonder if they need any news photogs in Amsterdam. I AM looking for job right now. Although that may make the weekend visitation difficult.
Originally Posted By SMCD << Either first or second this entire century on the "human development index", Norway was also voted last years "most peaceful country". Sounds like a paradise to me ('cept for the snow of course lol)!>> Well, there is no denying Norway is a good place to live. << Is it true you guys pay $11 a gallon for gas?>> More like $9.
Originally Posted By SMCD Well, It’s not a problem. We can afford it. I don’t agree with the current tax situation in Norway, but the gas price is okay I think.
Originally Posted By barboy Norway..... isn't that where the the world's only drive through McDonald's is? (Or was it one of your neighbors like Sweeden or Finland?) ***snow mobile*** drive through that is.
Originally Posted By SMCD That would be Sweden. But I’m sure it would work some places here too. At least at Svalbard … if they could keep the Polar bears away from the hamburger smell.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 < Norway is expensive and our cities suck.> I loved Norway. Expensive yes, but I thought Bergen was one of the most beautiful cities I'd ever seen. Reminded me of San Francisco physically being right on the water with all the hilliness. Oslo I found a bit drab physically in comparison but lots of fun. And the countryside, of course, is spectacular. Didn't hurt that we were there in June with about 22 hours of light a day in some spots (we didn't quite go far enough north for 24 hours of light, but it did stay light till about 12:30, then the sun rose again about 2:30).
Originally Posted By SMCD Yeah, well, don’t get me wrong. I love Norway too; it’s just that I’m not too fond of our largest cities. Bergen is the exception, though. Pretty nice place. So did you drive through the country?
Originally Posted By Dabob2 No, we took trains everywhere, except boats on the fjords, of course. Once or twice we took buses to go where the trains didn't go. Just beautiful all around.
