Sobering

60,000 people died in Banda Aceh alone in the 2004 earthquake/tsunami. The place was flattened. All buildings above 3 stories toppled.

Imagine 9/11 times twenty.

44% of the population of the region were lost. Altogether, almost 250,000 people.

(Now, apparently, the local economy is getting a boost from all the people who go there to volunteer. English bilinguals can make good money as drivers and interpreters, so says Lonely Planet.)

The loss of such a large portion of a community. How do I walk into that and participate?