A Time to Mourn

One week ago, three extremely violent minutes struck a devastating blow to the world's most populous nation.  Today, at 2:28 pm, exactly one week after the event, 1.3 billion people nationwide stopped for three minutes to commemorate their collective loss.

What does it look like when 1.3 billion people in the world's busiest country stop everything?  Watch the video to see.  Some of the images look like stlls, because of the solemnity and weight of the shots.  Many of the images of traffic completely stopped are complemented by the loud sound of blaring horns, which many drivers honked in remembrance.

The mourning will continue for three days, and several events, like the Olympic torch relay and entertainment performances, will be postponed in the meantime.  Even rescue efforts were delayed for three minutes during the time of remembrance, though they're still hard at work.    

While rescue teams and relief workers continue to help out in any way that they can, hope is starting to fade for many who have lost loved ones in the quake.  The media still has glimmers of hope, like this New York Times piece about a husband and wife who were buried together, and later rescued and reunited with their daughter. 

Beyond China's borders, people worldwide have raised resources to help support many of the earthquake's victims.  China has received about $1.55 billion USD from domestic and international sources.  While this won't be enough to cover the estimated $20 billion worth of damages in Sichuan Province, but money continues to pour in. 

Of course, the financial considerations are only a small fraction of the actual earthquake cost.  People lost their lives, family members, and friends.  It will take much more than money for people to begin the long rebuilding process.   

Even though the three minutes of silence can't undo the three minutes of the earthquake, it's definitely a strong signal that China is ready to overcome this tragedy as a united nation.