Thanks -- of a sort -- to Darren for directing me to the graphic blog entries from a volunteer in Thailand who is helping tag and process tsunami victims.

The layers of skin on my upper lip and nostrils were being gradually stripped raw from the huge burning globs of tiger balm I had been applying, but the strong menthol was no better at withstanding the stench than many beachfront bungalows did against the 30’ waves.

I feel such a wave of combined unreality and helplessness every time I see or hear accounts from the ground in Southeast Asia.