From a friend of my youngest in Peru. Experiencing an earthquake August 17: 5.55pm

I was still at my office located on floor 13 of a building from the ‘70s. We have earthquakes very often but not strong ones, actually in Spanish we use two words to define them: "temblor" (below 6 in the Richter scale, less than one minute, among other characteristics) and "terremoto" (above 6 in the Richter scale, more than a minute, etc.). So I have experienced tons of "temblores" but no "terremotos", the last time Lima had one was 1974.

6:42:00 pm (according to my mobile)

The building begins to move. I walk calmly towards the elevators, i.e. the safest area in a building. I stand next to the column thinking it will stop moving soon. I can see some of my co-workers already scared. I say don't worry, this is a safe building, keep calm.

6:42:30 pm

The building keeps shaking, every second feels stronger. Everybody is holding the other, if not you could fall. I say to myself, this is a strong "temblor". Some co-workers began crying, invocating God. There is a small interlude, I though it was ending at last...

6:43:00 pm

It begins again and with more intensity. I thought, ok this is what a "terremoto" feels like. People are crying, we are holding on even more strongly. Some are embracing the columns... You can't escape because the steps aren't the safest place and anyway 13 floors down is too much with all the movement, and it’s not 13 floors, it’s more because between floor 1 and 2 there are 4 floors of stairs.

6:43:30

I keep saying to the people next to me, don't worry it is almost over, and they keep answering, no, it's not almost over but getting worse. People continue crying, praying. The floor feels like one of those games from an entertainment park, where you can't keep your feet on it. There are sounds of things falling and breaking, by now I am thinking this was a cataclysm and that the end was indeed nigh.

It stopped for more than two minutes after it had begun, two very long minutes. I ran for my purse and began going down the stairs, distancing myself from the building. I thought I was going to find the city in ruins. I got into my car, headed towards my mother's home, the phones are busy, it's impossible to talk with anyone, the 8 million inhabitants are on the streets (or so it feels) , half of them in cars, some areas don't have electricity, no traffic-lights. Luckily all the buildings and houses in Lima are still standing. I arrive home, one hour and a half later on a trip that usually takes me 15 minutes. My family and friends are alright. However, the earthquake felt much, much stronger in the south of Peru, where most houses collapsed and people died.

Since yesterday we have had more than 700 aftershocks, most pass unnoticed but I have felt almost 20. Today I walk the 17 floors up, there is no way I am getting into those elevators!

Thanks for your emails, calls and wishes.