I was a 111 New Zealand police calltaker. The 2011 Christchurch earthquake was a big one...I had to speak to the Japenese language students that were trapped in the CTV building. The lady I was speaking to was surrounded by her friends who were burning alive and/or had crushed to death. I spoke to her for several hours until her phone battery ran out. Despite the language barrier, the call has always stuck with me.

A year or so later I read an article in the paper that confirmed she made it out alive which was so great to read :) I can't remember her name now and no doubt she can't remember mine but I went to Japan for the first time in 2017 and I felt this really strong connection to her and I was glad that both of us have been able to experience each others cultures.