Thousands of Taiwanese left homeless by the Tuesday's massive earthquake had little to celebrate yesterday as they marked the annual Mid-Autumn Festival yesterday.
Traditionally, there are moon-viewing parties. This year many will be looking to the skies from tent cities that sprang up after more than 6,000 homes were destroyed.
"Who'd have thought this holiday we'd have become refugees?" asked one stranded woman, Liao Yu-chen.
The festival falls in the middle of the eighth lunar Chinese month, when the moon is supposed to be at its fullest. With a ripe, round moon considered a symbol of happiness, the national holiday is also time for family reunions -- which won't be happening for Taiwanese who lost their loved ones.
Others say they're lucky to be alive, with their families.
"It's not very festive," said Hsiao Ji-sen, a salesman. "But everyone's safe and we're all together."
Several hundred thousand people are reported to have been left homeless by the quake that killed more than 2,100 people. Many are adjusting to an uncertain life in tent cities or other makeshift lodging -- sleeping in cars, for example -- and hoping they can find a more stable place to live before any hard rains or winds come along.
The tent city in Chungliao, a farming center where people grow pears, peaches and a variety of vegetables, rose up on the playground of a school that suffered severe damage.
Many of the 500 or more people in the tents say they've lost everything. They don't know how long it will take to rebuild, or even if it's worth it.
"We'll look to the government for help," said Lin Tien-chao, a pharmacist whose home was destroyed. "It takes most people 20 or 30 years to save for a home. For most people, that's impossible twice in a lifetime."
Although some residents sitting amid portable toilets and piles of supplies said they may leave, Lin said he doubts many will actually go, even though rebuilding Chungliao might take a couple of years.
"Most people will stay here, because this is where they were born and have always lived," Lin said. "I'm not sure if people could adjust to life outside."
Wei Sung-nan, who farms bananas and betel nut, says he'll stay no matter what.
"The land my ancestors gave me is here," Wei said. "There's no way I can move that. Our roots are here."
Almost everyone in Taiwan has been affected. A flag flying half-staff over the presidential palace in Taipei serves as a reminder that the sorrow is everyone's to bear.
Jane Chou was reading a newspaper full of photos of collapsed buildings and crying relatives inside the departure lounge at Sungshan Airport waiting for a holiday flight to Pingtung, which was relatively untouched in the quake.
"So many people died. We won't be in the mood for celebrations," she said.
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