AT first, the last Friday of September seemed like any other day to Shirley Chowindra. Almost every weekend, the owner of the Mary Glow Hotel and Restaurant in Palu, Central Sulawesi, was made busy with wedding receptions at her restaurant. Two weddings had been scheduled for 7pm Central Indonesian Time that day. Like usual, once the food was ready, Shirley would begin serving in her restaurant.

But an earthquake struck at 6:02pm. Shirley rushe