Kia Kaha Christchurch

I remember where I was on 22nd February 2011 at 10.51am in Melbourne.  Sitting at my desk in the office, chewing on the top of a pen and trying to think of ways to procrastinate and avoid a mountain of paperwork.  


My cellphone vibrated; a message from my Mum in Dunedin.  It read "Whoa!  That was a hell of a shake, hope it's not another big one in Christchurch".  


Within minutes, it was clear that it was indeed another big one in Christchurch.  A shallow 6.3 magnitude earthquake shook the city at 12.51 pm, collapsing buildings, damaging infrastructure and killing 185 people.  I can't pretend to know how the earthquake felt, or how hard it has been to deal with the aftermath, but I do know how it has affected some people I am close to, and my heart goes out to the capital of the South.

The image of the crippled Christchurch Cathedral has become somewhat of a symbol of the February 22 earthquake.  Previously an icon of the centre of the city, the fate of the site is now unknown (as for much of the rest of the CBD).


Today's entry is not the jovial writing that I normally try to stick to, and nor should it be.  I shed tears for Christchurch a year ago and I paused my work day today to shed a few more for the people whose lives have been torn apart by a natural disaster of the magnitude that my generation had never previously seen on home soil.


In an attempt to return to some kind of normality, Christchurch residents have displayed amazing resilience and courage.  Many have had to deal with the loss of family, friends, neighbours and colleagues.  They have had to clean and repair their properties time and time again through the many thousands of aftershocks, some of significant magnitude.  They have had to work through the exhausting layers of governmental and insurance bureaucracy in an attempt to rebuild, relocate and begin the next chapter.  They have had to put up with wonky roads, portaloos and power cuts.  And they have had to maintain strength for the sake of themselves and their families.  For the way in which they have managed this, the people of Christchurch should be commended.  They are smiling against the odds and the sense of community spirit in the city has been incredible.


I recently came across a heartwarming sight on the Lonely Planet website, with Christchurch labelled as one of New Zealand's most exciting cities:


http://www.lonelyplanet.com/new-zealand/christchurch-and-canterbury/christchurch/travel-tips-and-articles/76957


The article outlines the many activities that can still be experienced in Christchurch, with attractions such as the shipping container shopping centre that has been erected in the Cashel Mall.  Vibrant and colourful, it outlines the resourcefulness of the local businesses wonderfully:

       The most unique shopping centre in the world...




Visiting this wonderful city is an excellent way to help the rebuild, with tourist dollars much needed by the weary economy.  If you are considering a jaunt to the land of the long white cloud, spend a few days getting to know Christchurch and the people who live there.  It will be worth your while.


Blue skies and steady ground,


-E