Final Day

We woke to find that we had not slid down the mountainside into the bay.  For the last time we slowly made our breakfast and listened to the birds squawk outside.  We packed up the rest of our stuff, squeezing wine and gifts into the bags.  After dumping the gray water and waste and filling Van to the brim with water Aundra took the wheel and we headed inland to Christchurch. 

We survived the twists and turns and got into the flat land.  At one point there was a heard of cows walking along the road causing the traffic to cross over into the other lane. It was quite the country adventure.  Soon we were to have city adventures.  We put the address for the propane fill up in the GPS and we were off to fill up the last of Van’s tanks. 

Into Christchurch we went.  With the entrance into the city, we were greeted with fewer roundabouts, more stoplights, and one-way streets.  As we zigzagged into the center of town. Van felt like an elephant in a china shop.  The city had also looked like several elephants had taken it out. 

Several earthquakes have ravaged Christchurch.  September 2010 a 7.1 with damage but no fatalities hit them. Six months later, in February 2011 another earthquake hit, 6.2.  This is the strongest earthquake in an urban area ever recorded.  185 people were killed.  It was this earthquake that did the most dramatic damage.  We found out that what buildings were left standing have since been labeled unsafe and need to be demolished.  It’s estimated the damage is over NZ$20 billion.

It was like Christchurch couldn’t catch a break.  There were two more after shocks, 5.6 and 6.0 in June 2011 and a 5.1, 4.2, and 5.5 in January 2012.   Within this 2-year period, September 2010 to 2012 there were 4,423 earthquakes over 3.0.  This heartache was apparent in the city, blocks of rubble; dozens of construction sites, and of course the collapsed cathedral. Though neither has been in a war torn city, this Christchurch had the distinct feeling of having been through a war.

The city is trying to rebuild.  They are placing new artwork and creating open space where possible.  The young people are pushing to recreate their city.  It felt very hip and up and coming, in places like a square with food trucks and a mini golf hole for anyone to play. 

There is also the cardboard cathedral.  Built in 2013, this building is a symbol of hope for the people.  

This does not mean they don’t remember those who were lost.  Across the street from the cardboard cathedral is a block of white chairs.  

These chairs symbolize the people who were killed in the February earthquake. 

Being born and raised in earthquake country it was eye opening to see the destruction of an earthquake and the struggle of the city to rebuild itself.  Maybe, if we ever return, we can see it be the thriving city it appeared to once be.  With these heavy thoughts we leave Christchurch to reinvent itself.

We put the address to Wilderness into the GPS and prepared to bring Van home.