We arrived in Christchurch at around 2 pm and went to the art gallery. It was really cool and had a really interesting exhibit by Taryn Simon called: American Index of the Hidden and Unfamiliar. It was a series of pictures that showed a really interesting (and dark) side of the states. After this we were all getting a little slap happy from the lack of sleep and made our way to the Carr's house (Courtney's friend's parents home where we were invited to stay for two nights) where we were greeted and treated with the most hospitality I have ever experienced. We had such a nice time and were fed beyond our bellies capacity (this was a first, seeing as we rationed our carrots and apples on a daily basis..ha!). After our delicous dinner, Sara (the cousin) booked us all tickets for Scared Scriptless which is basically a New Zealand version of Who's Line is it Anyway? It was SO hilarious and really entertaining (also my first comedy show I've ever seen...thinkin it should happen more considering how fun this was!). We then came home and nestled into the warmest beds.
At 4:35 we were shakened up with a start as the house rolled around on what felt like marbles. Immediately my friend Hannah and I looked at each other and as we each exchanged words:
"The bookcase" and "Get to the door way" we were scurrying out of bed trying to keep our footing. With shaking hands and on the verge of crying we crouched holding onto eachother in the doorway with a pillow over our heads. Once the earthquake was over and I realized the house wasn't going to collapse we settled down a bit and found the others in the house. Everyone was okay and in awe at how huge the quake was (the biggest anyone who lived there had every felt). At this point I was so excited to call Kim and tell her that I felt an earthquake! Pretty crazy end to a rockin road trip.
A little foreshadowing had occured earlier that night when at dinner Mr. Carr was explaining to us how New Zealand was right on a fault line and how small earth quakes happen all the time. Little did we know that the biggest one since 1931 was about to happen over night. We continued to feel the aftershocks into the night (every one of them waking me up tensely). The next day proved to be absolutely gorgeous and with blue skies and a spring-like feel. After watching the news and seeing all the damage that had happened in the city center (we were just West of the city about 5 or 10 minutes) we decided to see what we could see. As we walked we saw a lot of silt that had come up through cracks in the ground and sidewalks and as we got closer to the city we started seeing parts of buildings crumbled on the ground. We also passed the art gallery again and heard the mayor of the city address that the city was in a state of emergency. Pretty crazy that only two people were seriously injured and no one died. Had it been during the day I think this statistic would have been very different. We did not make it any further into the city because the police had people evacuated and areas completely blocked off, but from the pictures I saw from my friends who had been in an old hostel (and they woke to falling bricks and a shaking ceiling), there was some major damage to some of the older buildings.
It was almost surreal how calm and beautiful the day was. After a wonderful lunch we went and played frisbe for about two hours in the picture perfect park a few minutes from the house...by this point the Carr's were gathering more people in the house because some of their friends were kicked out of their flat because the building next door way laying in the street and others were home alone and scared. When we came home from the game there were about 12 people in the house and Jenny was making us a massive, wonderful meal. It may have been the most at home I have felt since I have been in New Zealand and I hope some day my house can be just as bountiful and welcoming to all who walk through the door. I felt an immense amount of warmth from all the little lost boys (and girls) gathered around the table enjoying food, fun stories, and awe at the day behind us. What a whirlwind of a ending to a rediculously fun and challenging trip!
Hilarious improv show we saw on Friday night!
Addressing to the people of Christchurch that a state of emergency is in order.
Crumbling building pieces.
Warm room, warm friends, warm food
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