It has been a week of challenge when I reflect back on it. I had to see a specialist on Wednesday to have a check up (......like a camera put into my bladder!) and was cleared of any problems. The problem was likely to have been the big "C", rust or whatever you want to term it. Yes it did make my eyes water and yes it was a pretty sobering experience which I took some time to reflect upon and be thankful for my life, family, awesome job and great friends.
Then early on Saturday morning the whole region was in harms way. Not just a one off random act (like the tragic death we saw of the elderly couple killed by a loser running from the Police) but one that involved every Cantabrian, South Islander and New Zealander in some form. Regardless of school attended (Canterbury thing), education, income, vocation or where we live, at 4.26am Saturday morning we all had a life changing experience.
For me it was my wife waking me with a shout (just as the roar of the earthquake hit) that saw us get out of bed and make a run for our wee girl who sleeps downstairs. We were thrown around the room and down the stairs, from side to side in the loudest roar whilst the whole house literally shook and moved violently. Hitting the ground floor there was "stuff" flying everywhere as benches cleared, pictures smashed down off walls and things not tied down were flung around. Getting to Caetana's bedroom was a mission and she leapt onto me as we took shelter under a door. It was nearly a full and terrifying minute before things stopped and we were rocked by ongoing movements.
My initial fear was of tidal wave (Mental note: that living next to the sea is becoming a real pain in the ass). Gathering thoughts we were quickly into clothes and joined half the neighborhood on the street. Alarms going off and people starting to leave in their cars. We were all alive and no buildings down! I wondered immediately how Wellington had feared because as a city (and our capital) it is particularly vulnerable. We did not lose power, phones or water (yet) so we had light and could gather the things we needed. Torch (nowhere to be found) & radio. There seemed to be no threat of the big wave so we settled upstairs and waited for dawn listening to the radio. We were able to check in on family and whilst cell coverage was overloaded, text did make it through.
We have been rocked by dozens of aftershocks (one as I type this) registering over 5 since the big one and there is a wide realisation just how lucky we have been. Lucky that Christchurch does not have lots of high rise buildings, lucky that it was at night thus avoiding mass casualties & the confusion of split families and getting home. We are lucky our building code has held us in good stead with most buildings staying remarkably intact. We are lucky the City, Civil Defence and Government have been able to and indeed have responded so quickly.
I took some pictures (
link to NZ Herald pics here) around the place as I was out and about yesterday and it is impossible not to be in awe of the power of nature. Roads, bridges, buildings just shunted and munted. Cracks, the ground lifting things buckling......no way of avoiding the effects when it hits like that!
Overall it has been a big week and one we will all learn a lot from. I'm glad Dad is coming over for lunch and that we are all still in one but!
I am also proud of the way our Southern City responded. Calm and responsive with a genuine sense of community. It will take more than 7.1 to nail Canterbury......not so keen to try 8 just yet!
Click here for a
You Tube Video of damage.
