Earthquake Part 8

Now

Today is the local public holiday in memory of those lost in the earthquake. There has been a lot of debate about the timing for this event, with many feeling that it is too early. I also thought that it was too early, but after teaching for four days this week, our first week back, I was too tired to think straight yesterday afternoon and decided that a day off would be most welcome. I think that even those of us with minor damage and inconvenience and grief are still struggling to cope with the momentous events over the last month. Everyone says "are you OK?", and the stock answer is "Yes", but it is often a bit of an act, and it is hard to get behind the facade to check on how people really are.

Our friend who left town the day after the earthquake is back staying with us for a few days and wanted to go to the memorial service. I got out the map and looked for the place closest to Hagley Park that did not require me to cross Barrington St and Brougham St, two main roads that have been gridlocked lately. I dropped my friend off complete with sun-hat, water, sunblock, cushion, marshmallows, cell phone and emergency toilet paper, then came home to garden. Even though we have not been watering for three weeks the weeds have still grown, and I discovered cracks in the front garden - maybe due to drying out rather than earth movement, as the lawn and pavement do not seem to be cracked in the same places.

I watched some of the memorial service on TV and was pleased to see Prince William planting a new tree to begin the replacement of those that needed to be removed due to earthquake damage.

Then (22 February)

Once the power came back we were able to watch television. Our jaws dropped in disbelief at the scenes of our city crumbling, and the people - those in crisis, and those responding, helping, coming to the rescue. There was only so much we could take, and turned it off. Conversation flagged as shock and tiredness caught up with us. Phone calls and texts were made - friends, family, colleagues checked up on. We have a phone that does not need a separate power supply so were able to talk to some people that way before the power came back, phone lines permitting. I wish I had kept notes at the time, because I am finding it hard to remember this time with any confidence.

Earthquake Part 4

Then (22 February)

Seven of us (L1, L2, L3, L4, M, J and me) left Victoria Square heading down Armagh Street. We walked slowly and carefully down the middle of the road, looking to right and left as we went and trying to take in the scale of what was happening to our city.

Reaching the intersection of Armagh Street, Rolleston Avenue and Park Terrace we stopped to reassess. L3 and L4 turned right to walk towards Harewood - L4's car was on the top floor of the Farmers carpark, and although L3 lived in the opposite direction, none of us wanted to let L4 go off on her own. M, J and L2 kept going over to Hagley Park looking for a toilet. L1 and I turned left and headed down to check whether my car was any use to us.

This part of the journey was harder - down Armagh Street we had been able to keep to the centre of the road, but Rolleston Avenue had parked cars, footpaths blocked with fallen bricks, and moving traffic as parents came and went collecting their children from Christ College. We walked on the outside of the parked cars but did not feel safe. Getting to the car park we were relieved to find my car intact and accessible, and I looked at my watch to see that we had made it back within the $8 parking ticket we had pre-paid - it was about 3:15, but felt so much later after what we had been through.

Heading back to the corner of Armagh and Rolleston, we were expecting to meet up with the others who were going to return there after finding a toilet. We were standing on the corner when the ground shook again, dropping us to the ground. What an irony, that clutching the ground seems to be an instinct, in spite of the fact that the ground is proving itself untrustworthy!