It was a day like any other. My boyfriend dropped me to work for half nine and I had spent the morning rolling cutlery, stocking the wine shelves and assembling the new wine list. The manager sat in the corner discussing the day-long music plans for the up and coming St Patricks Day. Since we were the most popular Irish bar in Christchurch it was going to be a big one for us. At dinner time the customer flow was slack so I went to stand at the front door, see if I could lure any passing trade in. I stood there, watching the workers on their lunchtime, thinking how I needed to take my mate Michelle out for dinner that night as it was her birthday.
Then everything shook. Now, Ive been in Christchurch four months at this stage, Ive been through my fair share of aftershocks so I stood my ground for it to pass. But it didnt pass, it got much stronger, stronger than anything I had ever felt. I went to run back to the door of the pub to get people out but the door was unreachable. I realised then I needed to get away from the building, I ran towards the outdoor benches. The forces were so strong though I got thrown from my feet. As I pulled myself I heard a horrific noise. I spun around just as a shop across from me fell in on itself. This was definelty different to anything we had before. I stood in shock and watched as Cashel St enveloped in dust, as the builders from a few doors up vaulted over the temporary fences they had up outside the buildings they were working on. Working on since the Boxing Day aftersock that had did so much damage, but this was worse.
As the builings came down, and the walking wounded walked towards us we began to realise how bad it was, and how much worse it was going to get. The police were quickly on the street, ushering us out of the city, clearing the areas so help could get to those who really needed it.
That afternoon we sat on my friend back porch, nursing beers, listening to the radio from his housemates car, our bodies bracing against each and every aftershock.
Later that night I got a text from my boyfriend across town that he was coming for me. Our journey was one taken very carefully as there were no city lights to guide us and the roads were heavy with silt and liquidfaction. There was also the problem that all the roads were split and mangled, some totally impassable. Finally we got as far to New Brighton as we could and parked up. Already there were reports of break ins in these cars, already the rats were out to profit on others misfortune. We made our way across Bridge Street, using a small push bike lamp to pick our steps around the cracks. The bridge itself was pushed about a foot out of the road. After that we had to wade through a lake of, well I dont want to think what we wade through, but it was up to our knees. Finally we made it to the candle-filled house where I got out of my wet clothes, and had to wear my boyfriends, everything I opened was in my house on Kilmore St, which is now red-stickered in the cordoned-off CBD.
We got through the week keeping busy surviving. The first day we were busy collecting water. The council had water tankers out in the suburbs by 11 AM, however none of them had taps, so we sought water elsewhere. The second day was a slow trek through traffic towards Belfast to get food and petrol. The third day we got a huge supply of water and a generator. Finally we were in a position of relative comfort, now all we could do was wait.
And so I still wait. Im no longer in New Brighton, due to a earthquake-stress-related breakdown by above mentioned boyfriend. However I will always be gratefull to him for how he took care of me when I most needed it. And to my friends now who have taken me in when I was suddenly left without, what I though, was my only resource.
Its times like these you really see the truth of a person: the majority of people cant do enough to help each other, from offering rooms to families without homes, to just words of support from the lady working at the local dairy. However there are those who only want to loot and steal, making a miserable situtaion all the worse for some people. I strongly support the media who 'name and shame' these louts, Christchurch is a proud city, and will be once again, we dont need people like you in here.
Those of us who are still left are sticking by each other and want to stay.
Then everything shook. Now, Ive been in Christchurch four months at this stage, Ive been through my fair share of aftershocks so I stood my ground for it to pass. But it didnt pass, it got much stronger, stronger than anything I had ever felt. I went to run back to the door of the pub to get people out but the door was unreachable. I realised then I needed to get away from the building, I ran towards the outdoor benches. The forces were so strong though I got thrown from my feet. As I pulled myself I heard a horrific noise. I spun around just as a shop across from me fell in on itself. This was definelty different to anything we had before. I stood in shock and watched as Cashel St enveloped in dust, as the builders from a few doors up vaulted over the temporary fences they had up outside the buildings they were working on. Working on since the Boxing Day aftersock that had did so much damage, but this was worse.
As the builings came down, and the walking wounded walked towards us we began to realise how bad it was, and how much worse it was going to get. The police were quickly on the street, ushering us out of the city, clearing the areas so help could get to those who really needed it.
That afternoon we sat on my friend back porch, nursing beers, listening to the radio from his housemates car, our bodies bracing against each and every aftershock.
Later that night I got a text from my boyfriend across town that he was coming for me. Our journey was one taken very carefully as there were no city lights to guide us and the roads were heavy with silt and liquidfaction. There was also the problem that all the roads were split and mangled, some totally impassable. Finally we got as far to New Brighton as we could and parked up. Already there were reports of break ins in these cars, already the rats were out to profit on others misfortune. We made our way across Bridge Street, using a small push bike lamp to pick our steps around the cracks. The bridge itself was pushed about a foot out of the road. After that we had to wade through a lake of, well I dont want to think what we wade through, but it was up to our knees. Finally we made it to the candle-filled house where I got out of my wet clothes, and had to wear my boyfriends, everything I opened was in my house on Kilmore St, which is now red-stickered in the cordoned-off CBD.
We got through the week keeping busy surviving. The first day we were busy collecting water. The council had water tankers out in the suburbs by 11 AM, however none of them had taps, so we sought water elsewhere. The second day was a slow trek through traffic towards Belfast to get food and petrol. The third day we got a huge supply of water and a generator. Finally we were in a position of relative comfort, now all we could do was wait.
And so I still wait. Im no longer in New Brighton, due to a earthquake-stress-related breakdown by above mentioned boyfriend. However I will always be gratefull to him for how he took care of me when I most needed it. And to my friends now who have taken me in when I was suddenly left without, what I though, was my only resource.
Its times like these you really see the truth of a person: the majority of people cant do enough to help each other, from offering rooms to families without homes, to just words of support from the lady working at the local dairy. However there are those who only want to loot and steal, making a miserable situtaion all the worse for some people. I strongly support the media who 'name and shame' these louts, Christchurch is a proud city, and will be once again, we dont need people like you in here.
Those of us who are still left are sticking by each other and want to stay.
VIEW 10 of 10 COMMENTS
throughnthrough:
the profile name made me stop in...so, hello! 
sounds interesting....
sounds interesting....
kiljoy:
Heya, I really hope you're ok down there.