How I Remember Christchurch, Earthquake Anniversary

Christchurch Humor, Christmas 2010, post Sept 2010 Earthquake, pre Feb 2011 earthquake

A year ago on February 22, Christchurch, New Zealand was devastated by an earthquake magnitude 6.3 that claimed hundreds of lives – fathers, mothers, daughters, sons, brothers, and sisters. I lived in Christchurch from February 2003 to July 2010, missing the first horrible earthquake by mere months. Even though I had moved to Auckland by then, it still affected me and I still think about Christchurch often.

My friend Bex Davies wrote this account for the NZ Herald of what life in Christchurch is like for her and her kids 1 year on from the earthquake. It’s beautifully written,  I was saddened by how her children now play “earthquake”.

New Zealanders everywhere both in Christchurch and overseas will be observing a moment’s silence at 12:51 PM (NZT) / 6:51 PM(EST) to commemorate one of the country’s darkest times in history.

Below are some pictures of Christchurch before I left, before the earthquake.

Monkey #1 at New Brighton Beach, his playground for 3 years
Kite Day, January 2010
Kite Day, January 2010
Kite Day, January 2010
The view of New Brighton Beach from my office, Guy Fawkes, November 2009
Blossoms by the River Avon, September 2009

 

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker, Shave for a Cure April 2010
Christchurch Air Force Museum, April 2010

4 thoughts on “How I Remember Christchurch, Earthquake Anniversary”

  1. It makes me sad to think about the devastation caused by the earthquake. I hope the rebuilding of the community is going well.

  2. Although we only lived there for several months, Kathy and I have fond memories of the city. I just can’t imagine how things have changed. So sad. Hopefully we’ll revisit one day. x

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