As the Nation Bleeds again - Christchurch's Second Earthquake

Unreal, Surreal, Unfathomable.

The images from Christchurch over the past few days have been mind-reeling, it is a war zone, it's completely devastating, it's horrific, it's the worst natural disaster this nation has faced, and with the population being as it is, everyone knows someone who has been hurt, or lost loved ones.

Living at the other end of the nation leaves me slightly removed from it all, and not knowing anyone personally involved, but there is so much news, the radio is constantly filled with updates as well as on the TV, and you see and hear the pain and suffering, daily, hourly, and it hurts.

Today my children had a ceremony at school for a new building, and amongst the cheer and joy in erecting something for the community at large to enjoy was a minute silence of remembrance.

A minute where the hundreds of students, teachers, parents, visitors and officials joined together in thought for those hurting the most, and it's brought home again how real this is.

Through it all is also amazing encouragement. Yet again the people band together to help each other. A nation that has suffered in the past 6 months, this is the third earthquake for that region, and there has been the disaster at Pike River mines, yet the people give, and help, and love, and care.

I heard on the radio the call go out for blood donors for the blood bank, 24 hours later the call says to stop, there is ample supply.

I hear the facebook group, the Student Volunteer Army is re-assembling to go in and help clean up, listen to those who need to talk and offer support as needed - and in 24 hours there are over 10,000 volunteers, as I wrote this there are almost 15,000.

The Red Cross opens for donations, and the world responds - late this afternoon there were more donations from overseas than from NZ itself.... and it's needed, this is a small nation, and can only do so much.

Telecom enables all public phones in the region to have free calls. Air NZ puts on extra flights and offers $50.00 flights to anywhere in the country. ANZ kicks in $1 million dollars to relief efforts, local business The Mad Butcher put in $20,000, and the support comes in from around the world.

Response teams arrive from all around the world and help sift the buildings in hope for the living, and work through the buildings in the city clarifying those that are safe.

People offer tents in the disaster area for those displaced to have a roof over there heads. Trademe.co.nz makes a section devoted to the earthquake, fundraisers start up, accommodation is offered and so much more.

I am inspired by this young man - offering himself to do work for the highest  bidder, and donate all finds to the appeal.

The response has been amazing, I am truly floored by how quickly the people of this nation as well as those around the world have moved in to do whatever they can to help.

For those who have lost loved ones, I offer my heartfelt condolences. For the city that is in tatters I hope that the toll is not as high as predicted... and for the nation that is hurting I weep with you, and offer what I may to help.

Discovering Auckland

Things I love about Auckland? Let me tell you of a few.

I love the nickname for the people who reside here - Jafa's.


I know the 'F' stands for something else, but I like to think of it as Just Another Friendly Aucklander ;) I went to a conference in the city last year, and some of the people were playing on this and had a large bowl of Jafa lollies for people to help themselves to - I took a few packets home with me.

I love the Harbours.
Across Twin harbours the city scape really is nothing like anything I have seen before. I've resided in Sydney for a many year, being another famous town on a Harbour, but Sydney is nothing like Auckland. In Auckland you can pretty much drive for 10 minutes in any direction and see water, I constantly feel closer to nature, and I love this.

I'm fascinated by the landscape.
The volcanic foundation of the city makes for rolling hills and unusual architecture. There are 50 volcanic cores and dormant volcanoes around Auckland. Many of which are built upon. In Australia, I am used to the land being cut and filled - each block or section of land being leveled for the house to sit on. In Auckland they leave the land, and level the house, which may take 1, 2 or 3 levels to accommodate the amount of house that is desired.

I love the people.
They really are very friendly and helpful, and appreciate others, not all people are this way, but a great many are. I remember parking in a shopping centre, very early on being in the country, and seeing a guy doing something under the dashboard of his car. I had to go and at least talk to him, in case he was attempting to steal it. I went up to the window, nervous as anything and asked " Hey, can you use some help?" He replied "No, I'm just fixing the  <insert something mechanical here>" He showed me the packets he had from Dick Smiths and the parts he was trying to fix. Then.. he turned and said "Thanks very much for asking". Such a nice guy, thanking me for checking if he was stealing a car.

Auckland really is full of friendly people ;)