Man, I haven't been here since Halloween, talk about vanishing into thin air, like a ghost.But ghost I am not, yet.
A lot of things going on, as usual (new year, moved house, back to school, started Aikido etc) but it's hard here in NZ not to think about
anything but the Christchurch earthquake on tuesday the 22 Feb, which has left the the city in shambles.
Many people are still missing, presumed dead under buildings, and people are starting to give up hope of finding them alive.
NZ is a pretty small country with only 4 million people, so something like this affects almost everybody in some way.
It's amazing to see the rescue teams of people flooding in from around the world, and how everybody is trying to keep positive and keeping their spirits high. The leadership is rock solid and a guy interviewed from the UK rescue team he had never seen an operation running so well co-ordinated.
I thought today, yes, this is what New Zealanders do best, help others so they can stop thinking about their own lives. If you can't do anything about your own life, help someone else. Which in this case is obviously turning out for the best.
I don't mean that people should be/are selfish, I just mean that kiwis in general try to be pretty staunch and pretend everything is fine "she'll be alright, mate', and it is with relief that they can rush to help other people. No wonder kiwis are loved all around the world!
Right now a National State of Emergency has been declared, and the national census has been cancelled until next year.
People are working around the clock down down there, and it's emotional just watching the news coverage.
People don't have water, power or sewage. Heck, a lot of people don't even have houses anymore and sleep in shelters! The photos looks like a bomb site and could be from Iraq or any war torn country, not beautiful little Christchurch...
My heart go out to them...
It's so heartbreaking. Thoughts and prayers for all those affected by the quake.
ReplyDeleteYou're right - who needs wars when nature can turn the world upside down in a heartbeat?
Mine too... I am much relieved to discover that all my blogging friends in NZ are OK (you included) but my heart goes out to all those people and families who are not.
ReplyDeleteMy work building is in the middle of the red zone, haven't been back there since 22 Feb and no idea when they will let us back in to get things. I reckon it will be like being somewhere else by the time we get to see that part of toiwn again...
ReplyDeleteSaggy, so good to hear from you and that you are ok... So not only do you guys have to pick up the pieces of living through an earthquake, now you have to deal with no workplace and everything else. Not an easy task, hard to even fathom, really. Hang in there though!
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