NZ 26 Days in Christchurch, NZ
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| The Distinction Hotel |
We
did find the perfect hotel for us. The Distinction
Hotel, smack
in the middle of town, near everything. A bit pricey but we felt jubilant to be
off the bike, to be done with the “Deluxe” Fred Rau Tour.
Life is good, so we
smiled all the time while we explored Christchurch.
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| The Hop-On, Hop-Off Trolley |
We were near the trolley stop, a good tourist system for Christchurch, a HoHo (hop
on/hop off) way of traveling and as you can see, even the trolley driver smiled
back.
I
like to be in cities because there is so much to see, so much to do.
Let
me give you a bit of information about Christchurch that is essential to know.
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| Much Damage Was Done |
The
city suffered a series of earthquakes between Sept. 2001 and Jan. 2012, with
the most destructive of them occurring at 12.51
PM on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011.
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| Museum Pictures of the Aftermath |
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| Improvisation Necessary With Disruption of the Sewage System |
185 people
were killed during that big quake and thousands of buildings across the city
collapsed or suffered severe damage. By late 2013, 1500 buildings in the city
had to be demolished, leading to an ongoing recovery and rebuilding project.
But
the city is like the phoenix;
Christchurch is rising from the ashes. While a lot has been rebuilt and reconstructed
since the quake, some of the rubble is still around, serving as a reminder that
nothing is permanent.
Not even life.
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| A Very Moving Tribute to the 185 Victims |
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| Part of the Memorial |
A memorial to this earthquake, of 185 white, empty chairs was created and on display
behind the new Cathedral, in memory of the people who perished during the
earthquake. It was a somber feeling to look at all those empty, different
chairs, even highchairs, and to contemplate what all the lives that had been
taken could have been.
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| Museum Photo of the Aftermath |
Christchurch
now has an earthquake museum to show
some of the aftershock pictures and the buildings that were destroyed. This
museum had an amazing display which gave me a deeper understanding why some
buildings collapsed but the neighboring building was unaffected.
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| The Road Was Destroyed |
I
like Christchurch, there is a vibe in the city that permeates your psyche,
without you being aware of it, and the city is working its magic to keep you in
town; to tangle you in.
It
could be that all the activity to rebuild; the hope for a better way of living
is driving the city forward now and is making new ideas so exiting.
Christchurch has a very positive outlook for the future, despite sitting on a
major fault line.
Immediately
after the earthquakes in 2011 there were many businesses that were damaged.
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| Ben & Jerry's Still Using a Shipping Container |
What to do?
The ingenuity of the people
in NZ is great. The ability to do things fast but also right, to do them
artfully, is visible all around. Shipping
containers were used and converted for many different uses. It’s like
people played with Lego’s in a big way after the quakes. Shops that were
damaged used a shipping container as a store. Windows were cut out of the
shipping container, doors were added and electric lights were strung…voila, the
store was back in operation with a totally new look. And it looked chic!
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| Christchurch Cathedral Held Together With Canvas Cords |
The
Cathedral, the main church of Christchurch was severely damaged. It still is
just hanging in there. Literally, the people used ropes to hold the rubble
together. It looks like the city wants to rebuild the old relic but I ask
myself why? There is a new Cathedral already in place!
So
what did Christchurch do with no church? Well, the folks of Christchurch built
a ‘temporary’ Cathedral made
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| Side of the Temporary Cathedral - Using Shipping Containers |
from? Yes, Shipping containers…and some
basic building material like concrete-filled paper tubes and see through
plastic roofing that lets the light in. The new Cathedral building is very
sturdy now. The way the new Church was built allows for a quick conversion of
space. Rooms can be added by using dividers in the large congregation hall as
needed. Nooks and private rooms can be put up in no time. The ‘new’ Cathedral
is very modern and contemporary, with the word ‘temporary’ built even into the
concept. It’s not stodgy, it’s hip. You can certainly pray here, too, you don’t
need the ‘old’ proud relic that was destroyed.
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| Entrance to the Temporary Cathedral |
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| Inside the Ceiling, the Cross, the Pulpit, and the Backs of the Chairs are Cardboard Tubes |
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| A Cardboard Cross |
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| Pulpit Made From Cardboard Tubes |
Public
transportation in Christchurch is a Green Scooter. One just scans the QR code with a cell phone and the bike is yours
to ride. The
bikes are everywhere, just take one you see not being used and off you go. You
scan with your phone app to get on; you scan with your phone app again when you
drop the scooter off; easy as can be. It sure saves a lot of gasoline,
frustrations finding parking, etc.
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| Green Scooters |
I don’t see why this system cannot be used
in any large city, worldwide. The controversy about ‘mis-management’ or the ‘dangers’
of using these scooters on NYC streets, for example, is ridiculous. I bet
behind all the hoopla of NOT using them are businesses that would get hurt,
like taxi or Uber drivers. Well, folks those scooters are progress, live with
it. Get that Lime scooter… whoopee. No, they are not dangerous, but one has to
be, at least mentally, young to ride them. And yes, riding courteously and
according to the traffic laws is a given. Common sense prevails.
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| Art on the Side of a Building |
Graffiti
is a big thing in Christchurch. With all the abandoned, decrepit, rubble
buildings throughout the city, artists have a gold mine. We saw many very good
examples of true art. How do you like this brick wall… great, right?
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| Glow-In-the-Dark Graffiti |
And
then there are even graffiti the town put up, those glow at night symbols shine
when car headlights sweep over them.
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| Painted Doors as Construction Barriers |
Construction
crews used old doors they found in
the ripped down buildings to use as barricades. True to form, Christchurch’s
artists painted them in all kinds of colors, and… it’s a nice art collection to
look at wherever you go.
Parking
lot dividers had art dots painted on them. They are not just concrete blocks.
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| Parking Lot Barriers |
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| Huge Spray Paint Cans |
There are huge spray cans near a playground,
full of graffiti art. Yes, those spray cans are artfully displayed and seem to
encourage the graffiti works. The whole of it, in summary, looks like an art
collection, it’s not trashy, but the art created by the community adds to the
color of the City.
Near
our Hotel was a kind of a flea market, each night the booths have to be moved
so the plaza can be cleaned but each morning the vendors put their stalls back
up. Christchurch is organized, is vibrant.
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| The Cone In Front of the Flea Market |
There
is a huge cone-shaped art statue near this flea market, don’t ask me what it
represents, but it’s a spot where one can meet. “Meet you at the cone”: I heard
someone shout. Everybody knows where it
is.
Some
things are a bit strange, but I looked at them, shook my head and moved on. How
do you like this windmill? The video below shows a strange contraption,
right? But intriguing to look at? I’m
not sure what it means or represents.
This
artsy ‘stuff’ helps to cover up the work that still has to be done, the
buildings that are still unsafe to use need something so people don’t see
eyesores, but see ‘art’ in a good way. I liked it.
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| A Long Line For Whatever They're Selling |
I
also liked the long lines for a food wagon! I wonder what they sell. I know its
food but what kind? The line sure was long… no; I did not stay in line. I went
to the museum… read next! But the food
stall shows, life goes on in Christchurch!
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| And That's the NZ Philosophy |
