When the Cheshire emerges...

As I said in my previous NZ post, the Kiwis have the right sort of attitude for life. As such, they've definitely had to rely on it in times of hardship in the last year.

The visit to Christchurch was terribly saddening because of the destruction that still remains after the big earthquakes. I was shocked to see that there was just that much left to clean up still and had destroyed not only buildings but the routine of life - work, socialising...

But the lovely people of the city seem to be doing much better than anyone's giving them credit for. Laughing in the face of misfortune #1:

How could they be laughing at themselves like this? Another one was "It's considered normal to have a drop hole in the backyard." (I was told by my friend later that was because the sewerage was wrecked in a large part of the city). I look around incredulously and the assistant just said to me "It's good, isn't it?" I replied that I thought it was so great they can see the situation as such and she shrugged and said:

"You just have to laugh at it, what else are you going to do?"
"Some days are hard but you keep going."

Amazing spirit from these people all around. I really should have bought the book.

***

I had my own slight New Zealand misfortune in the idyllic Bay of Islands as I was about to head to the beach. My tiny orange padlock (and I mean tiny) was stuffing up on me and decided to lock all my stuff in the hostel room locker after snapping the key clean in half. It was already late afternoon so I was on limited time for good sun. Bolt cutters were missing on site, and then the lovely Mexican receptionist went everywhere hunting for them. What he found were garden shears.

Laughing at misfortune #3

After being watched by my German and Dutch roommates not having much luck, I enlisted their help to pull the lock as I tried to crush the loop bit. Mr Mexican Man had to attend to customers... he came back a few minutes after we'd reduced the tiny lock to this.


Needless to say, I didn't get to the beach. That waited another day.

The New Zealand debate is over. I have decided. I can only justify staying in Christchurch for a day at the most, to see some stuff and pass through to the other part of the South Island (I really do plan to make it down there, just undecided on exactly where at this point).

They had ANOTHER ONE. I was worried here and then again soon after. But this one in the 'burbs is strike three. I can't bring myself to bypass it completely, but one day should be enough at this point in time.

Only five weeks to go! Excitement! I need to buy travel insurance...

Has anyone seen this shitty excuse for a travel article? First the Sydney Morning Herald were reporting on the outrage from New Zealanders... continuing on from the previous entry on my uncertainty of visiting Christchurch, I can kind of see their point.

Then it got ridiculous.

Perth and the western coast were a possible no-go. Because of shark attacks apparently. NEWSFLASH: THEY'RE EVERYWHERE. Especially if you don't swim between the flags like you're told. What a joke.

Then (of course, of course) there was Greece. Yes, they've had riots. Yes they're financially unstable. But why fuel the theory that Greece is only ever good for the islands??? Ok so there's a tiiiny bit of bias being of Greek heritage - BUT - this is something I have never really understood since first visiting.

The islands are pretty amazing. I've been to six. And will go back for more. But the mainland is different entirely and is interesting for it. Athens is a MUST for the Acropolis and surrounds, yet people don't give it the time of day or go there expecting a Paris and then become sorely disappointed. The history is what makes the country, and if you can ever get further north than Athens, or Patra on the Pelopponnese, the never-ending mountains as well as artefacts will entrance and surprise you. Plus Thessaloniki has a similar vibe to Melbourne in its chilled nightlife, a very cool place.

My point: she said to tread lightly in Athens and only go to the islands right? She's obviously never been there. If there's more taxi strikes or what not (which I don't see happening now their summer's over) where's the first place they hit? The ports. That's where you DON'T want to be. I went through it and considered myself lucky to have hit the mainland by then, except when it affected us in Corfu (Kerkyra). I'll post a video from that someday.

In short, the article is utter rubbish.

PS: SMH has pushed me towards Christchurch being on the itinerary through this story. And THIS photo...

That's a shopping mall. From shipping containers. That's just a bit cool. It looks like Lego that I want to play with.

Sorry for the delay everyone, my parents' visit meant I had to take a holiday break from my entries. Seeing as I worked for most of the period I had to take a break from something. But I'm back and re-energized for 2012!

My next overseas adventure is shortly directing me towards The Land of the Long White Cloud, and I've finally started researching. I'm becoming more and more excited as I try to decide what to cover over the fortnight I'm in New Zealand, and glad I'm spending four days in the Bay of Islands - it's going to be STUNNING! Plus I'll be with my tour buddies for that so it'll be even better - places like this look like they're best enjoyed with great company.

But as we all know New Zealand has some current rebuilding issues, physically and emotionally. This is thankfully only limited to one city, but Christchurch is a pretty unfortunate example. The news that they've had more aftershocks today is so sad to hear when they're trying so hard to rebuild from TWO earthquakes in a year. How does that happen? Why?

It leaves me with a tough choice to make as an outsider going in. I hate to be voicing this thought, but it came to me after reading today's news. Do I skip Christchurch? If I make this sound pretty heavy and you don't think that's justified, think about it. The city is rebuilding. AGAIN. If today hadn't happened maybe I'd think differently. But the fact that it has probably means it's better if I don't put myself at risk and miss it completely.

I really don't want to do that, but I have to put my safety first. Yes, anywhere else could also have natural disasters, but it's got me worried. And it would no doubt have the parents worried also. I hate to do that to the city and its people because it seems I'm forgetting they exist and they need the support. I'm in two minds.

Question time: Should I go? Give me a reason NOT to skip it and you might be the reason I do. But if you think I should give it a miss, tell me why and you could be just as influential. Seriously.