We flew out of Nelson to Christ Church (CHCH). We were surprised that there was no security or metal detectors or X-rays. They just gave us a boarding pass, and we got on the plane. It was much like getting on a bus.
When I think of the city of Christchurch, I think of devastating earthquakes. So, of course, we go to the exhibit called Quake City.
12:51 is the time of the earthquake and everyone has a story of where they were at that time.
There was a video program that told many of their fascinating yet tragic stories. One could sense the PTSD that lingers in their hearts and minds. Beware: Trigger alert.
- The young lady who was ironically making out her will when the earthquake hit and a cement block landed on her hand. She didn’t know that her fingers were gone until she was rescued. They were able to reattach them.
- The rescue worker who teared up as he recalled the frustration that he felt when the structural engineer had to approve them to proceed each time.
- The man who saw the collapsed building on television where his wife worked. They eventually were able to identify her by dental records.
- The woman trying to drive into the city in search of her daughter and finally running through a park when she could drive no further.
- The man who was watching his child in the swimming pool and experienced a tidal wave that threw the children around. He was able to grab a few to keep them from hitting the ceiling.
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