Making Something Out Of Nothing

The things you find on
 the side of the road

Talking to the people you meet while travelling generally consists of the same dialogue. You talk about where you’ve been, where you’re from, how long you’re here for and sometimes you get tips on where to go or where to stay away from. Its these kinds of tips that people generally rely on when planning what to do next, after all word of mouth from fellow travelers normally gives you the best information.

Now almost everyone that I have met that has been to Christchurch has said to avoid it and not to bother staying there. The amount of times I’ve lost track of the amount of times people have told me Christchurch is a dive.

Christchurch used to be the second largest city in New Zealand. It was a city with lots of history and architecture that differed greatly from most other parts of New Zealand, the main attraction being the huge Cathedral in the middle of the main square.  

The impact of the earthquake

Unfortunately in 2010 an earthquake hit Christchurch killing 280 people and injuring many more. This earthquake (which was a grade 7 earthquake) destroyed homes and businesses. Still to this day they are working on rebuilding the entire city... a job that will surely take many more years. It is for this reason that people have been continually warning me against it. The entire city has closed off roads with construction happening everywhere. What used to be major landmarks have been destroyed. Because of all the construction and abandoned buildings all over it is easy to assume that there is nothing to see.

Rebuilding of the Cathedral

Despite being warned countless times against staying in Christchurch I was curious and wanted to see it for myself. I had one full day in Christchurch to explore.

In the morning I went for a run through the botanic gardens. I have never been more in awe, the gardens were beautiful and so well maintained... not to mention massive! Thank goodness I had chosen to run and not walk!

In the city, looking past the destruction you see the most amazing things. There are so many places that have been rebuilt but with a very unique and modern twist. A perfect example of this is the Restart shopping mall, a mall built entirely out of cargo ship containers!

Everywhere you look there is a reminder of the awful earthquake that turned so many lives completely upside down but there is also evidence of the ingenuity and creativity of these people that have made the most out of an awful situation. It was truly an amazing experience to be able to see this city that is so destroyed but at the same time is slowly being built up to something amazing!

A bar made only out of scavenged items from the earthquake