It’s days like this when I realise just how far I am from home.
I woke up this morning to the news that Christchurch, New Zealand, had been struck by a 6.3 earthquake.
Although smaller than the 7.1 that hit last September, this quake has been much more devastating. It was shallower, closer to the surface of the earth, and instead of striking in the middle of the night, it hit at lunchtime when the CBD was clogged with tourists and office workers.
As I type 65 deaths have been reported. In a country where the population is just 4 million, that’s the equivalent of suffering 1000 fatalities here in the UK. Hundreds are still missing, so that toll is likely to rise as the rescue and clean-up operation continues.
I haven’t lived in New Zealand since I was 25, but was born in Christchurch. When I was 19 I moved back for a year, for my very first magazine job. My Dad and Stepmum, and several great friends still live there.
Thankfully they’re all safe and well. The phone connections have been sporadic, but I’ve managed to confirm everyone is OK via texts and Facebook posts. Still, it’s been really upsetting to see the footage of people injured and crying, and familiar buildings and locations reduced to rubble.
New Zealand runs smack dab along a fault line – in fact most of the country was pushed up from the sea bed by different earthquakes over the millenia. Our newer buildings are designed to be ‘earthquake proof’ with beds of rubber to absorb shocks, and gigantic rollers so that buildings can sway along with the tremors instead of tearing apart.
At school you’re taught to shelter under your desk if one strikes. At home it’s a doorframe, or a kitchen table. You laugh at the small shakes felt at night when they rock your bed up and down, then jiggle it from side to side. ‘Did you feel that one last night?’ is just a regular water cooler conversation.
You spend your entire life waiting – yet it still shocks you when a big one finally hits.
It makes me feel very helpless, half a world away. UK might be my home now, but a big part of my heart will always live in New Zealand.
But I know the people of Christchurch will bounce back. Kiwis are like Weebles – we wobble, but we don’t fall down.
Glad your family and friends are safe. I imagine I’d feel similarly helpless were a hurricane to strike Trinidad. It is a shock.
Circus Queen – It’s hard being so far from home, isn’t it?? I’m just thankful everyone is safe and sound. Not everyone has been so lucky 🙁
It’s a relief when your loved ones are safe but still very hard to be so far away in times of crisis – personal or national. I totally identify with you on this. Glad to hear that your family and friends are safe.
I am so pleased that your loved ones I OK. I was nervous this morning waiting to hear about my neice whi is pregnant, but thankfully she is OK
So hard to concentrate today. Just feel half there, and half here. Glad your loved ones are ok. I felt strange writing about it, but also couldn’t not write about it.
It’s awful being away from home when something so shocking happens. So glad to hear your friends and family are well. My hubby’s grandparents out there are ok too we hear. Scary stuff!
Midlife Single Mum: It’s been a really upsetting day – I’m sure there will be lots more tears as more news filters through. Thanks for you msg. x
The MadHouse: So glad your niece is OK. Was she in Chch city, or the surrounds? x
Vegemitevix: I know just what you mean – I just had to acknowledge it somehow, but didn’t want people to think I was using the sympathy vote in order to make a blog post. x
Babes About Town: I totally forgot about your hubby’s NZ rellies!! Glad to hear they’re safe and sound. x