http://sundaystills.wordpress.com/
Today, September 4 is the first anniversary of the Christchurch's first quake. It was not as powerful as the February 22nd, in that nobody died.
However the powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake smashed buildings, cracked roads and twisted rail lines around the New Zealand city of Christchurch. It also revealed that Christchurch sat on a new 11-foot wide fault line in the earth's surface which was ripped.
Last week end, I visited friends, and Jenny drove me out to the fringes where the public was allowed it go. It was somber.
Christchurch was a beautiful garden city. Very English and you may be forgiven if you thought you were in England. I first went there in 1978 when my brother Charles and Sis in law Karen took me there. We went punting in the Avon river. You can't do it any more.
Listen to Bruce Springsteen's song.
http://annsnowchin.blogspot.com/2011/08/thursday-theme-song-my-city-of-ruin.html
This post is for all the Canterbians and also to the 9/11 victims in USA. I am a bereaved mum, and I feel for all the mums whose arms are empty.
Addition:
The quake ruined some graves. The police tapes were to stop people from going to these graves. Yes, Ginny, you are right, the quake even prevented people from visiting their loved ones, and today being father's day, that would be more felt.
I went to the biggest cemetery in Christchurch, the Waimari cemetery.
Such anniversaries are very sobering, aren't they! You got fine photos here!!
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Lindas fotos.
As paisagens são maravilhosas, mas a história muito triste.
Beijinhos.
Brasil.
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I like the three different vistas of the mountains. What is the significance of the graveyard with the tape around it? Repairs from the earthquake? People cannot visit their loved ones graves?
ReplyDeletesad..i won't be able to see the beauty of Christchurch if i go there one day.
ReplyDeleteThe quake ruined some graves. The police tapes were to stop people from going to these graves. Yes, Ginny, you are right, the quake even prevented people from visiting their loved ones, and today being father's day, that would be more felt.
ReplyDeleteI went to the biggest cemetery in Christchurch, the Waimari cemetery.
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ReplyDeleteThanks for the update. My late brother Hsiung was there and he spent a good four years and his final years of his life there and I want to believe that he was happy there. It is so tragic that he had such a short life. We miss him.
ReplyDeleteHe died in his sleep in Sibu and was buried fairly near my father. So cemeteries always have a special meaning to me. I think it is hard for my mum to lose him as he was such a good son. Another bereaved mum.
Lindas fotos.
ReplyDeleteAs paisagens são maravilhosas, mas a história muito triste.
Beijinhos.
I translated Magia da Inês from Portuguese to English.
Beautiful photos.
The landscapes are wonderful, but very sad story.
I miss the snow, I also hope things are getting better for the folks in christchurch, that was a hard one..
ReplyDeleteIt certainly takes a long time to pick up the pieces and go on.
ReplyDeleteLove the mountain vistas.
A poignant post. The graveyard all taped off is so sad; even the dead could not rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteThe gardens and beauty of Chch was one of my highlights of visiting NZ many years ago.
ReplyDeleteoops, that was me above
ReplyDeletea bittersweet entry, nice photos ann
ReplyDeletethose hills with snow on look lovely
Oh, Ann, what beautiful countryside photos. Earthquakes are so shattering from the devastation they create ... we had a 5.7 last week here in Washington DC area. I can't imagine not being able to visit a loved ones gravesite.
ReplyDeleteI still see the empty boots ...
Have a beautiful day.
Hugs,
Marydon
Gorgeous shots and such anniversaries make us appreciate today's moments all the more.
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