To Japan With Love

Friday night, watching TV when it is reported that a quake has hit Japan. Seeing the footage of the quake hitting the NHK building brings back bitter memories.
NZ's urban search and rescue teams are off this morning to Japan to help their brothers in arms- after all, the Japanese teams helped us in our time of need. It is hard not to ignore the connection between Japan and Christchurch- the Asashi TV station was camped out near the ruined Knox Church. We had the Japanese USAR team looking for our people.

It is painful to see the suffering in Japan, because here in Christchurch we know what that is like, and yet we don't truly know because in comparison we were relatively lucky. It breaks my heart to think about all the lost and displaced Japanese people, because they have long been very welcome visitors to our city. Many come here to have a Western wedding in the Botanical Gardens, or have their photo taken in front of the now ruined Christchurch Cathedral.

But like us they will receive all the help and support that they need, and they will rebuild. We can't forget them.

It Was SUPPOSED To Be A Post-Quake World

Monday afternoon. First academic day of the first term at University, so the campus is packed with students. Workers are having lunch inside, or buying lunch. The central city is buzzing with tourists.

And then it struck.

6.3, but it felt much much bigger than the 7.1 we had in September 2010. And it did more damage. It was shallower, there were more people around to affect than the September quake. I was in the bedroom taking a nap when it hit. It threw me across the bed and I couldn't get to the door to shelter as everything started flying around. Downstairs was much worse. My 40 litre fishtank had smashed on the ground, and between the broken glass and the water everywhere I couldn't reach it to try and rescue my goldfish. I couldn't reach the phone as it was near the remnants of the tank and was off the hook. I immediately got to my laptop and reached out to let everyone know that I was safe.

Believe it or not, we managed to find the fish, STILL ALIVE two hours later. My mum did CPR on one of the fish who seemed to breathe her last gasp, but she came back to life. They are both in a smaller tank now, but Ash who had CPR is not looking so good. But she's still alive. They both are. Both of my cats have been traumatized too, and a sweet but frightened Burmese cat hid in our garden. We tried to find his owners, but to no avail and hopefully he will have returned home.

My mum, who raced over as soon as she could, is stranded here. I am in the Central City, and there is a cordon around the four avenues, and a curfew in place. So she can't get out to go to her home, and nobody can get in. She's been doing baking to keep herself busy, which my partner appreciates since he doesn't ever get home baking from me! She went into delayed shock last night and I had to give her some St John's Wort.

Yesterday I was hopeful, and very grateful. Today the shock has hit, as well as the realization that nothing will be the same ever again. I've been needing to sleep so much, I can barely keep my eyes open. I think it's my body's way of dealing with the trauma.

71 people confirmed dead as I write this. These are OUR people, our family by extension. We're a tough lot but this is putting us all to the test. And in this time we need to be compassionate to one another as we're all in the same boat.