It's amazing how uninformed I feel sometimes when I'm at Whitman, and the same feeling applies here. I didn't know about the earthquake in Christchurch until my Kiwi host Abby's friend came over and told us about it. Christchurch is about 4 hours away from Dunedin, and while there were small aftershocks felt in Dunedin, I didn't feel a thing. It's been all over the news, and rightly so. I'm not sure of the specifics, but there were at least 65 dead yesterday, and roughly 300 others reported to be trapped under rubble. It's crazy that something of this magnitude happened so close to me and caused so much destruction, but I can assure you that I am completely and totally fine and safe in Dunedin.
Yesterday there was a train ride for all international students which went through the Taieri Gorge. My flatmates and I walked to the train station and boarded at 1 with the other 300+ international students. The ride to Middlemarch, which was our destination for a barbecue, took about 2 hours, and was beautiful. The whole trip took about 6 hours, which was a little long, but relatively enjoyable nonetheless.
Classes start on Monday, and I'm excited to have some sort of a routine again!
Thank you sooooooo much for writing this latest post. I can't tell you how great it is to be in contact this week in particular.
ReplyDeleteHere is another one to think about - check out what has been going on in Libya this week and then know that Sheila and Maude are safe and sound in London, and today Paul left and went to Malta, then will go on to London I think...Whew! Hard to have family and friends in hot spots.
Love you lots,
Mom and Dad
I've been thinking of you and glad you were in Dunedin instead of Christchurch. Dave and Peggy Albertine's friends Sue and Peter have a son in university in Christchurch. He's fine, but I can't imagine dealing with the inconveniences of no water, power, sewer, etc...
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you won't see the Christchurch I saw way back when. It was one of my favorite places in NZ. We climbed up into the steeple tower of the church that collapsed. Beautiful cathedral, beautiful parks, lovely river, very English. I hope you're enjoying your time down under!
Linda