Entertainment is expensive in Wellington, a movie ticket is around 15 dollars and with popcorn and soda, that quickly doubles - so you have to make money last, or make sure that what you get in return is at least worth your time in terms of value.
Wellington, like many many other cities have these people who wander the streets and try to bum cigarettes off of you. And me being a business man, I can't help but wonder what I can do to monetize on this, and if not money, at least get some sort of value in return. So I have developed a plan that allows me to get something in return from these people. Usually, the results are mediocre, but from time to time, I get something worth writing about - today I hit the jackpot!
It's actually pretty simple, whenever a bum approaches me to get his fix, usually by saying something along the lines of: "Bro? Bro? BRO? Can I have a cigarette off of you?" at which point my face lights up and I reply: "Well, I've got a special offer just for you, limited time only! I will give you TWO cigarettes, one now, and one later, but in return, you have to tell me the story of your life, what do you say?" - "Ar... Are you serious?" - "Yes I am."
"Well... Fuck it bro let's do this shit! Come here, let's go sit... This is going to be a long one - I might have to charge you three cigarettes!
When I was seven, I don't remember shit before that man, sorry. When I was seven my parents moved to Australia, Melbourne eh, because... work. I went to school there but it was shit so I dropped out, started hanging out with friends. My parents, never really saw them, working and shit, so I hung out with these people who did some tagging and stuff. It was sweet, hung out, started smoking at eight-nine. Then on weekends drinking, then every drinking, more smoking. When ten-eleven perhaps more than that, weed. Twelve snorting lines after I hung out with this gang, they did graffiti."
- All while telling me this stuff, the guy was simply staring into the rain, correcting his cap from time to time. He seemed to be around 25 years old. A gust of wind brought his scent to my nose - this guy had definitely not showered for a day or two.
"Tagging, weed, snorting. It was pretty bad eh? The gang started stealing cars - not to sell or anything, just to drive around and have a bit of fun, skids and shit. I was fourteen then I think. Years start blowing by man, it got really serious, pills down the drain, not just on weekends, get me through the days and stuff. Went to juvenile when I was thirteen the first time maybe. I go in and out for like, at least five times. Had some fun with that. The gang stuff got really serious, dealing with another gang of niggers and shit. Fifteen, got into fights all the time, we won, niggers couldn't do shit.
So I turn 16 I think, my mom decides it's time for something to happen. She threatened me a long time, I told the gang and shit but they didn't believe it. One day my mom drives me to the airport, she booked a ticket to Wellington. So to the airport, Christchurch and then in Wellington. I call up my mates at home and be all like: "You know how my mom said she'd fly me to New Zealand? I'm in New Zealand now!" They tell me to come back but fuck them. I get this job at a friend of family, do some gardening for some time. Get a car, do some skids, because fuck it, it's my own damn car now, I can do what I want. Nice BMW too, real good. I met a girl too, Airini, maori, freaking great girl. Some time later my employer falls or some shit, breaks his knee - out of business no job. Wait I have picture, see this..."
- He pulls out his phone, an older Nokia, powers it on and shows me the background photo of his girl and two grownup dogs.
"She's great man. Yeah and these two babies. So I'm out of a job right because this cunt can't fucking stand on his legs. I start hanging out at home, get bored, go to town, meet some people, do some shit. Pretty much the same as before, start tagging, hanging out with wrong people. Steal cars, drugs and all that shit again. Stole a bunch of cars, not just to drive anymore, we took the tires or whatever we needed that week, then burned it or dumped it somewhere. Doings skids and shit my car breaks down, goes to the trash, no car anymore. Bummer.
So one night we out getting a car, drive around, fucking police catches up, get arrested, detained for a month - couldn't go anywhere. As soon as it's over I'm out doing shit again, get caught and detention for three months before they put me on 24 hour curfew. I get one of those fucking ankle things, you know so I can't go anywhere outside the house. Airini offers I can move in with her parents in Palmy. Fuck no, but I couldn't go anywhere else, so we do that shit. Got to know her family really well, like, all of them, fucking horrible. I get a job, picking fruit, means that I can go out between like 9 and 5 every day which was really good. Airini and me save up some money, get our own place close to their parents because I couldn't stand that shit anymore. We get some puppies too, the dogs I show you, amazing, they were little then.
So a week after we move in, this bunch of niggers moves in next door. Doing drugs and shit, drinking all night on the porch every day, just yelling and screaming. They did some tagging and shit too just when I was doing better away from it all. I start hanging out with them, then I have a breach, meaning I was out when I was not supposed to so I lose my job and have to stay home for three months. So I just sit at home and smoke weed all day, go to the niggers next door and smoke with them, play games all day. Anyway, three months later I can go back to work.
First day back at work, I come home and my house has been robbed, they took fucking everything; laptop, big ass plasma TV, Xbox, everything. I go knock the niggers door and tell the fuckheads to give me my shit back, they don't do anything. Fucking retards. So the next few months get really weird man, every night they're out there drinking and yelling and shit at me. They don't give a shit about Airini, because she's maori too, but I'm white. They do this every night man, I go out there and tell them to fuck off, they give me shit, but I'm not going to let them get me. So for a month or so, whenever I see their tags anywhere I spray it over and write my own next to it. I know they're getting pissed, talk about it all the time.
Then one day I call my mates in Wellington, next day I grab a fucking car and drive there, with no license, police took it in the car chase. So I drive down, pick up my mates and drive back before five. That night they didn't come out, but the next one, they're there.
I go out and tell them to fuck off, their tags are no good anymore, getting sprayed over. Niggers ask me if I'm the one who's been doing it; "Fuck yeah what you gonna do bitches?!" They walk over and start acting all cocky and then my mates show up behind me, bigger than me. I grab the first one and headbutts him in the face, he falls down, silent. The kiddies then start walking back as we walk towards them, I knee the next one in the ribs and he falls on the ground as well, we chase them over to theirs, my mate hands me a hammer and then the police show up because of the noise so the niggers start running because they're not 18 yet, underage drinking. There's like six of them and I follow them, they keep running and split up. I get two of them, and I got them fucking good.
The problems stop, they don't drink or make any noise anymore, and when they see me they run, that was pretty good. We moved back to Airini's parents though, the place was shit. I lost my job after that. Maybe two weeks later we decide to move to Wellington, more job opportunities. I met the people I knew in Welly again, and they wanted me to go out and shit, but I didn't, just stole a few cars and stuff again but nothing big, just some weed. Then I got a job down on the wharf, unloading containers, but I lost that a month ago. I want to get back into gardening but it's just hard to find anything. I had a job last monday, but that was just one day. We live out in Miramar now, Airini and me, and the dogs. It's good shit, away from all the problems. So I go here, try to find work."
I offer him his last cigarette and thank him for the story, offer him my lighter but he says he's got one himself. Then he stands up, turn around and walk away - as it has happened before.
Do note though, I have a deal with myself: I don't tell them my name, and they don't tell me theirs - I don't want to know. Their stories is all I want, nothing more. Names in the above text have been altered, jobs may be different, places probably are too - but the story is true. I hope you enjoyed as much as I did.
EDIT: Forgot to add, he is only 19. But living a life like that does take its toll on your body.
Friday, September 20, 2013
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Wherever the wind blows!
Wellington being windy is no news, but recently it has picked up and carried me in a different direction than what I expected, or was prepared for when I left Denmark a little more than a month ago.
The company I was supposed to intern for, turned out to not really have enough time for me, which lead to me being quite bored with nothing to do on a daily basis. So what is one to do? Sit around and wait? Not me.
I overheard a conversation next door and when a topic I'm knowledgeable about came up I decided that perhaps it was time to approach them, and so I did. We talked and knowing both Michael and David from my stay at the office last year we casually talked about my current situation, to which there seemed to be a solution: "Come work for us!"
After some emailing with school, a haircut, and a VISA-application, I have moved my internship to Hunter Safety Lab, who are manufacturing the IRIS, which is a truly amazing product, if you don't want to get shot (by a hunter). Check it out, it's really cool!
So that's what's been going on lately, hopefully soon I'll have more updates. I can't share much more as of right now, but things are great, and I'm looking forward to see where the wind takes me next!
The company I was supposed to intern for, turned out to not really have enough time for me, which lead to me being quite bored with nothing to do on a daily basis. So what is one to do? Sit around and wait? Not me.
I overheard a conversation next door and when a topic I'm knowledgeable about came up I decided that perhaps it was time to approach them, and so I did. We talked and knowing both Michael and David from my stay at the office last year we casually talked about my current situation, to which there seemed to be a solution: "Come work for us!"
After some emailing with school, a haircut, and a VISA-application, I have moved my internship to Hunter Safety Lab, who are manufacturing the IRIS, which is a truly amazing product, if you don't want to get shot (by a hunter). Check it out, it's really cool!
So that's what's been going on lately, hopefully soon I'll have more updates. I can't share much more as of right now, but things are great, and I'm looking forward to see where the wind takes me next!
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Eszter arrives!
This Friday was a day long awaited, as it was the day that Eszter arrived! Which means I now have someone to talk with at the office, about other stuff than just business. Potentially someone to go party with as well, as soon as she's over her Jetlag :p
First up, I went to the Airport to pick her up with Barrie, her host. We all went to their place for dinner, before splitting up so that she could get some much desired sleep after a long journey. Like myself, Eszter flew Emirates, and absolutely loved it, it's a pretty amazing travel provider I'd say.
Saturday we met up again, and got dropped off at the beginning of the waterfront, from where Eszter and I walked to Te Papa, where we would meet up with Joe to watch a Chilean movie about the war that never was between Chile and Argentina. It was really good, and definitely worth watching, Mi mejor enemigo is the title ( http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0410316/ ).
Eszter wanted to go home and was tired, so that we did, and watched the game between the All Blacks (NZ Rugby team) and the Wallabies (Australians). It was a great game, actually quite fun to watch, and All Blacks won, so later when I went back to town, there was a pretty good feel everywhere on the streets. Chips was busy for a while, and so before meeting up with him, I took some pictures of street artists in Wellington, which can be seen here: http://imgur.com/a/HW362#0
Sunday was dedicated to spending time at Chips', to once again see Mike, another Magic Judge I got to know last I was here. It was nice catching up again.
All in all, a pretty good weekend.
First up, I went to the Airport to pick her up with Barrie, her host. We all went to their place for dinner, before splitting up so that she could get some much desired sleep after a long journey. Like myself, Eszter flew Emirates, and absolutely loved it, it's a pretty amazing travel provider I'd say.
Saturday we met up again, and got dropped off at the beginning of the waterfront, from where Eszter and I walked to Te Papa, where we would meet up with Joe to watch a Chilean movie about the war that never was between Chile and Argentina. It was really good, and definitely worth watching, Mi mejor enemigo is the title ( http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0410316/ ).
Eszter wanted to go home and was tired, so that we did, and watched the game between the All Blacks (NZ Rugby team) and the Wallabies (Australians). It was a great game, actually quite fun to watch, and All Blacks won, so later when I went back to town, there was a pretty good feel everywhere on the streets. Chips was busy for a while, and so before meeting up with him, I took some pictures of street artists in Wellington, which can be seen here: http://imgur.com/a/HW362#0
Sunday was dedicated to spending time at Chips', to once again see Mike, another Magic Judge I got to know last I was here. It was nice catching up again.
All in all, a pretty good weekend.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Magic!
As in the cardgame I play, and pretty well if I may add that. More about that in a moment.
A few days has passed since my last update, so here goes: I started my internship with Yonix, and I've got my project more or less figured out.
Wellington is to my delight very much the same as last year, with awesome food at the Foodcourt where I meet with Chips just about 3 out of 5 days a week - and we're meeting again tomorrow to plan a trip to Brisbane, Australia - to play Magic.
So far things have been going well, 2nd place in the two tournaments I've participated in, a $10 investment total worth winnings worth $50 - not bad.
I've also won the earthquake lottery, in that I've actually experienced one this time here. Last year they happened over night while I was sleeping, and didn't wake me up, but this time I was wide awake and got to see things fall off shelves and people run around, that was fun.
All in all, things are quietly progressing as expected and for a study trip, this is pretty awesome!
Monday, August 12, 2013
Meeting the boss!
Monday, 7 days has passed since I left my bed in the living room upstairs at my parent's place, and here we go, time to face the real world again, after some relaxation. Dare I say, much needed relaxation! When I went to New Zealand in 2012, there were no signs whatsoever of jetlag once I got here, I was fresh and ready to go from day one. This time around however, I am having some issues, I usually wake up around 4:30-5:00 and get sleepy around 16:00. Monday was a little better, woke up 4:45 this time, so things are moving the right way, just not as fast as I want it to...
I headed out for lunch with Jody Bullen, the CEO of Yonix, the company I will be interning for. Yonix is... well that's what I have to find out too, but here's their website: http://yonix.com/
Jody and his team have created an online document collaboration platform for Business Analysts, it's a bit like Google Docs, except it does MUCH MORE, things that if you are a BA is super awesome to have. I think that for the sake of everyone's sanity I'll stop here.
The meeting with Jody was awesome, we get along very well, as expected, and we outlined what I will be doing these next 3 months under his wing, trying to make things better, learn something and write a good report in the end. I can't share many details unfortunately, confidentiality and stuff, but as a business student this is a very interesting company to work for.
I headed out for lunch with Jody Bullen, the CEO of Yonix, the company I will be interning for. Yonix is... well that's what I have to find out too, but here's their website: http://yonix.com/
Jody and his team have created an online document collaboration platform for Business Analysts, it's a bit like Google Docs, except it does MUCH MORE, things that if you are a BA is super awesome to have. I think that for the sake of everyone's sanity I'll stop here.
The meeting with Jody was awesome, we get along very well, as expected, and we outlined what I will be doing these next 3 months under his wing, trying to make things better, learn something and write a good report in the end. I can't share many details unfortunately, confidentiality and stuff, but as a business student this is a very interesting company to work for.
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Back to New Zealand
Welcome back everybody! I am returning to New Zealand for a few days (until christmas), and naturally I will once again start blogging, for friends and family abroad!
Day 0 (Monday, 5/8-2013):
Today Sune, John and I went to Odense, sort of to say goodbye and apparently also play magic because they had a draft going, which took longer than expected and therefore included in my blog as time says 01:15, meaning it actually is now...
Day 1!:
And what a terrible day it is, weather-wise. Total I think had perhaps 3 hours of sleep, but that's okay! It means I can easily sleep on the plane. Eventually my last bits and bobs are packed and Laura drives me to the train, and then suddenly I am at CPH Airport. Before getting off the train, I overheard a conversation between a guy I later found out was called Yusuf and one og DSB's On Time Team members, about him flying at the same time as me, where he was worried if he would make it. At the airport I quickly found out where I was supposed to go, but noticed Yusuf looking confused, so I told him to just come with me. We walked and talked, got through check-in, security etc. and eventually ended up at the gate and could board.
One thing I had noticed was that Yusuf carried only one piece of luggage, and it weighed nothing. The explanation being that he had brought only bags, and was planning on buying all his clothes in Kuwait and then bring it home - smart... Now, I'm going to New Zealand though, and I don't really think that plan will work out that well, as things aren't really cheaper there.
Cool thing though, the plane was so empty (about 30-35% full), it was easy to find some nice and comfortable seats in the exit-row with plenty of legspace for me... Funny as in earlier today I read about Tall People Club in DSB's Ud og Se magazine - probably a club I should actually join :p
Eventually we landed in Dubai airport and here I parted with Yusuf who was continuing to Kuwait.
Day 2:
Not the most exciting, basically just waiting for 10 hours at the airport before moving on again. Dubai Airport is not bad though, plenty of shops always open and everything is nice and clean except for when there are chinese people around. In the 15 minutes I spent at Burger King trying to survive the night with a healthy snack, two different families managed to drop a soda and leave it and it's contents on the floor, as well as a pack of fries... Like a baws!
But again, except for that, it's a stunningly beautiful airport, definitely worth a visit (and I didn't even leave the transfer area!). The most amazing thing however, was probably that this airport caters to the needs of absolutely everybody, including pedophiles... Why else would they have signs showing where the unaccompanied minors are located? ( http://i.imgur.com/Np8viYv.jpg )
Time to board the airplane came along nicely (eventually), and boy was it nice to hear someone speak english again, and then with a kiwi-accent, now I am actually getting excited!
Day 3:
12 hours later, and yes they passed quickly in an A380, short stop in Sydney before continuing to Auckland, which actually concludes these travels, technically, as I have yet to but a ticket for Wellington. But that's a problem I'll manage in Auckland, which I eventually ended up in. Getting a ticket was quite easy, and an hour later I was on the plane, and another hour and I was in Wellington - almost there!
I called up my mate Chips whom I had discussed pickup with earlier, and about 30 minutes he showed up with Gene hanging out the window and holla at me (interj. 1. an exclamation of greeting. 2. an exclamtion used to show excitement or enthusiasm. verb. 1. to call. 2. to summon).
We went to Gene's place to play some Magic (that card game, you'll hear lots more about it over the next 4 months) with 2 others. I ended up sleeping at Gene's place, since I could not get in contact with Carol, my host.
Day 4:
I eventually left Gene's place to go have lunch with Chips at a mexican place in the food court ( http://v.gd/foodonwillis - that's the entrance, there's probably 20 different food choices downstairs incl. mexican, turkish, indian and many more ). Chips lives with 2 other guys, one who works there and will shortly be the manager of the place, and they make delicious food!
After this, Chips went back to work and I hurried to Vodafone to get my phone working - 140,- DKK for 250MB of data... I get unlimited in Denmark for just 79,- DKK. Oh well, I knew those were the conditions from last I was here.
I got it working and then waltzed up to greet Rebecca at Creative HQ on Level 4, 50 Manners Street, where I interned last year and I am going to again this time around. Rebecca was the only one in this day that I remembered from last. Tui, who I also know, was there, but in a meeting. I chatted with Rebecca for a few minutes and then went up on 108 The Terrace to say hi Nathan, my boss last year, to catch up with him.
I had a nice talk with Nathan who invited me to stay for a while until he was done working and then I had a beer with him and everybody at the office. Very nice afternoon of catching up on what has been going on since I left.
I got a hold of Carol, with whom I agreed to get picked up the day after at 13:00.
Eventually it was time to depart, I went back to Chips' place, stayed for about 15 minutes before we went to eat with some of his friends who had just been at Beervana ( http://www.beervana.co.nz/ ) and were indeed very intoxicated (as one would expect). From here it was back to Chips', play some cards and eventually go to bed.
Day 5:
Pretty lazy day all in all. Woke up around 8:30, got my first shower since I left home!, went to get brunch with Chips, then back, play cards and wait for Carol to pick me up.
Carol came by, and she is a wonderful lady who lives far far up the hill in Northland, we almost can't get any higher (pictures will come later, the weather is bad and there's really not much to show right now http://i.imgur.com/BS563df.jpg ). The house has a very interesting architecture, which I will write more about later as well (you'll see). We got Cleo, the cat, the most playful and fluffy thing ever, the loveliest creature who knows nothing better than to spend all day in front of the fire on her back ( http://i.imgur.com/wfbZuoU.jpg ), so that's what we did on the 6th day, Sunday, me and her, watching Comedy Central...
All in all, everything's well! I didn't quite make it to the 7th day before relaxing, but, we can't all be as awesome as God!
Day 0 (Monday, 5/8-2013):
Today Sune, John and I went to Odense, sort of to say goodbye and apparently also play magic because they had a draft going, which took longer than expected and therefore included in my blog as time says 01:15, meaning it actually is now...
And what a terrible day it is, weather-wise. Total I think had perhaps 3 hours of sleep, but that's okay! It means I can easily sleep on the plane. Eventually my last bits and bobs are packed and Laura drives me to the train, and then suddenly I am at CPH Airport. Before getting off the train, I overheard a conversation between a guy I later found out was called Yusuf and one og DSB's On Time Team members, about him flying at the same time as me, where he was worried if he would make it. At the airport I quickly found out where I was supposed to go, but noticed Yusuf looking confused, so I told him to just come with me. We walked and talked, got through check-in, security etc. and eventually ended up at the gate and could board.
One thing I had noticed was that Yusuf carried only one piece of luggage, and it weighed nothing. The explanation being that he had brought only bags, and was planning on buying all his clothes in Kuwait and then bring it home - smart... Now, I'm going to New Zealand though, and I don't really think that plan will work out that well, as things aren't really cheaper there.
Cool thing though, the plane was so empty (about 30-35% full), it was easy to find some nice and comfortable seats in the exit-row with plenty of legspace for me... Funny as in earlier today I read about Tall People Club in DSB's Ud og Se magazine - probably a club I should actually join :p
Eventually we landed in Dubai airport and here I parted with Yusuf who was continuing to Kuwait.
Day 2:
Not the most exciting, basically just waiting for 10 hours at the airport before moving on again. Dubai Airport is not bad though, plenty of shops always open and everything is nice and clean except for when there are chinese people around. In the 15 minutes I spent at Burger King trying to survive the night with a healthy snack, two different families managed to drop a soda and leave it and it's contents on the floor, as well as a pack of fries... Like a baws!
But again, except for that, it's a stunningly beautiful airport, definitely worth a visit (and I didn't even leave the transfer area!). The most amazing thing however, was probably that this airport caters to the needs of absolutely everybody, including pedophiles... Why else would they have signs showing where the unaccompanied minors are located? ( http://i.imgur.com/Np8viYv.jpg )
Time to board the airplane came along nicely (eventually), and boy was it nice to hear someone speak english again, and then with a kiwi-accent, now I am actually getting excited!
Day 3:
12 hours later, and yes they passed quickly in an A380, short stop in Sydney before continuing to Auckland, which actually concludes these travels, technically, as I have yet to but a ticket for Wellington. But that's a problem I'll manage in Auckland, which I eventually ended up in. Getting a ticket was quite easy, and an hour later I was on the plane, and another hour and I was in Wellington - almost there!
I called up my mate Chips whom I had discussed pickup with earlier, and about 30 minutes he showed up with Gene hanging out the window and holla at me (interj. 1. an exclamation of greeting. 2. an exclamtion used to show excitement or enthusiasm. verb. 1. to call. 2. to summon).
We went to Gene's place to play some Magic (that card game, you'll hear lots more about it over the next 4 months) with 2 others. I ended up sleeping at Gene's place, since I could not get in contact with Carol, my host.
Day 4:
I eventually left Gene's place to go have lunch with Chips at a mexican place in the food court ( http://v.gd/foodonwillis - that's the entrance, there's probably 20 different food choices downstairs incl. mexican, turkish, indian and many more ). Chips lives with 2 other guys, one who works there and will shortly be the manager of the place, and they make delicious food!
After this, Chips went back to work and I hurried to Vodafone to get my phone working - 140,- DKK for 250MB of data... I get unlimited in Denmark for just 79,- DKK. Oh well, I knew those were the conditions from last I was here.
I got it working and then waltzed up to greet Rebecca at Creative HQ on Level 4, 50 Manners Street, where I interned last year and I am going to again this time around. Rebecca was the only one in this day that I remembered from last. Tui, who I also know, was there, but in a meeting. I chatted with Rebecca for a few minutes and then went up on 108 The Terrace to say hi Nathan, my boss last year, to catch up with him.
I had a nice talk with Nathan who invited me to stay for a while until he was done working and then I had a beer with him and everybody at the office. Very nice afternoon of catching up on what has been going on since I left.
I got a hold of Carol, with whom I agreed to get picked up the day after at 13:00.
Eventually it was time to depart, I went back to Chips' place, stayed for about 15 minutes before we went to eat with some of his friends who had just been at Beervana ( http://www.beervana.co.nz/ ) and were indeed very intoxicated (as one would expect). From here it was back to Chips', play some cards and eventually go to bed.
Day 5:
Pretty lazy day all in all. Woke up around 8:30, got my first shower since I left home!, went to get brunch with Chips, then back, play cards and wait for Carol to pick me up.
Carol came by, and she is a wonderful lady who lives far far up the hill in Northland, we almost can't get any higher (pictures will come later, the weather is bad and there's really not much to show right now http://i.imgur.com/BS563df.jpg ). The house has a very interesting architecture, which I will write more about later as well (you'll see). We got Cleo, the cat, the most playful and fluffy thing ever, the loveliest creature who knows nothing better than to spend all day in front of the fire on her back ( http://i.imgur.com/wfbZuoU.jpg ), so that's what we did on the 6th day, Sunday, me and her, watching Comedy Central...
All in all, everything's well! I didn't quite make it to the 7th day before relaxing, but, we can't all be as awesome as God!
Friday, May 4, 2012
Christchurch
This past tuesday, Gigi and I went on our way to leave Wellington to go down to Hayley's place for some serious thesis writing. We have all been really busy lately since our deadline is due next week, so we haven't had much time to travel around and see the area yet, but Gigi and I however did have a few hours in Christchurch before we were on our way to Dunedin, since our flight wasn't direct.
So, we decided to go to town after landing in Christchurch and see what the earthquakes early last year had done to this once so big and beautiful city.
I would have loved to say a lot of nice things about this town, but truth is, it's a giant dump. The centre of the city is completely demolished with everything falling apart, construction work going on everywhere, but no people. It mostly reminded me of parts of Poland and eastern Germany with buildings left unattended since WW2 where they were bombed to smithereens.
Amidst all the tragic ruins, I did however find reason for laughter! I'm telling you, someone's got their priorities wrong in Christchurch, apparently putting together an emergency shopping centre was a lot more important than, let's just say, restoring the many year old historical church in the centre of the city?
For more pictures, flick through my gallery here: http://imgur.com/a/dcyC3
So, we decided to go to town after landing in Christchurch and see what the earthquakes early last year had done to this once so big and beautiful city.
I would have loved to say a lot of nice things about this town, but truth is, it's a giant dump. The centre of the city is completely demolished with everything falling apart, construction work going on everywhere, but no people. It mostly reminded me of parts of Poland and eastern Germany with buildings left unattended since WW2 where they were bombed to smithereens.
Amidst all the tragic ruins, I did however find reason for laughter! I'm telling you, someone's got their priorities wrong in Christchurch, apparently putting together an emergency shopping centre was a lot more important than, let's just say, restoring the many year old historical church in the centre of the city?
For more pictures, flick through my gallery here: http://imgur.com/a/dcyC3
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