Everything that I heard about Christchurch could not prepare me for what I actually saw.
Corina and I caught a flight to Christchurch at 6am on Friday morning, somehow I got stuck following Corina around all day to work meetings where I met an American from Virginia, who guess what? Fell in love with a kiwi (note to parents: not as uncommon as originally thought). I also might have fallen asleep for a minute in the lobby of some tech company. In the afternoon Corina had to do some filming near the red zone (the central business district of the city that is fenced off until the buildings are rebuilt). I was able to get a glimpse at what the city turned into since the Earthquake last year.
The city has a temporary container mall next to the red zone where shipping containers are used for stores.
After all the work stuff Corina took me out for a beer. I didn't hold any resentment towards her for keeping me hostage for most of the day.
Saturday we took a day trip to Akaroa. It's a small french-influenced town that is so beautiful and cute. We had planned to take a day walk, but the weather was so bad (it started snowing on the drive there) that we changed our minds. Instead we just walked around the town and took photos.
Only in New Zealand....
We made it back in time to Christchurch for the All Blacks v Ireland match. I felt very lucky to be a part of such a historical night for New Zealand - this was the first All Blacks game in Christchurch since the earthquake. There were a lot of games scheduled to be played in Christchurch during the Rugby World Cup, but they all had to be moved because of the damage to the arena.
We met some locals (not pictured below) who took us to a few Irish bars, where we met half the people in the bar, made friends, spoke in Spanish and almost got set up by a mom.
The next thing we knew we are on a bus heading towards the arena with Kiwis singing to the Irish fans "Show us your economy." Highlight of the night. We also came across a long coat that looks like a sleeping bag. Snuggie but ten times warmer and with a zipper. If we ever live in Christchurch Corina will live in one.
The Haka, a traditional war cry and dance, where NZ explains that the other team is going to lose (fun fact: The All Blacks has never lost to Ireland. EVER.)
The Cathedral
The End.
