Goodbye Cathedral
I took the opportunity today to go and see the cathedral for the last time. CERA have opened a walkway into the Square for the next two weekends so people can see the cathedral again before it comes down. It's a sad and depressing sight now knowing that there is no will among our leaders (that is, CERA and the Anglican church who are the only ones with the ability) to save the building. Actually, despite the many many people streaming into the square to look, the place is dismal and cheerless -- last time I did this walk I didn't feel so ... out of sorts. On top of the cathedral there are several other buildings in the square either about to be pulled down or probably going to be. I took pictures of some of my favourites just because who knows what will happen to them and who knows if we'll be allowed in again before they are all gone.
My last chance to take a picture of any of my kids with the cathedral in the background. The boys didn't want to go, but Summer did want to go in and see it again so I took her.
Masses of people -- the walkway was just constantly packed with people and you could hardly move in the small space allocated in the square itself. Lots of people wanting to say goodbye -- there was much more interest this time than there was in December.
I love this building but its future is unclear - it will be very expensive to repair and insurance blah blah blah ... we know the drill. I hope it stays, but have a horrible feeling it is also on the chopping block.
Sign calling for transparency and more debate before the cathedral is pulled down. sadly I think this is wasted effort. The Anglican church is clearly set on its path and, in an interview last week, the bishop said she doesn't feel accountable to the public at all and she has made her decision. I won't revisit the rage listening to that interview generated in me because it was a very unpleasant place to be.
Colombo Street gets sadder by the day. This was, as I have said before, the part of the central city I knew best and to see it slowly hollowing out is just soul destroying. Contrast this picture, for example:
With this one I took of the same corner in November on the bus trip through the red zone:
It just looks more worn down, more dilapidated, unhappy somehow. The Grand Chancellor is disappearing in the background, and several of the buildings are being eaten away from behind. Even the posters on the round advertising stand are looking ragged now compared to the way they were. It's just starting to look really sad now.