An Email From Dad
Some of you know that my Dad, stepmom, sister and brother were visiting Christchurch, NZ when the earthquake hit. He was in touch right away to tell me they were ok, but this was the first real update we've received. Have I mentioned how awesome my dad is?
...We are now fine but frankly rather shaken by the whole thing. We were in the midst of the earthquake in central Christchurch near the Cathedral, but fortunately when it struck we were in quite a safe location, walking through a park. No way to stand up during it or the aftershock. Although there was massive destruction of the old buildings where we were, we really did not appreciate the severity of the quake until the following day when we saw the TV.
We made our way to a shelter where we spent some of the night with hundreds, and we were then offered a flight out of Christchurch early on Wednesday. Unfortunately we missed our cruise on the Doubtful Sound but had the experience of an evacuation on an air force Hercules airplane. And we even made the TV news when we arrived in Wellington. And (my aunt) was just in touch to say that she had seen the clip on their news.
Our luggage is all still in Christchurch, and the hotel will be shipping it to us once they are able to get back into the hotel but I understand that may still be a few days at least. And our car rental is in the valet parking, but the hotel will let Avis know when they can pick it up.
We spent the past day north of Auckland at a beach getting from R&R, and are now back in Auckland with the friends we are staying with. We are now looking forward to returning home on Sunday, and I can fill you in more. Quite an ordeal. And we consider ourselves to be extraordinarily fortunate. I suspect the death toll will reach at least 200 by the time the search is completed, and the injuries sound quite horrific!
But apart from the earthquake, we have had a wonderful holiday!
Love from us all,
Dad
...We are now fine but frankly rather shaken by the whole thing. We were in the midst of the earthquake in central Christchurch near the Cathedral, but fortunately when it struck we were in quite a safe location, walking through a park. No way to stand up during it or the aftershock. Although there was massive destruction of the old buildings where we were, we really did not appreciate the severity of the quake until the following day when we saw the TV.
We made our way to a shelter where we spent some of the night with hundreds, and we were then offered a flight out of Christchurch early on Wednesday. Unfortunately we missed our cruise on the Doubtful Sound but had the experience of an evacuation on an air force Hercules airplane. And we even made the TV news when we arrived in Wellington. And (my aunt) was just in touch to say that she had seen the clip on their news.
Our luggage is all still in Christchurch, and the hotel will be shipping it to us once they are able to get back into the hotel but I understand that may still be a few days at least. And our car rental is in the valet parking, but the hotel will let Avis know when they can pick it up.
We spent the past day north of Auckland at a beach getting from R&R, and are now back in Auckland with the friends we are staying with. We are now looking forward to returning home on Sunday, and I can fill you in more. Quite an ordeal. And we consider ourselves to be extraordinarily fortunate. I suspect the death toll will reach at least 200 by the time the search is completed, and the injuries sound quite horrific!
But apart from the earthquake, we have had a wonderful holiday!
Love from us all,
Dad