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Went for a wander around Christchurch today. Not sure what to expect as a friend had told me it was a large building site. He was right, everywhere you went there was derelict buildings some still in the same state they were left in after the 2011 earthquake, others already like Phoenix raising from the ashes, all shiny and new.
Our first stop was at the cathedral which lost its steeple. As you can see from the picture it is still a very sad sight. Next we found the 'cardboard cathedral '. This is a masterpiece. With lots of large cardboard tubes making up the inside walls. The side altar was a container lined with tubes. Whilst there we met the vicar/priest or whatever he was, who was in the old building at the time of the quake and was the last man out. He was very jolly. By then we were ready for a coffee so we went to the 'Re Start Centre' this is an area of shops and cafes all built out of containers. We visited the Quake Centre, a museum dedicated to the earthquakes of Christchurch. There they had a film of people giving their experiences of the earthquake. We learned a lot there.
Got some lunch then sat in the park in the sun and listened to the music school give their Christmas Concert.
Not long left now, our last day tomorrow.
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