New Beginnings?

In Christchurch city today. It has been a day of contrasts. The main thing that those contrasts have shown me is that life goes on and there are new beginnings at all levels; from individuals to cities.

We started out with breakfast at the Restart Mall. It was a different experience having a meal on the roof of a shipping container and it was wonderful to see the energy that Cantabrians are putting into getting on with life post earthquake.

Then we took a wander around the corner into Colombo Street and here is the view we were confronted with. Harsh reality two years on.

However, on returning to restart we enjoyed the antics of a great street entertainer - Mulletman. After a good laugh at his act a further walk along the river showed us more rubble and Christchurch reality.

Needing another boost we headed for Sydenham and had a great coffee at one of the 'pop up' coffee kiosks. It was great to experience again the positive attitude of Canterbury in dealing with, and moving on from, the after-effects of the earthquakes.

We managed to fill the rest of the day with sightseeing and shopping (oops).