ChCh Chronicles: Love This Place ! ! ! Love These People ! ! !

We decided to go back and look at all our pictures and post some that we hadn't shown you that we think you would enjoy. Within the first few days we were here, Brother Bell took us on an earhquake damage tour. The earthquake was in Feb. 2011, and there are still heaps (lots) of work to do. They temporarily fixed the water and sewer pipes and now they are in the process of fixing them permanently. Many streets in the downtown area are blocked off and so it makes it very difficult to drive around. They are still tearing down homes that were damaged and rebuilding them. Every part of the city is still in some mode of rebuild. We would have liked to have seen Christchurch before the earthquake, as everyone says it has changed drastically.

On Saturday we finish piano lessons about two o'clock, so we have the rest of the day to drive around and do some sightseeing. We found a Burger King on the other side of town and were happy to have an American style Whopper. It tasted just like home!

One Saturday, we found New Brighton where there is a long pier, beautiful beach, and long rolling waves which attract the surfers. The water is only fifty degrees and the surfers are all along the waves going for it. It was just getting dark and it was a rather cool day. I'm sure there had been many more surfers earlier in the day. When we walked out on the pier, there were people fishing and crabbing. Some look rather serious and others look like they are just there for fun.

Last Saturday we drove and found a place called Sumner. It only took about thirty minutes to get there. There was another beach, lots of earthquake damage, and a lot of people out walking on the beach because the sun was shining. To keep the roads clear, they put up the huge shipping containers along the roads so the hills don't fall down onto the roads. It was kind of an upscale neighborhood. The sea was really churned up that day and the crest of the waves was white and foamy and really beautiful. There were rows and rows of waves coming in and they were going in every direction. There was a slight breeze so we decided to get out and walk along the beach. Kids were playing in the water and everyone was wet. They were totally unaware of the beauty surrounding them and the cool temperatures that were prevailing.

On a Monday June 3rd, it was the Queen's birthday and it is a National Holiday, so we had the day off. That means we were unable to open the institute and all the schools are closed. We had heard about the Antarctica Center where the people can go to train before they travel to Antarctica. It was a good day to go because the passes were half price and we had all day to spend there. We rode in a Hagglund, a vehicle they use in Antarctica to get around. They are amphibious and are all terrain. It looks like a short, squatty Hummer or snowcat. You get in and there isn't much room, you put on your seatbelt and headphones so you can hear the narration. We went up and down steep hills and even through water up to the windows. Our driver went rather fast and it was a white knuckle ride at times. There is a room that imitates the weather in Antarctica, so you put on rubber boots over your shoes, and put on a heavy winter coat. You step into a room where there is snow and they dim the lights and gradually start increasing the wind speed. Within seconds it is almost unbearable. Thank goodness, you are only in there for about five minutes but it really gives you a taste of the conditions there. OUR FACES WERE FROZEN! The Little Blue Penguins were adorable to watch. They rescue injured penguins and bring them here so they can rehabilitate them. You can watch them from up above and under the water as well, as they have levels of viewing. There were exhibits everywhere, actual equipment used in the Antarctica that the kids can climb all over and ride. The 4-D movie was spectacular! The seats moved, the ocean sprayed in our faces, the birds pooped on us, and at the end the entire room was filled with bubbles. We kept saying how much the grandkids would have enjoyed that!

Over in the Opawa chapel, we were asked to teach seminary for four days while the teacher went up to Hamilton for a temple trip. Sister Campbell only has one student, a fourteen year old girl named Easter. (because she was born on Easter) It took about 25 minutes to drive there and because Easter has sports we started the first day at 6:00. We had to drop her off to school at 6:45 for her practice. The rest of the week we met at 6:30 and finished by 8:00. Easter wanted to meet early on the last day so she could spend more time with us. We surprised her and brought breakfast on Friday. Easter is like a sponge, soaking up everything we teach her quickly and with such enthusiasm. It was a delight to teach her and are even going to her rugby game next Wed. I told her we wanted to take her home with us and she said she would go in a minute. She is such a good example to her family and all her friends. She continues to encourage her friends to come to seminary, so far she got one boy to come for two days, then he dropped out because it was too cold. She won't give up on them. It was a JOY to teach her and be in her presence.

One girl we have gotten close to is Sena and she has to go back to Samoa and work for two years to pay back her loan for the Canterbury University. We told her we wanted a picture of her and so we were taking pictures and all the YSA joined in. They are so excited to see each other and love to pose for pictures and do kissy faces. Also, one Friday night the YSA had a Glow in the Dark dance. They replaced all the lightbulbs with black lights, recorded cool music, rented a strobe light, and had glow sticks for everyone to decorate themselves with. They served a delicious pineapple, orange frappe with 7-Up in it and the kids danced the night away. Elder Blackwell and I enjoyed the night very much and the kids took millions of pictures. We included two on this blog.