A Rocky Romance in Christchurch, New Zealand

It was a sunny Valentine’s Day in Christchurch, New Zealand when it happened. And when I say “it” I’m actually referring to two memorable yet intertwining stories that I won’t forget anytime soon…

 

Let’s rewind. On my first weekend in Christchurch, I stayed in a small area outside the city centre by the beach called New Brighton. I had a few days to kill some time and thought a bit of reading on the seafront would be ideal. However, I soon became a little bored of this and turned to the people of the internet to entertain me.

 

I wanted to chat with some locals – maybe make some friends and get some tips for cool spots to explore – and I ended up chatting with one Kiwi in particular. He was fun and helpful, and we soon arranged a time to meet for a walk around the city.

 

Now let’s cut to the second story that occurred that day. I was getting ready to impress for the first meeting with this mysterious New Zealander, when all of a sudden something very strange happened. The room and furniture of the dorm room began to shake, gradually getting a little stronger.

 

 

Baffled, I soon realised that it was an earthquake (or a bulldozer hitting the room, as that’s how it felt). I plonked myself on the floor alongside the only other person in the room to avoid falling flat on my face. Luckily the only injury I sustained during the earthquake was a carpet burn in doing so!

 

Once the movements died down, we heard an alarm signalling that we should head outside while the staff made a few checks to ensure there was no damage done to the furniture or building. Fortunately, the bunk beds in this particular hostel had been anchored to the walls for situations just like this.

 

Outside in the cloudless sunshine with birds chirping and a cool breeze blowing, it hardly seemed as though anything had happened. Had I imagined it?! Although it was only a medium-sized earthquake, it was my first experience of one (we were right in the epicentre too!) and I was still a bit shocked by the event. When you experience something new in situations like this, it can all feel a bit strange.

 

I was suddenly very aware of how far from home I was, and that I had no one I knew nearby. The fleeting change of emotions from confusion to panic to relief made me appreciate how quickly circumstances can change, and how fortunate it is that nothing more serious happened.

 

For the rest of the day (and the following week) there were several aftershocks, and I couldn’t help but wonder if something even bigger was brewing underneath the ground. It was a reminder of the fragility of nature and how our privilege to enjoy the world is not to be taken for granted.

 

Now, back to the original story. I had been waiting to get back inside to finish getting ready, so in the meantime headed to a nearby store only to find them closing up due to the mess the ‘quake had caused. The Kiwi messaged to see if I was still interested in meeting, and of course, I said yes, it wasn’t going to stop me! And besides, it seemed like a sign that I should get out and about rather than linger in the dorm for too long!

 

After the surreal delay, I was finally off to Cathedral Square, filled with butterflies to meet this Kiwi for the first time. It seemed surreal that just a few hours ago we’d been ushered out of a building following a rumble from Mother Nature!

 

The sun continued to shine literally and figuratively on our first date exploring the quirky streets of Christchurch and wandering along the Avon River, and I was grateful for a friendly person to spend time with after my strange morning. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to meet and learn about all the charms of Christchurch with, but sadly the date eventually came to an end and we headed our separate ways (but not for long…)

 

 

Who’d have thought one day could impact so many memories?! Despite the shaky start to my time in Christchurch, it couldn’t have got my relationship off to a better start because it’s been over two years and we’re still enjoying quirky (not quakey) dates in each other’s countries. And I’m happy to say there’s not been a shaky encounter since – he must’ve rocked my world enough already!

 

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Author Bio

 

Suzy loves to tell a story. Travelling part-time in between her job as a Social Media Analyst in London, she loves to explore the landscapes and sights around Europe, and takes the trip to her favourite country, New Zealand, as often as possible. With a passion for philosophy, culture, food, and photography, there’s always a story to share within these areas that can be found around the world. Check out Suzy’s blog at Suzy Stories and connect with her on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

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