Ch.Ch. Photos I

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

10.30pm, GMT+13

CHRISTCHURCH, NZ

I suppose noone actually calls it Ch.Ch., but that's what the directions to the hospital say, and pronouncing it that way is kinda fun.

Tonight's post, as promised, has some photos, although not of the city centre, on account of your fearless traveller not quite making it there today. Instead, I mingled essential and mindless wandering to find some interesting things...

This is where I live, for now.

Addington is quite an industrial area.

And nerve-racking to cross the train tracks everyday.

But with some hidden gems..

(A coffee shop which a) is a co-operative b) has a decent collection of vintage furniture, and c) makes me an affogato, despite it not being on the menu, is pretty okay with me.)

Hagley Park is, disappointingly, a large expanse of mostly nothing but flat grass. The odd patch of daisies distracts.

But at least the sun was out, and I got to read my book. See Machine of Death for crazy internet existential awesomeness.

The only really bizarre thing that happened today was when I was prevented the purchase of a bottle of wine from the supermarket. I guess Australian drivers licences don't count as legal identification, but I probably would have been more understanding if the poor woman refusing me service wasn't a midget.

(I swear that story is completely true.)

In other news, Christchurch proper on a Monday night is desolate and abandoned. Until, fortuitously, I got hopelessly lost and wandered down a back alley to see what was going on. In short, it was delightful, and I wonder why people don't do that sort of thing more often.

Last night, I had a brief frustrating moment when I tried to go down yet another street which was blocked off by building works. Even knowing about it, it took some time for me to realise that what I was actually witnessing, all over town, was the continuing after-effects of the earthquake in September. Truly sobering.

Until next time.