So many people have asked if the earthquake in Christchurch will affect our travel plans that I thought it about time to throw up another pre-trip post.
The short answer is that we are still going. We are not schedule to even be anywhere near Christchurch until the 15th and the place we are staying is north of the city. The majority of the damage is in the central part of the city with the epicenter of the quake being a bit south of that point. Our schedule only puts us there for one night as a stop over to the wine country and Hamner Springs (about an hour + northwest of Christchurch).
I'm waiting the hear back from the places we have booked to confirm that they are interested in hosting a bunch of crazy Americans. (Really, who goes into a war zone when they don't have to?) If they can't, we will probably stick to the west side of the island to stay out of the way of the clean up efforts.
The most difficult part of this is delicately asking people who may be digging themselves from under a mass of rubble that was once their home, if they want to continue forward with our plans or make other arrangements. I pray that they are all okay, not my our sake, but for theirs. The pictures of the destruction are down right scary and I'm actually feeling a bit lucky that we didn't book the trip for February which was my preference.
Astute observations. Go—in love, protection, harmony. I say a nation in trouble can use the tourist $$$. If you should come across a place where help is needed, offer it. I also say show compassion and caring, express it quietly everywhere, and pray for New Zealand and her people. —Mom
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