Shaking Things Up a Bit:

61 Molesworth St.

The Nov. 14 New Zealand earthquakes

Everyone knows now about the big earthquakes here 1 1/2 weeks ago (there were actually 2), and we have been in contact with many.  Thanks for your concern and prayers.  We are fine and so is the home we live in.  It was a roller coaster ride, for sure!  We still feel aftershocks. And the epicenters were in the South Island, where the quakes were much more severe.

So, a few lessons learned about the New Zealand version of rock n' roll . . .

1)  know what to do.  We Midwesterners are well-trained for tornadoes but not earthquakes.  We know now! (get in doorways and if really bad and no buildings are around, run outside)

2)  damage isn't always obvious.  To the naked eye, buildings may look fine but structural damage and interior destruction can be there and therefore unsafe to occupy.

3)  change of topography.  We're used to seeing fissures, landslides, collapsed buildings and crushed cars.  But seabeds lift, lakes form, terraces form, bays dry up, waterfalls are cut off - immediately!

           . . . after the earthquake, there was a call for volunteers to help return thousands of endangered abolone (shellfish) to the sea that had been left high and dry by lifting seabeds.  Concerns for seals as well.

As for Wellington

- it took 3 to 4 days for the city to be back to "normal."  Marlene had an "earthquake day" and didn't work on the 14th.

- 15 buildings or so are still cordoned off, some completely and others partially.  The ferries still aren't sailing.

- 61 Molesworth St., near Parliament (above) must be razed.  Others in that block near the harbor may be razed as well.

Organ pipes toppled at the Wellington Cathedral

Interior of the NZ Statistics Building collapsed

Quite the experience, to be sure!  Even the Kiwis are alarmed.  This was NOT a normal tremor or quaking that they're used to around here.

But on a lighter note . . .

***  Did you guess the extra point bonus question, translating NZ English to American English?  The sentence was "After tramping, I'll get a thin flat white."  In American English, it means "After hiking, I'll get a cup of coffee with low-fat foam on top."  My sister Emily came pretty close to guessing it completely!  She gets 5 extra points and can stay at our NZ home FOR FREE!!  :-)

Happy Thanksgiving!

But it does not exist here.  It's a true American holiday that we'll miss dearly.  Kiwis know we have it, but that's it.  They don't understand the turkey & stuffing tradition, football, family and Black Friday.

Just as well.  I priced a 15 lb. turkey here at about $65 US!  No canned pumpkin either, but Marlene found one online for about $5 US.  Ouch!!