U.S. researchers and support personnel have been transiting through Christchurch, New Zealand, since the modern research program began there in the 1950s. Before then, even the early explorers passed through New Zealand in their ships. In other words, the Kiwis are inextricably linked to the Antarctic, and particularly the U.S. Antarctic Program. The earthquake in September 2010, followed by the more destructive and deadly quake in February 2011, destroyed the center of the beautiful Garden City. But it did not kill its heart or the spirit of its people. I was fortunate to be passing through Christchurch a week after it had reopened a small strip of its pedestrian mall, re-purposing cargo containers for shops and a two-floor coffee shop. It's a start, but the Kiwis have a long way to go to rebuild the city.
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| A creative solution to rebuild commerce in downtown Christchurch. |
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| This specialty store even sells haggis. |
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| Scorpio Books was a familiar shop to Christchurch visitors. |
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| Outdoor seating for the new coffee shop. |
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| The new shopping mall with construction behind it. |
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| A destroyed church. Many of the city's stone churches were damaged. |
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| Scaffolding everywhere. |
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| Buttressing a building in the Arts Centre, one of my favorite places in Christchurch. |
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| How did you fix a crack like that? |
