I went to Christchurch on Saturday 16th April, the day after term 1 finished and that evening when I was sitting chatting to my friend we had a 5.3 earthquake aftershock. It was very scary! My friend grabbed my arm and pulled me to go with her into the L-cove by the front door of their house, which was the safest place. The electricity went off and some pictures, cups and pantry items fell down with a crash. I had spent some time in the afternoon helping my friend's husband tidy his garage workshop but the aftershock shook the canisters and other items off the bench and on to the garage floor again.
We had to eat a cold dinner that evening because the power was not back on until a couple of hours later. My friends live in Heathcote Valley so it was quite a shake from Diamond Harbour. When I went to bed that night I took a torch and my friends told me what to do if there was another big aftershake. I was to stay in bed because my room was the safest room in the whole house.
That was a week ago. There have been quite a lot of aftershocks since then but I am safely at home in Auckland now. However I can honest say that I really know how it feels to be in an earthquake now and have a little understanding of what it is like for all those people still living in Christchurch. I just wish I could make it all stop for them but I can't.
I was greatly impressed by the amazing people of Christchurch who have banded together with a strong sense of friendship, understanding and community.
Miss Thomasen
