When You Go Somewhere, You Take A Little Bit of It Home with You...Greiving for Christchurch, New Zealand

I have had the privilege of visiting a few far away places around the world.  Once I have been there, I feel a sort of kinship with the place, the people, the culture. 

There are many beautiful and wonderful things, friendly people, cool accents,  interesting clothing, cultural traditions, tasty foods, coffees, teas, etc.  And many of these things from far, far away...I bring home with me...a new found discovery of something that does not exist in my home country. 

One example was when I went to Greece, I came home with a love for Greek salads, calamari and blue doors.  Many houses in Greece on the islands are painted white and have blue doors.  A beautiful sea blue.

And guess what, I still love to eat Greek salads, calamari and the front door of my house is blue.

From my trips and deployments to the Middle East, I brought home a love for their tea, "shai" it is called in Arabic.   The tea they drink is a spice tea, sometimes with a mint leaf in it.  It is excellent.  And humus, and chicken shawarma and olive oil, and....   

I passed through Christchurch,  New Zealand on my way to Antarctica and back again, staying about 5 days each time last September and November.   I was introduced to a coffee drink there called a "Flat White".   I participated in the Antarctica Ceremony at the Cathedral last September, receiving the Chalice from the Dean (the priest in charge).    I visited the Botanical gardens in November after my return from Antarctica, taking hundreds of photos of the flowers and trees...so colorful after two months of no color, no plants, no flowers and no trees.  I traveled all over the city, and enjoyed many, many flat whites.  I worshiped at the Anglican Cathedral in downtown Christchurch again.   I watched the barista make Flat Whites, so I would know how to make them whe I got home, as they don't have Flat Whites in America!

I still drink Flat Whites.

Trolley with Christchurch Cathedral and tower (photo taken NOV 2010)

Last week, we all heard on the news of the terrible earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand.  It just broke my heart.  Many killed, a city in ruins, even the Cathedral toppled.  Unimaginable.  I was just there! 

My camera had many photos on its little camera disk...I almost forgot I had them.  I took these pictures last September and November.  This one I will share.

For the people of Christchurch....