Since no one can go downtown...

Some pictures from inside the Red Zone can be found at www.stuff.co.nz (that is the Press newspaper site)...

When I picked up the kids today it occurred to me that most of you probably don't realize that we still can't go "downtown". In a big city like Sydney or Montreal this might not be a big deal, because there are so many other major centers nearby but here... it matters. We still only have 2 operating malls (argh! don't even think about going there because it is like Christmas Eve at all times) and before the earthquakes going "to town" was like going to a mall, but better and bigger and with a more fun vibe. Now however, it is locked up and patroled by the army 24/7. Oh and it is like a war zone... There is rubble everywhere.

So yer, the tourist district and the shops are gone. Maybe they will be back someday but if we keep getting big earthquakes (M6 and over) then I doubt there will be anything left to try to salvage.