By Juliet Speedy
Today was the first day since Saturday many Christchurch residents woke up feeling like life may return to normal.
A lack of strong aftershocks overnight and news water was back on added to the feeling of ease.
It’s certainly not life as normal for thousands of residents, many who are still without water and power, or a house to sleep in. But the city is slowly getting a stronger sense of normality.
For nearly a week Christchurch residents have been boiling water, so news it was back was a relief.
“Just to have the basic amenities like water, power, being able to flush the toilet, helps people get back into the daily living and that’s important for recovery,” says Community and Public Health spokesman Raymon Pink.
“The fact we had a calmer night last night and people can get some sleep means we start functioning a little better because fatigue and stress was definitely setting in,” says clinical psychologist Steve Humm.
The city is slowly opening up – busses are back on, city cordons and neighbourly barriers are all coming down.
But sadly even the burglars were back to normal – stealing all equipment form a badly damaged special needs school.
Maruschke Barnard gave birth on Saturday – her baby arrived at exactly the same time as the earthquake.
“The baby’s head was coming right about when we heard the rumble and the buildings stared to shake,” she says.
“It’s a miracle that this actually happened.”
The miracle of a new life during an earthquake in which no one was killed, an omen for a city with a strong urge to move on.
3 News