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April 15, 2008
My old hometown is now the gateway to the wilderness of the South Island for international tourism. We international tourists are everywhere, and it is they who give the city (the CBD) its buzz. The backpackers were everywhere. The locals live in the suburbs and the city fathers have constructed the inner city as a garden city and the tourists are tempted to spend a day in the city, do some of the touristy things, and spend some money.
Gary Sauer-Thompson, street art, Lichfield St, Christchurch, New Zealand, 2008
We played the part. After checking into Warners Hotel we wandered the city, had a drink at What Bar in the So Hotel, explored the entertainment district around His Lordships Lane in Sol Square and dined at Annies in the old University of Canterbury in the city.
Gary Sauer-Thompson, Christchurch Art Gallery, Christchurch, 2008
Christchurch gives the appearance of being a cultural centre as well as being the gateway to the wilderness, but there was little evidence of a strong artistic culture in the galleries that I popped into. The real funkiness can be found at the port of Lyttleton:
Gary Sauer-Thompson, Lyttelton, Christchurch, NZ, 2008
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