One more thing...

I forgot one important detail about the first night in Christchurch. I usually try to stay up as late as possible that first night so I didn't fall asleep until 10PM. At 11:30PM I woke up to an earthquake! I learned later that it was a 4.6 quake, but at the time I just laid in bed trying to decide if I should get up or wait it out. Fortunately my brain was sluggish enough that when the quake ended after 15 seconds or so, I was able to roll over and go back to sleep.