Today, we gave Anne and Alister big hugs before being dropped off at the Art Gallery. We really didn't feel like going to Dunedin at this point, but there was really no other time to go. So we waited at the Art Gallery in the rain. In front of the Art Gallery, there are long poles with a unique design with sharp edges. After all these aftershocks we have been getting, we did not want to be next to this glass building and all the sharp designs. We planned an escape route of going across the street. We didn't have to worry though, because the bus we were taking was across the street. We were waiting for the bus driver to collect our bags when an aftershock did indeed come. It was a pretty decent aftershock, and it was the first one we experienced being outside. We felt quite vulnerable outside, especially when we saw the houses swaying and bricks falling down. The kind of humorous thing is, the Civil Defense Headquarters was in the Art Gallery. They had to be evacuated after the shock.
We did eventually board the bus and actually slept much of the time. I do not sleep on buses, but we were so exhausted from this past week. We arrived just before 2:00 pm and a lady picked us up. I can't remember if I had mentioned this earlier, but Anne and Alister used to be the Captains in Dunedin, so they knew a couple and asked if we could stay with them. They said yes, and we made arrangements. They are the sweetest couple and so incredible nice. Dawn (the wife) met us and started driving us around and showing us the finer points of Dunedin. Then she took us home to "freshen up" and took us to the steepest hill in the world, Baldwin Street. It is so ridiculously steep, but it is a short street. There is a store that you can actually purchase certificates saying you went up the street. No, we did not get any. We have pictures to prove we did it. It took us about 15 minutes to go up and down. Dawn was really impressed.
After that, she drove us to a beautiful lookout of the city and the peninsula. Then, she went home and we walked through the Botanical Gardens. Apparently, Dunedin had the first Botanical Gardens in New Zealand. After walking a while, I jumped when I heard a hissing sound. It was a bird, but it sounded scary. Later, Alison spazzed out and started running. It scared the daylights out of me, but she heard something to her left. When she looked, it was a wood pigeon about to take off. It was right next to her face, so it was a bit unnerving.
When we returned, we ate dinner and met David (the husband). As we ate dinner, the table shook a couple times. Alison and I would immediately sit up straight and look at each other. After being in Christchurch, the quakes have definitely had an effect on us. We are incredibly jumpy!
Part of Dunedin's Botanical Gardens. Going through here was interesting, because there were several sections blocked. 
The view of the city and the peninsula.
Baldwin Street. It doesn't look bad from here, but let me tell you...
Completing the steepest street in the world. Can you see our jackets on the bench?
Well done, Alison!
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