Note from Christchurch

From Ranjan Arora, New Zealand
It’s time to talk about Christchurch where India’s cricketers have started their 47-day tour of New Zealand. The tour has started with a string of pleasant surprises and plenty of joy to Indians living in Christchurch who have been waiting for their heroes for over 6 years.

Nothing would have prepared Ishant, Gautam and Munaf for the surprise of not being recognised by taxi drivers. On the flipside, it presented an Indian couple and one friend of theirs with an opportunity of a lifetime: to drop the trio to Nandoo’s restaurant and have a few photographs taken with them.

Harbhajan may have thought he was on a different planet, while queuing up for a subway at Cashel Mall in Christchurch. Sehwag enjoying a smoothie, Yuvraj’s cruise around the city, irfan’s jog at Cathedral Square have all provided the Indians in New Zealand something spicy to talk about and a high point of their life in Christchurch last week.

What’s more, many among the fans have been happily obliged by their stars with brief chats, photographs and autographs.

In the midst of all this excitement, Indian fans have also been careful to respect the privacy of the cricketers and allowing them the space to enjoy this beautiful part of the world and the slow pace of life, which can be a rarity in India.

For Indians living in Christchurch, life at present is full of happiness and it feels like Diwali after 6 long years. If India wins a few games, there will also be fireworks like never before.