The thing is -- and I think that this is fairly typical for non-North Americans -- it is possible to find it simultaneously giggle-worthy and impressive. I love the fact that they do make such an effort and that they have such pride. At the same time as I cannot not go 'Hee! Eagle!'

I think they probably have the same reaction to us queuing.

On a more sombre note, the death toll is increasingly awful. But Kiwis are being so generous and supportive that the survivors are being cared for -- even to the plumber who spent today going down to an old well in his garden so that he could pump up water for all his neighbours to use for washing since the mains water is still off.