Anna Turner: Exciting time to be a journo | Canterbury Opinion | Local Voices from Canterbury, New Zealand

I've been bitten by the travel bug. But I'm constantly applying balm to keep the disease at bay.

Many of my friends are currently off enjoying themselves on their overseas adventures.

This week, I've received emails from Croatia, Bulgaria and Italy. They fill my head with tales of late nights, exotic drinks and European men.

Believe me, some cold and wet Christchurch mornings I'd like nothing more than to jump on a plane and join them (although London suddenly doesn't seem so appealing...)

But something keeps me here, and it's not just my lack of funds. It's an exciting time to be a journalist. Although it's been a scary and challenging few months both professionally and personally, it's also been an amazing learning experience.

Back in journalism school, I thought I'd have to pay my dues with cat-stuck-in-tree-type stories for at least a year. I certainly never imagined that six months into my career I'd be covering deadly earthquakes and freak snow storms.

As a reporter, your job is to meet people and convey their experiences to the wider community. Sometimes this means you are privy to some of life's most personal moments. I've met families whose homes are in the red zone, I've spoken to families who've lost loved ones and I've seen the extraordinary hardships some people have experienced.

It can be very tough, but sometimes it can also be incredibly moving and heart-warming. These people have been brave enough to share their stories with me, and I want to stick around to hear how they end.

The beaches of southern France can wait. What Christchurch is going through at the moment is a once in a lifetime event. I want to stick around and see what becomes of our city. In the meantime, maybe I'll just bring a bit of Europe here.

Pinot Noir anyone?

Anna Turner is a Star reporter and new Saturday columnist.