tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57031605937545612432024-03-06T11:30:12.291+13:00Kiwitanga: Experiencing New ZealandAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00063429733366997408noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703160593754561243.post-16218059376237095192014-12-26T22:27:00.000+13:002014-12-26T22:42:14.642+13:00Home is Where the Heart Is<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Through travel I first became aware of the outside world; it was through travel that I found my own introspective way into becoming a part of it." ~Eudora Welty</i><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01aSdpnqZZ0aWkEZa1orwB4pzX7xTSyJItqbzTvb1KfslOrECYKDGr5FIlH6z0Jnx-KkjFRf0XFKpalzuNVMio5uISNrSJAEZc8bAYa81ccMe3edUjxJZLfWGifiTphdY6BCHbQB9LlSZ/s1600/PC071236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01aSdpnqZZ0aWkEZa1orwB4pzX7xTSyJItqbzTvb1KfslOrECYKDGr5FIlH6z0Jnx-KkjFRf0XFKpalzuNVMio5uISNrSJAEZc8bAYa81ccMe3edUjxJZLfWGifiTphdY6BCHbQB9LlSZ/s1600/PC071236.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Mt. Cook - the tallest mountain in New Zealand </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: start;">
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and all that jazz! </div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
Sorry for the delayed blog post - I meant to have something written before I left New Zealand, but first I ran out of time, and then...well... I discovered quite quickly that..... reverse culture shock is real. </div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
I thought I was prepared to come back, but the truth is, from the moment I landed in San Francisco I was reeling from the shock, not to mention the jetlag and exhaustion. </div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
But now, over two weeks since coming home, I am doing quite well! Certain things have been very easy to slip back into... like internet speed.... Christmas consumerism (in the words of my friend Kayla, as we walked into a decorated department store, "Ahh, Christmas consumerism... Isn't it beautiful??").... customized coffees.... the RTD light rail... and SNOW! Oh yes, I love the snow.</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
I think what I miss the most is being able to say Kiwi things... porridge, kiwifruit, sweet as, cheers, car park, rubbish... I really can't insist on saying these things now that I'm back in the States... </div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
Anyway... here's a shocker for you... Over my month-long backpacker bus tour, I took about 2000 pictures. Nearly every day my bus went somewhere new, which means I got to see lots of NZ in a very limited amount of time, but how do I narrow down the heaps of stories and memories and encounters and people to share with you? </div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
Well, here goes. If you want to humor me by reading one more blog post...then I present to you...</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<b>Some Scattered Pictures and Scattered Memories </b><br />
<b>from My Stray Bus Tour (Nov-Dec 2014)</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8-YQAy9QXydIMn2vg-fJyxsrr0kLeYrvyST8evFwbtDVDOVLWwBZfaUCmrV3aHyAfeavIF161cVmkCIECqb_9aMs2E63rJTIaRKdl0shnfUxoPOvcb_HR7n2oOwvLytD-JhlPDpPvd6O/s1600/IMG_1902.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8-YQAy9QXydIMn2vg-fJyxsrr0kLeYrvyST8evFwbtDVDOVLWwBZfaUCmrV3aHyAfeavIF161cVmkCIECqb_9aMs2E63rJTIaRKdl0shnfUxoPOvcb_HR7n2oOwvLytD-JhlPDpPvd6O/s1600/IMG_1902.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: start;">So Stray is a hop-on, hop-off bus, which means my tour group buddies changed all the time. I had to stay on the bus for the whole month because of my limited time frame. The plus side to this is I got to know my bus driver pretty well (he goes by the nickname "Mozzie" because apparently he's like a mosquito; he was always chatting with the locals, hostel staff, activities coordinators, etc.) In fact, for the second half of the bus tour I sat in the front seat with him and earned the honorary title "bus bitch" for helping him make phone calls, text co-workers, and pass around the daily clipboards while he was busy driving. What can I say? I </span><i style="text-align: start;">am</i><span style="text-align: start;"> a hospitality major. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyzL4OSY2RNjkTSt7Q_0PyBWYJidufAhQPJGmttWyD79NPJXit3ljQbJb68q0NoE6zQK-EPq2zveCgGbtGy4c76qS0BUvQ_N3m7xpPQDlB-cLRMIjZthhx6XYcLfSwZ6EMj1IthXHIUHh7/s1600/IMG_1806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyzL4OSY2RNjkTSt7Q_0PyBWYJidufAhQPJGmttWyD79NPJXit3ljQbJb68q0NoE6zQK-EPq2zveCgGbtGy4c76qS0BUvQ_N3m7xpPQDlB-cLRMIjZthhx6XYcLfSwZ6EMj1IthXHIUHh7/s1600/IMG_1806.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Sooooo many selfies. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div>
We had a lot of early mornings, with departure times ranging from 6:30 to 8:30 am. And if you were late for the bus? Here's a spoonful of vegemite for breakfast! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMuLvt2LktU3izCckHJKQpgd0t0ba78X7Dqn1QXdSUSvtJGUOmGGBJ5qu2y7yK35Sg7k1C8NSmKbqnu0qtU32rPwe17nmh8PTGly-XkGSsDzMUr9-kol6tuDRSi4FK5aEbhkm7-x4tzmTw/s1600/IMG_2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMuLvt2LktU3izCckHJKQpgd0t0ba78X7Dqn1QXdSUSvtJGUOmGGBJ5qu2y7yK35Sg7k1C8NSmKbqnu0qtU32rPwe17nmh8PTGly-XkGSsDzMUr9-kol6tuDRSi4FK5aEbhkm7-x4tzmTw/s1600/IMG_2011.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">I'll have you know I was never, ever late!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAbHN8f5L0E60yjubFmV0n-KgO8XWJuAaNUvGzX2W6A_vzbkhnitMYvX3J7GCjRpKvhGgKMaq8Wxtia9DQezanUgD_7SIrIgj2bBurYASBg87wD79Lt4B_MUv41KUW__GBQizF3Usk2c0/s1600/IMG_1807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAbHN8f5L0E60yjubFmV0n-KgO8XWJuAaNUvGzX2W6A_vzbkhnitMYvX3J7GCjRpKvhGgKMaq8Wxtia9DQezanUgD_7SIrIgj2bBurYASBg87wD79Lt4B_MUv41KUW__GBQizF3Usk2c0/s1600/IMG_1807.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Goofy bus driver "Mozzie"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I only got up even <i>earlier</i> to catch the sunrise (~5:30 am) twice. But both times were absolutely worth it, and I wish I had gotten up earlier more often!<br />
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TBRfXAfVpEyrC8-0VDhCmibX0cgri02v3yvUoOisE1vqp6vwV_ZqNauA-rP6_W4qZYe1BTP8xgi1rIlyfwd1qWfmKARNRxkpIpKZG6yMf3bD6V64ctltNBHula89z3sCKYjbV-AiC7hh/s1600/PB173774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TBRfXAfVpEyrC8-0VDhCmibX0cgri02v3yvUoOisE1vqp6vwV_ZqNauA-rP6_W4qZYe1BTP8xgi1rIlyfwd1qWfmKARNRxkpIpKZG6yMf3bD6V64ctltNBHula89z3sCKYjbV-AiC7hh/s1600/PB173774.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Sunrise in Kaikoura </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmh5Z_3z_eS6UNfqjZjrc6bvv9q6VJv3iz3xGYo8-byzfi_vS45VSumJLgPV-W-cWGeSrKcc0hqJiUiCFU-krYFR2Bao29HJ72x-7w0bvj9qA2zl3CnjV_1yDR4umTCOuJtWw0sOrNrZV/s1600/IMG_1850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmh5Z_3z_eS6UNfqjZjrc6bvv9q6VJv3iz3xGYo8-byzfi_vS45VSumJLgPV-W-cWGeSrKcc0hqJiUiCFU-krYFR2Bao29HJ72x-7w0bvj9qA2zl3CnjV_1yDR4umTCOuJtWw0sOrNrZV/s1600/IMG_1850.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Sunrise in Wanaka</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We sometimes called ourselves "the burger bus" because if we weren't throwing together our own barbecue, we were looking for the best burger places in each city/town we visited. My favorite veggie burger was from this food truck near Abel Tasman National Park... I mean, look at that toasted bun.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSJGhcv1Oy0__DiAtwceRe1967zP0fLAX7b1FxhgM5rkd6ZvVuEE-rlthDrXxECESlpDfMQzcmN8XKZconc50lUNYFyGZcIoZGacEiogr7DmawH8AjI56j65kul_dRONDWD6HvhPF2Yvx/s1600/IMG_1739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSJGhcv1Oy0__DiAtwceRe1967zP0fLAX7b1FxhgM5rkd6ZvVuEE-rlthDrXxECESlpDfMQzcmN8XKZconc50lUNYFyGZcIoZGacEiogr7DmawH8AjI56j65kul_dRONDWD6HvhPF2Yvx/s1600/IMG_1739.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Every day we had the option of doing some 'sweet as' activity.... usually costing upwards of $100. I didn't come prepared with that sort of budget, so I usually stuck with the free activities, like walks/hikes. But I did splurge on a couple of things. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
One, I splurged on Hobbiton. Of course I did. How could I literally be in Middle Earth and <i>not </i>visit the Shire?? I took at least 200 pictures. Holy sheep... I'm such a tourist, aren't I? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
No shame.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjVNmqDfMwdSXysS4Ym25G7uHMKkh-X3Y4k3IlR1FPnRPwKNGRAYPnen3_d9C-XETzMPEpoIbA_m8-su1TfUXoDWW18t7o6EtvLlv8UijuG_QiIiTiaaZwTNWg4dAlLwxAE28cfk7f8RE/s1600/PB220044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjVNmqDfMwdSXysS4Ym25G7uHMKkh-X3Y4k3IlR1FPnRPwKNGRAYPnen3_d9C-XETzMPEpoIbA_m8-su1TfUXoDWW18t7o6EtvLlv8UijuG_QiIiTiaaZwTNWg4dAlLwxAE28cfk7f8RE/s1600/PB220044.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdVS3E0Q_F5b3RWgIXPoo89n41d1cC-4-lsxZwWO3cXgUt417RGxNHCH5RjcXp-aoCDj61C_ShxbQY0tYSrUE2ICfNaMwIrbKSRsDZwMqEU2Vd5auQu9yy3IxwRmNwV8grfxvwnozVt4LC/s1600/PB220310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdVS3E0Q_F5b3RWgIXPoo89n41d1cC-4-lsxZwWO3cXgUt417RGxNHCH5RjcXp-aoCDj61C_ShxbQY0tYSrUE2ICfNaMwIrbKSRsDZwMqEU2Vd5auQu9yy3IxwRmNwV8grfxvwnozVt4LC/s1600/PB220310.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPPK0pPffYWblYaVsjxr8XsQSh3spPYVWCIvNFiEzFaY1mCMtRPf_larBmSBgppYav2OS8qHLUTJXqcH671plSZGz8l4QFC75hEbtqvr27onNXMUdsBOLqqKQ_l9rlz-ytQMpX9sTP3Vy/s1600/PB220117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPPK0pPffYWblYaVsjxr8XsQSh3spPYVWCIvNFiEzFaY1mCMtRPf_larBmSBgppYav2OS8qHLUTJXqcH671plSZGz8l4QFC75hEbtqvr27onNXMUdsBOLqqKQ_l9rlz-ytQMpX9sTP3Vy/s1600/PB220117.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">EVERYTHING WAS SO BEAUTIFUL!!! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TGnOSDwP27EYNJgLvZydQIpAzPkONN0fdZphmagetKl6iCFdQbvLIa9S5aPjfI6bBrcSHqoLE4bW7C7K4qaY8WMVEED-mM54CkAEqdX9QopJzzmzYR60vLdtgdUlqhF99dZN9923Zrjz/s1600/PB220175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TGnOSDwP27EYNJgLvZydQIpAzPkONN0fdZphmagetKl6iCFdQbvLIa9S5aPjfI6bBrcSHqoLE4bW7C7K4qaY8WMVEED-mM54CkAEqdX9QopJzzmzYR60vLdtgdUlqhF99dZN9923Zrjz/s1600/PB220175.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Proof I was there. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I won't share all 200 pictures with you, but if you ever want to sit down and look at the beautiful detail put into these hobbit holes, I would be more than happy to nerd out with you over some coffee and show you everything. (Genna, I know you're taking me up on this. You have no choice, really.)<br />
<br />
And two, I splurged on the epic CANYON SWING in Queenstown! Basically, this is what it looked like.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33bpBGl2Y0u0S8MYn4ONvRjkNiK5yvDBqpBQUOJrf4X11Cl0f4TKhPmFKCwAhYNw3E4rXzG1BQ_PHsVb4dDwy3-LlKrdvJNKYkqb_1znEbqS3VD0Kzbsh_KkpiGNEAl3KF7VJnQRAy8gW/s1600/IMG_1879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33bpBGl2Y0u0S8MYn4ONvRjkNiK5yvDBqpBQUOJrf4X11Cl0f4TKhPmFKCwAhYNw3E4rXzG1BQ_PHsVb4dDwy3-LlKrdvJNKYkqb_1znEbqS3VD0Kzbsh_KkpiGNEAl3KF7VJnQRAy8gW/s1600/IMG_1879.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">OMG IT'S LIKE AN ADULT PLAYGROUND.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTz1xz9BgBMLGVr05GUmffrTSCgsA6w6afB4SHL7KrrZmfme1xnLJPiAbgZudN6aEvAaVwgGJaBsf6VNWEFYs4F5zYvk6aV8ZSsVsOVQDzRPmoIbAAp_F8CiRfM4UoG_Qo4TyhkhFpLB91/s1600/IMG_1894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTz1xz9BgBMLGVr05GUmffrTSCgsA6w6afB4SHL7KrrZmfme1xnLJPiAbgZudN6aEvAaVwgGJaBsf6VNWEFYs4F5zYvk6aV8ZSsVsOVQDzRPmoIbAAp_F8CiRfM4UoG_Qo4TyhkhFpLB91/s1600/IMG_1894.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Talk about a gorgeous location.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So I jumped twice! The first time they released me upside down, and the second time I launched myself off a mini slide. (I'm at my playground. Of course I'm going to pick the slide.)<br />
<br />
When I wasn't splurging my money on silly activities like this, I would love to just walk around the cities/towns, take pictures, people watch, and drink coffee.<br />
<br />
I loved Wellington, the windy capital of NZ. Quirky, vibrant, classy. It was the only place in NZ that I visited and thought, "I could come back and work here for a few years."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7N2-67g7FuCizc86tNYxBa9iv8otMhV8qEjJD-BWSoPYGkqL8oUdzjhF6BHEkCwBrEs5rDz7oJ0_2X6dY9jrmYQV8mE-C2Bg2p34CemNOIWWCNb4whRzoy4Cm78vjsDvaAidCWbQKy5K/s1600/PB173823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7N2-67g7FuCizc86tNYxBa9iv8otMhV8qEjJD-BWSoPYGkqL8oUdzjhF6BHEkCwBrEs5rDz7oJ0_2X6dY9jrmYQV8mE-C2Bg2p34CemNOIWWCNb4whRzoy4Cm78vjsDvaAidCWbQKy5K/s1600/PB173823.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnP9xzqu2xW-PFJLJuKAipUM5dJfDSL26XMkUqGdPKCt84WRjawRumpDmdRIt6rJuIrDsErxl6kSAaljbeYOZjBSFiiAyh4Xcv3ARfS_Dul3fJHer4DFK0tk3PzkMWaELm1i4kBdbMd1Pb/s1600/PB173846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnP9xzqu2xW-PFJLJuKAipUM5dJfDSL26XMkUqGdPKCt84WRjawRumpDmdRIt6rJuIrDsErxl6kSAaljbeYOZjBSFiiAyh4Xcv3ARfS_Dul3fJHer4DFK0tk3PzkMWaELm1i4kBdbMd1Pb/s1600/PB173846.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYcRL-cJgCbZeevgUYuxIWNId46bAlWhN4O1g8PSyVSbmkEBY8LIx0j8uuMy4-i1RRC-iaOxispUBoyH2GPvcrR85yEvTLXrITRqrU2TZKJl2XIcg4BtHUF6R86eZ1SyX_nb6Zs_C2YhX/s1600/PB173848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYcRL-cJgCbZeevgUYuxIWNId46bAlWhN4O1g8PSyVSbmkEBY8LIx0j8uuMy4-i1RRC-iaOxispUBoyH2GPvcrR85yEvTLXrITRqrU2TZKJl2XIcg4BtHUF6R86eZ1SyX_nb6Zs_C2YhX/s1600/PB173848.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand - the international hub - and is home to about 1.5 million people. Lots of New Zealanders dislike Auckland and dismiss it as 'just another city', but I thought it was nice. Since I'm a tourist, I made sure to take lots of pictures of the sky tower and even paid the $25 to take the elevator to the top.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvKTy9S3otXLvzxDJpEvYZkTwH4vKERRdY4CTOfwFN9URR8WvriHsqDDpsbRUJFd6TFS2o6lZfOn-cygPSsue_QWuFdNQ9SzmRgfWprbm273CTaLt2w_SSa_e6In74GMrOjQ45NmNd5JG/s1600/PB183884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvKTy9S3otXLvzxDJpEvYZkTwH4vKERRdY4CTOfwFN9URR8WvriHsqDDpsbRUJFd6TFS2o6lZfOn-cygPSsue_QWuFdNQ9SzmRgfWprbm273CTaLt2w_SSa_e6In74GMrOjQ45NmNd5JG/s1600/PB183884.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjantahQ3Lc3cSH4KveJ5yJeGdzW9vvOwwEpjXz4x2EDkYtcBgI8RX1RTjr9mBg02GYFDvWprw5jCJZRkjZDK_zIKWy6U65ABsxaTNAx7msYX4w2L5mzy52bFG477pLWSMUwMfxS3NzmnaI/s1600/PB193914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjantahQ3Lc3cSH4KveJ5yJeGdzW9vvOwwEpjXz4x2EDkYtcBgI8RX1RTjr9mBg02GYFDvWprw5jCJZRkjZDK_zIKWy6U65ABsxaTNAx7msYX4w2L5mzy52bFG477pLWSMUwMfxS3NzmnaI/s1600/PB193914.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUBCOncuUGggXWo3WmFU5Ck7h16EQFzA5CZpGBgBLBvCfILZV3TOeLNALF8iz0UZBITR_TLzaNxxPvEqKzKs7ArcYaNXTrGqIUFjGtxkWitgrMAxidMPsxvQk07GmGpAnXvrmjdovtel99/s1600/PB193919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUBCOncuUGggXWo3WmFU5Ck7h16EQFzA5CZpGBgBLBvCfILZV3TOeLNALF8iz0UZBITR_TLzaNxxPvEqKzKs7ArcYaNXTrGqIUFjGtxkWitgrMAxidMPsxvQk07GmGpAnXvrmjdovtel99/s1600/PB193919.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">A view from the top of the sky tower.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZGpnB1Je5sJnBV8WPse9YiKh3UPq6imcDViFLUXa3Gu7YYEDZdU_0rc8Ym5KDFXUEtamKcrYYF1WC-I9SQBCPV73WhCNpeRD8L-BnHgJorHC-4It6XuMDDhq2QymX-WmxfaPCHVpCigt/s1600/PB193965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZGpnB1Je5sJnBV8WPse9YiKh3UPq6imcDViFLUXa3Gu7YYEDZdU_0rc8Ym5KDFXUEtamKcrYYF1WC-I9SQBCPV73WhCNpeRD8L-BnHgJorHC-4It6XuMDDhq2QymX-WmxfaPCHVpCigt/s1600/PB193965.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Wellington and Auckland are the major NZ cities. Most of our bus tour, however, was scheduled around places 'off the beaten track.' So, for example, we went to a couple of places that were an hour away from the nearest town. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
At one such magical place, I got to spend a day helping some farmers take care of their sheep... docking the lambs, herding them around, sorting out the wool from their shit. It was probably the most New Zealand thing I've ever done, and I loved every minute of it. So while everyone else from the bus tour was busy sleeping, riding horses, or day drinking... I had wandered over to where all the noise was, and basically got to spend the day with the locals and their sheep. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_SWFyrVEwenTI0VqeWAaHpW-mEDLGneFR3kmcghXBH-kkFwL8bhUHPIHWwozfE-s2GMKlNv4ZcoOT3mpkjWqkz7O2Yhhz46m0eFbshOSw9UofdFM1LRkChRkl6F-WS8DzOybrYRKTMNuT/s1600/PB240543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_SWFyrVEwenTI0VqeWAaHpW-mEDLGneFR3kmcghXBH-kkFwL8bhUHPIHWwozfE-s2GMKlNv4ZcoOT3mpkjWqkz7O2Yhhz46m0eFbshOSw9UofdFM1LRkChRkl6F-WS8DzOybrYRKTMNuT/s1600/PB240543.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Yes, this is a lamb. At my feet. In a big red pickup truck. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4_J29YTT67ANkl9Yj9mapyoPy5WqWXL7VDP0-JMgsTSw_3FtysBSFQE3uSbXioMEv9rf1D4fZjp2wB-zX42ZoSW7xklXxutCLYO3GwAuoA91eaWWMXawtg8cRbY9wG4Xa3DH3LD9NS0w/s1600/PB240517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4_J29YTT67ANkl9Yj9mapyoPy5WqWXL7VDP0-JMgsTSw_3FtysBSFQE3uSbXioMEv9rf1D4fZjp2wB-zX42ZoSW7xklXxutCLYO3GwAuoA91eaWWMXawtg8cRbY9wG4Xa3DH3LD9NS0w/s1600/PB240517.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The farm we stayed at was practically nestled in paradise. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
At another magical place, I got to meet an ostrich... Let me just say that I don't have the words to describe how ecstatic I was in this moment. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX9STKrPFaYJTpfm4gGOZ5kR_9iZYblDMoQ2D53VgjmTjZReB2uO9TMV0JLPoGU2f3Nm-Hz6wExc_QhjoIzxywZf62SMtDEclDVvSSyIBUri41APO5RAQBc1bKuk14Xzzrca6OvNsDQUGS/s1600/PB220362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX9STKrPFaYJTpfm4gGOZ5kR_9iZYblDMoQ2D53VgjmTjZReB2uO9TMV0JLPoGU2f3Nm-Hz6wExc_QhjoIzxywZf62SMtDEclDVvSSyIBUri41APO5RAQBc1bKuk14Xzzrca6OvNsDQUGS/s1600/PB220362.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">I think I'm in love.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Sometimes our bus tour took little stops to see cool things.... like the Rotorua geothermal mud pools.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSp5lTr_63vO7vY60A4PLrtxqxGT-ERVnqd1hTyixDXJBxx6VCbKFNYQUXHmkFxGi5CGoBmhHwzWfjAp1WFQUILRE__YmLWzHpLZ2GPB9Gx04Umz4RgLy1ghW3yOT7fmkg75Mms74VWCFG/s1600/IMG_1718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSp5lTr_63vO7vY60A4PLrtxqxGT-ERVnqd1hTyixDXJBxx6VCbKFNYQUXHmkFxGi5CGoBmhHwzWfjAp1WFQUILRE__YmLWzHpLZ2GPB9Gx04Umz4RgLy1ghW3yOT7fmkg75Mms74VWCFG/s1600/IMG_1718.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUD5an82XhbLU-8ofHw30koQ-7zCNhIsCRzWPOxz2ktJoEtxMddNlNIBArIUPMLfrXP82iMuv44rgMMfRp18yluuy9Yt3qD7qvx71BQztQKhyIoJo1kFTUIuBpG3VdwXD9rrvGIWbeC2t/s1600/IMG_1851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUD5an82XhbLU-8ofHw30koQ-7zCNhIsCRzWPOxz2ktJoEtxMddNlNIBArIUPMLfrXP82iMuv44rgMMfRp18yluuy9Yt3qD7qvx71BQztQKhyIoJo1kFTUIuBpG3VdwXD9rrvGIWbeC2t/s1600/IMG_1851.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Welcome to 45-degrees south of the equator!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Of course, even some of the pictures I was able to take as we were driving turned out incredible.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOssBzafz4BlvKGUgSM5UQnhCLockqfy5LK7wfPFO8KsDxWb49BW2mPzW8S71mIPF6aF3f98sd7fKpJAdNgaMWrc-dwQOJUQeWXNrZuFRZHBbJ7vIm4AY8mhqd8aqeQ9tPPlOUvyJlBn_V/s1600/IMG_1812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOssBzafz4BlvKGUgSM5UQnhCLockqfy5LK7wfPFO8KsDxWb49BW2mPzW8S71mIPF6aF3f98sd7fKpJAdNgaMWrc-dwQOJUQeWXNrZuFRZHBbJ7vIm4AY8mhqd8aqeQ9tPPlOUvyJlBn_V/s1600/IMG_1812.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">On the drive from Wanaka to Queenstown</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ndG9dTvAZ9LhrxjsyM6YLGtWMnIAoWqwePCDBrZOeoBu4eLP8vJZB7Z0LpHGpibqDx9iw8whSxsyvtBOrjz-_5g_SEdVw9Tx4PKTNv6OkZoAQ9XFxm6U3IHNAmnUCH6RjFxCNFoYMgIy/s1600/IMG_1919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ndG9dTvAZ9LhrxjsyM6YLGtWMnIAoWqwePCDBrZOeoBu4eLP8vJZB7Z0LpHGpibqDx9iw8whSxsyvtBOrjz-_5g_SEdVw9Tx4PKTNv6OkZoAQ9XFxm6U3IHNAmnUCH6RjFxCNFoYMgIy/s1600/IMG_1919.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Queenstown at night; sitting on the beach.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nJ9ndTqPgg8eLZLW4A30SXL8F1wklDnRUvjG18Qdkle18f8WGG_qsRMnrq5urf73rUGf3fTxZfPMd2jPEK-_M2ZxesOTf1UpOcfIaVaQzoNu0w9c1nsXl4ogOuqThItlge1ZVXtnmIvM/s1600/PB210004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nJ9ndTqPgg8eLZLW4A30SXL8F1wklDnRUvjG18Qdkle18f8WGG_qsRMnrq5urf73rUGf3fTxZfPMd2jPEK-_M2ZxesOTf1UpOcfIaVaQzoNu0w9c1nsXl4ogOuqThItlge1ZVXtnmIvM/s1600/PB210004.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Meeting another Colorado girl with Chacos :) We had a bonding moment.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyF58KBsGFOqzO9oDMDuC118KkdzlQyW1Z7wKAqMBdyc5lb5LAWuv5zCu2rdG60T689j76u28T83PbVzfOiGZLi1SVQLBnxQUIoAHaCl6NmQYZ4d6F4f_-fyt9VVxAIxvfZFdh85XNURV/s1600/PB210032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyF58KBsGFOqzO9oDMDuC118KkdzlQyW1Z7wKAqMBdyc5lb5LAWuv5zCu2rdG60T689j76u28T83PbVzfOiGZLi1SVQLBnxQUIoAHaCl6NmQYZ4d6F4f_-fyt9VVxAIxvfZFdh85XNURV/s1600/PB210032.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The men of our group learning how to do the Haka</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzH2z7fOQSrKrkBcRxeozs3516W_4Pc4hwAs9c3YmteGZlgQ_mIhZCa_wasLsBOJQgjd44HaHrHLUlQOR-gIBLTwrbrRwmkIc8T5fSGI7Kv5T-FN7eAep_FX6y25YBP1Z58udh6HZ6Pzs/s1600/PB300816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzH2z7fOQSrKrkBcRxeozs3516W_4Pc4hwAs9c3YmteGZlgQ_mIhZCa_wasLsBOJQgjd44HaHrHLUlQOR-gIBLTwrbrRwmkIc8T5fSGI7Kv5T-FN7eAep_FX6y25YBP1Z58udh6HZ6Pzs/s1600/PB300816.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The epic Punakaiki 'pancake rocks'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Well, that was a random string of pictures. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Here's a group of pictures that is actually tied together by one epic day.... It was the day I walked the Tongariro Crossing and hiked.... MT. DOOM.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRIfNMkoR824YzVSDXOcK_QI4MWiTL0hBFTWOO1PrqW8p5BDf4DZsxcgxODVRS0cakxUoiJDIui2oH9m_96hMe3HqWhPijLHXxYzmsjP3weaF-d84oRcAt0wdywQDfcry0tWyXBdyKca8/s1600/PB250574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRIfNMkoR824YzVSDXOcK_QI4MWiTL0hBFTWOO1PrqW8p5BDf4DZsxcgxODVRS0cakxUoiJDIui2oH9m_96hMe3HqWhPijLHXxYzmsjP3weaF-d84oRcAt0wdywQDfcry0tWyXBdyKca8/s1600/PB250574.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">At the beginning of the hike - notice the blue skies. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6I7oCi5_Mi5lsKKLnKLDbF1zA-W3vjM5pHzRlvQGcX3U-0FkEhOHJxOFEnyr_ovRgxzB2yOgNskuv5-qF2XbGO0wNpIqRaTvL5C8uku4Cs5gzCGtWlRQyhi6GILIUKqG5ZQ4cWslhQb6/s1600/PB250617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6I7oCi5_Mi5lsKKLnKLDbF1zA-W3vjM5pHzRlvQGcX3U-0FkEhOHJxOFEnyr_ovRgxzB2yOgNskuv5-qF2XbGO0wNpIqRaTvL5C8uku4Cs5gzCGtWlRQyhi6GILIUKqG5ZQ4cWslhQb6/s1600/PB250617.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Coming around the back of Mt. Doom - notice the grey clouds rolling in.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The hike is about 6 hours, excluding Mt. Doom. Only super fit people are able to finish the summit and complete the rest of the crossing before the shuttle comes by for pick ups. If you miss the shuttle the charge is $200 for another one to come by.<br />
<br />
Soooo.... I could only make it up 2/3rds of Mt. Doom before I had to turn around in the interest of time. By the way, the mountain's name actually isn't Mt. Doom. It's Mt. Ngauruhoe. But I don't know how to pronounce that, and it sounds more badass to say Mt. Doom anyway.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjLEkDZOgrwAMb-JDzmc1s507cGFLzXy2g84RZM4-r1AczReGZU9XVX94_AieGQo4BZqdcTOPdgIXBgq2ynf-4SYpJLZRT_QjdiXp7_UgyJan7U13MCySh2B-CtnMlB10yoXz5ChSNSUMa/s1600/PB250589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjLEkDZOgrwAMb-JDzmc1s507cGFLzXy2g84RZM4-r1AczReGZU9XVX94_AieGQo4BZqdcTOPdgIXBgq2ynf-4SYpJLZRT_QjdiXp7_UgyJan7U13MCySh2B-CtnMlB10yoXz5ChSNSUMa/s1600/PB250589.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
That picture (above) is where I stopped before heading back down. No summit. But do you see how steep that volcano is?? One of the hardest rock scrambles I've ever done, personally. I saw one guy slip down that sheet of snow and tumble right into a bloody concussion. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
The rest of the walk was, of course, gorgeous. Definitely one of my favorite walks in New Zealand. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
It was so rugged... and, once again, my pictures can't capture the <i>vastness</i> of this landscape. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzFnej2nVpF-HIL8u5VditgSc_z8YI5Xb9rtCMdKCA94fc93TVe-QqgWSFdbLxAJrjvTjEjZ9NJ9J9BEN1uFM82OeNTCsobwLfVwb957PjDbM6-sYLTWK2dpcTwa-RcQ_QnXzMyDow-dO/s1600/PB250606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzFnej2nVpF-HIL8u5VditgSc_z8YI5Xb9rtCMdKCA94fc93TVe-QqgWSFdbLxAJrjvTjEjZ9NJ9J9BEN1uFM82OeNTCsobwLfVwb957PjDbM6-sYLTWK2dpcTwa-RcQ_QnXzMyDow-dO/s1600/PB250606.JPG" height="108" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXelvL8FUQryFyhoiNAz7VwxftAgXSQfHYuQAqMWa-5tcdNPRkHEsJqA1GIT16jFf0A_8ycviujQ9DGbu4Ro8u56WYs4hJ8OFrXK6S2jFuKPdO_SP3XzC7Ovv6HJZmzh4ZKndKfGp-yQ7B/s1600/PB250634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXelvL8FUQryFyhoiNAz7VwxftAgXSQfHYuQAqMWa-5tcdNPRkHEsJqA1GIT16jFf0A_8ycviujQ9DGbu4Ro8u56WYs4hJ8OFrXK6S2jFuKPdO_SP3XzC7Ovv6HJZmzh4ZKndKfGp-yQ7B/s1600/PB250634.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKI1JkAnIb309S61mlpzsngF57Is-kdpuY4ZQRvmb4IdX76hVDVY0ZzkSbBtXOqjy5KhrCs0P3ntaFWcmGZr9HinE0youyQEFzzicTUnZSaLE7mFYu9sGmxxuMJYGF7u0nP3Wh601MO3R_/s1600/PB250640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKI1JkAnIb309S61mlpzsngF57Is-kdpuY4ZQRvmb4IdX76hVDVY0ZzkSbBtXOqjy5KhrCs0P3ntaFWcmGZr9HinE0youyQEFzzicTUnZSaLE7mFYu9sGmxxuMJYGF7u0nP3Wh601MO3R_/s1600/PB250640.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Just a few more random pictures - I promise! Well.... maybe 20 more pictures or so... I can't help it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1OUeWdTA8EnxNtcKcyBng6a-TUhZ717pxEJiGfsHEgM3xwhudyEQS4x7Qwf64gGqhgTHC4JHhS2lIMzkhH-vXK_xs7CIraoRF7-k65Sswjkxt6JLhUimXnOEeuvJVy10VjbdOxIEamNg/s1600/PB240496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1OUeWdTA8EnxNtcKcyBng6a-TUhZ717pxEJiGfsHEgM3xwhudyEQS4x7Qwf64gGqhgTHC4JHhS2lIMzkhH-vXK_xs7CIraoRF7-k65Sswjkxt6JLhUimXnOEeuvJVy10VjbdOxIEamNg/s1600/PB240496.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzegFaz-haA6MzTKCLIlOLxsP6WrbXILWVfQRgWPYMXRsLAkpBIe6ZtTJMp7oOHTwMrDO0UbKlv9Lz86q4hanrhk7FufqcqRj5rNgITAbkxlB0aQeFBSfzUkuFBNV-SbNnMfjaeePCFSkP/s1600/PB290799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzegFaz-haA6MzTKCLIlOLxsP6WrbXILWVfQRgWPYMXRsLAkpBIe6ZtTJMp7oOHTwMrDO0UbKlv9Lz86q4hanrhk7FufqcqRj5rNgITAbkxlB0aQeFBSfzUkuFBNV-SbNnMfjaeePCFSkP/s1600/PB290799.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6K2qVnR1yJysxQ131NhR2hjjJ3uiFBUgd5HZ3Mk0n1YdXbfVTXQrwCm99iUyEN5w1vf7l0dzq1zOApiCJx5kofGSZIQkbUIAIkGbFtZOtL4bIyA9OSzdA0BOH7eHhDReayGsXT4l63_41/s1600/PC010850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6K2qVnR1yJysxQ131NhR2hjjJ3uiFBUgd5HZ3Mk0n1YdXbfVTXQrwCm99iUyEN5w1vf7l0dzq1zOApiCJx5kofGSZIQkbUIAIkGbFtZOtL4bIyA9OSzdA0BOH7eHhDReayGsXT4l63_41/s1600/PC010850.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">I have a thing for draw bridges.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrYWCwhNgIOCLp0f_-egga4WoJuNR91gcN753RAAveNqSBPE17AIQoNvl3dfw3H4S78-lPT5lhs5i1B2qVJnFlhJFhuBywnre3BwNYtSeZOUs3ElVYker9HMuQr1ZE2MMTa9IBBsdc9kP/s1600/PC081296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrYWCwhNgIOCLp0f_-egga4WoJuNR91gcN753RAAveNqSBPE17AIQoNvl3dfw3H4S78-lPT5lhs5i1B2qVJnFlhJFhuBywnre3BwNYtSeZOUs3ElVYker9HMuQr1ZE2MMTa9IBBsdc9kP/s1600/PC081296.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">LOOK AT THAT LITTLE GUY SMIRK! :D</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2uOto9PDW_NRCWP13Zte99FG87bodnqrDM_CyjW1q_JeTXiWzpXse5Crf3_wO4pGilFuoH6qyRHc3zjau8HVC7TbB7LI6PS1WzSieUPcvJ8JP_Zjg69G0xRmdGUrLkR679KnTy4g_49s/s1600/PC081269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2uOto9PDW_NRCWP13Zte99FG87bodnqrDM_CyjW1q_JeTXiWzpXse5Crf3_wO4pGilFuoH6qyRHc3zjau8HVC7TbB7LI6PS1WzSieUPcvJ8JP_Zjg69G0xRmdGUrLkR679KnTy4g_49s/s1600/PC081269.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1OsZuXrDCYfnTtkJw67zPYhyphenhyphenVI6GSvEkkPTp27VzOLIMnr5u2hljiIotGqNbfcTQwEcwQThO7l7u44YKSAGC0iUcQumu92Eo-UWdpCx-VOE5fWmso9D6Mneq2ssTWVCfqKuNisbF6VVq4/s1600/PC091367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1OsZuXrDCYfnTtkJw67zPYhyphenhyphenVI6GSvEkkPTp27VzOLIMnr5u2hljiIotGqNbfcTQwEcwQThO7l7u44YKSAGC0iUcQumu92Eo-UWdpCx-VOE5fWmso9D6Mneq2ssTWVCfqKuNisbF6VVq4/s1600/PC091367.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Baby paradise ducks!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNDi_6JsYUjablWSO-tZ45L79Ml2tg8gHpAn8TcE5vUTt_Uh_7nS6yNiBm7CBqtggq663URYbo4bCw3sMz3rrLskiX5JtG5cKlzePk6g5jsKjbVYcDpSBiLRnPyOMTFe-UU8IenVKJ0ZW/s1600/PC041097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNDi_6JsYUjablWSO-tZ45L79Ml2tg8gHpAn8TcE5vUTt_Uh_7nS6yNiBm7CBqtggq663URYbo4bCw3sMz3rrLskiX5JtG5cKlzePk6g5jsKjbVYcDpSBiLRnPyOMTFe-UU8IenVKJ0ZW/s1600/PC041097.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Only in New Zealand.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhe3QuPdC95956VGmzX2NLQqRc8LOY7hRUD-F6VY-ku3XKXTwLx2GVtzlwD9TUGOwZuilEjuVJpbyhDG14VuMtaTMrGqS86ehFehL7l3PKOXVom-XubOPXDt42geb5f_5148LzZyB8NKI/s1600/PC041098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhe3QuPdC95956VGmzX2NLQqRc8LOY7hRUD-F6VY-ku3XKXTwLx2GVtzlwD9TUGOwZuilEjuVJpbyhDG14VuMtaTMrGqS86ehFehL7l3PKOXVom-XubOPXDt42geb5f_5148LzZyB8NKI/s1600/PC041098.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">An awesome map made out of jelly beans! Look at how big they made NZ compared to Australia. ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZplvDS6JYxeGKU8k4OKBkpCY6wuPEwiqJCl9EfnZ-85OWIc3wk30foFWUwAho7CY750cccr7pAcE7kSnvBD7GHjC8zY6nE07OuQY-Jnwsy16kybatEj4wqR1Ws1UY5_5pzeLpmRqdIiRB/s1600/PC010914.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZplvDS6JYxeGKU8k4OKBkpCY6wuPEwiqJCl9EfnZ-85OWIc3wk30foFWUwAho7CY750cccr7pAcE7kSnvBD7GHjC8zY6nE07OuQY-Jnwsy16kybatEj4wqR1Ws1UY5_5pzeLpmRqdIiRB/s1600/PC010914.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
We also got to visit Franz Josef glacier... one of the fastest melting glaciers in the world right now. For $300 you could go hiking <i>on </i>the glacier. And, I thought.... nah, I'll just walk to the base of the glacier for free. :) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-ZRHfJ1LcB-zRH73OELyj7WNLzI5ILSnxATk5G74RcvHO5ueWiWSN3mbIdybud0vtvea5K0_jN4o4TbYNkuYoE7DpbyIIVdCf2HiEkFsnBgcBV6jwczO4PAJigH0nceSyIVFtn0cp6jd/s1600/PC010882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-ZRHfJ1LcB-zRH73OELyj7WNLzI5ILSnxATk5G74RcvHO5ueWiWSN3mbIdybud0vtvea5K0_jN4o4TbYNkuYoE7DpbyIIVdCf2HiEkFsnBgcBV6jwczO4PAJigH0nceSyIVFtn0cp6jd/s1600/PC010882.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTQoMJL5dbwabrVbRGQ670H-Ifc2AJoB_bbg6t70JsRzdcmczYxAaWHS9lmIYAZBdTw3Up71hyphenhyphenJNwnJ7x1Uc76tYXajECsMGbtnFBLeWh8Kts2VvJVEbcyTouRraDGYJBlcBdtJ4b_vKP/s1600/PC010885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTQoMJL5dbwabrVbRGQ670H-Ifc2AJoB_bbg6t70JsRzdcmczYxAaWHS9lmIYAZBdTw3Up71hyphenhyphenJNwnJ7x1Uc76tYXajECsMGbtnFBLeWh8Kts2VvJVEbcyTouRraDGYJBlcBdtJ4b_vKP/s1600/PC010885.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
And then we got to see Mt. Cook!! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
For those who don't know, Mt. Cook is the mountain that inspired my tattoo, so I was happy to finally experience it face-to-face. And I took plenty of pictures, of course.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboMKOHa3by0YbuSnaNvZiXrBXrq7bXB4oyGj_ZUCsY0aduNvQJ2ucHA0_xkW9oLIKmmNGCqeDFPssFtwzmgVJfy4JYBgh9fHndlyIehdlTRPTnhOHfLTSQaKEotyxRUUYexq1fEtBpjk3/s1600/PC020963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboMKOHa3by0YbuSnaNvZiXrBXrq7bXB4oyGj_ZUCsY0aduNvQJ2ucHA0_xkW9oLIKmmNGCqeDFPssFtwzmgVJfy4JYBgh9fHndlyIehdlTRPTnhOHfLTSQaKEotyxRUUYexq1fEtBpjk3/s1600/PC020963.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXYXKZdKoLlRMtIKrNKMGmT1UM6WVWfgTCu94KSvhG7Kmlo-KzoVnnIMaNP-olrUV0Qw1HMNQphmWBWemLxUpkZBDw-NKiUr-W1olYvVnehnf8RwjAlxuY1S9gaNfhQMhk6yrQZzKFmcw/s1600/PC020967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXYXKZdKoLlRMtIKrNKMGmT1UM6WVWfgTCu94KSvhG7Kmlo-KzoVnnIMaNP-olrUV0Qw1HMNQphmWBWemLxUpkZBDw-NKiUr-W1olYvVnehnf8RwjAlxuY1S9gaNfhQMhk6yrQZzKFmcw/s1600/PC020967.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7oo0yh7h07AjdkiYk7r6XYScl2Us9xQ-fcrz23nKLZMxA4dgvJVS_rx8f90vIBzRAEczPsJZsMuXTaIJUaD7Ft-ELE5fk4U8T5HBbhJW6cUes79LT00mR9-rfCqmz2If_3WHDCSxLwb2/s1600/PC071169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7oo0yh7h07AjdkiYk7r6XYScl2Us9xQ-fcrz23nKLZMxA4dgvJVS_rx8f90vIBzRAEczPsJZsMuXTaIJUaD7Ft-ELE5fk4U8T5HBbhJW6cUes79LT00mR9-rfCqmz2If_3WHDCSxLwb2/s1600/PC071169.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMU_UDRZZNTbmYoJEESXc-fn99q2rLQsG9ZiWY2M3lp7qs3SIY2IsavSYTOS_vpoKV5sW3Cj94DqPQYDVyC-ks7iZQ0H1b2n5wKRXYYFTpbMGQ3EM6gE3Cl-99uwpFWgW113LvUCTjxDkP/s1600/PC071186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMU_UDRZZNTbmYoJEESXc-fn99q2rLQsG9ZiWY2M3lp7qs3SIY2IsavSYTOS_vpoKV5sW3Cj94DqPQYDVyC-ks7iZQ0H1b2n5wKRXYYFTpbMGQ3EM6gE3Cl-99uwpFWgW113LvUCTjxDkP/s1600/PC071186.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7FCmH1YL-2hnaViv6RynQPEndO5s1qSqLIUxuj7h_X0UK2R_F1IS8elnsqral8WzBFdBQS_mDMbaQHtWPN3E_DCXyt8u-RCeIWRAjOrr1996TbmvqvYeyXpEvoizDFIN7kSNZU9aifGk/s1600/PC071210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7FCmH1YL-2hnaViv6RynQPEndO5s1qSqLIUxuj7h_X0UK2R_F1IS8elnsqral8WzBFdBQS_mDMbaQHtWPN3E_DCXyt8u-RCeIWRAjOrr1996TbmvqvYeyXpEvoizDFIN7kSNZU9aifGk/s1600/PC071210.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Before my final two days in Dunedin, I had to kill a day in Christchurch (once my bus tour had ended). Christchurch is the other major NZ city that was unfortunately hit with a series of bad earthquakes in 2010/2011, the latter of which crumpled the city centre. I was happy to see that the Christchurch residents are pumped about rebuilding and I was surprised to find that the city is actually quite vibrant/colorful. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Christchurch also gets points for being the first place in New Zealand that I could actually get Greek food at!! I was so happy to see that blue/white truck. I bought feta and olives, and I may or may not have cried from happiness.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-U8_tUje3BtEfDD6ANmROicr0kATC05o6u63Iz32YmGWnxA-6SZYn7QEFih4iygWueasyt2mTqiZeglJD_Fuyj0jeCt-dXoshavmlo0AYW3uwcybo3eiZ44jH8Ooq9KbUNlysiBh3KDu/s1600/PC091392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-U8_tUje3BtEfDD6ANmROicr0kATC05o6u63Iz32YmGWnxA-6SZYn7QEFih4iygWueasyt2mTqiZeglJD_Fuyj0jeCt-dXoshavmlo0AYW3uwcybo3eiZ44jH8Ooq9KbUNlysiBh3KDu/s1600/PC091392.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEOE0RG-zZGP36J28uL3SUUZ69FI0jS2ZCMdG0nNIx2x5-UwZJjMiUsFTps8cg2WtN3aCCAPwN9lUPgu9yUIvwQsK83NXb6Fq7HsZXioA-vCAU8KTwghqPb_qVwej_-zXv8gHRGg4vAeBp/s1600/PC091413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEOE0RG-zZGP36J28uL3SUUZ69FI0jS2ZCMdG0nNIx2x5-UwZJjMiUsFTps8cg2WtN3aCCAPwN9lUPgu9yUIvwQsK83NXb6Fq7HsZXioA-vCAU8KTwghqPb_qVwej_-zXv8gHRGg4vAeBp/s1600/PC091413.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHkkGKG3t9NFQC0LLspGSpk7W_HvzRuDfolDOXncDjaR1wxLYG99xCKu8L6l8_scwvJ3epNTxTCWfOJc1TWvBgCixdValogyt-dzxYxogUYg8ccwq0JhcTxdwUPUsX_pf50N1EqJPUJWs/s1600/PC091405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHkkGKG3t9NFQC0LLspGSpk7W_HvzRuDfolDOXncDjaR1wxLYG99xCKu8L6l8_scwvJ3epNTxTCWfOJc1TWvBgCixdValogyt-dzxYxogUYg8ccwq0JhcTxdwUPUsX_pf50N1EqJPUJWs/s1600/PC091405.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgjT7DOckFSlUSOnvyLnigpMp2PNDcnrPtuJBs1VuS9jwCXH9127w3cNuVPgo0n_3qLNOBy8RY3ZQeS5m2HPa2clJPDT9AOOMDrDui6BEt9tg68zjU4mMoEx_aj6LfMzOZPNbiNo32Iz_/s1600/PC091338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgjT7DOckFSlUSOnvyLnigpMp2PNDcnrPtuJBs1VuS9jwCXH9127w3cNuVPgo0n_3qLNOBy8RY3ZQeS5m2HPa2clJPDT9AOOMDrDui6BEt9tg68zjU4mMoEx_aj6LfMzOZPNbiNo32Iz_/s1600/PC091338.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSGklnarzQd7zJmwF0ejUePKvSXWZZiR3Ddb2Hdd1p_k_KE89pCOj9XeQzaTANzAG-FN3LTAWzMYD8_BllFleR3Njd-iRKzW8D4f9ozgt_9ct0enwDBXMClvHWk5Y7Mj9_HobHUKQK9y5/s1600/PC091382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSGklnarzQd7zJmwF0ejUePKvSXWZZiR3Ddb2Hdd1p_k_KE89pCOj9XeQzaTANzAG-FN3LTAWzMYD8_BllFleR3Njd-iRKzW8D4f9ozgt_9ct0enwDBXMClvHWk5Y7Mj9_HobHUKQK9y5/s1600/PC091382.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
There are almost a hundred of these giraffe statues around the city right now!</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzl1C5tNj9PkJg5pem7gpUXi_-CzyS228ZVJqoom9_7BDILx5VmXAC9SRc7lJJ4zu7s_WCTzr6Q29czXi9n4eikoYz-OZ-Sf89XmyJMelEdJm4xrBbpzoJkeamHFgg98tB4cli1uVPkMsU/s1600/PC091394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzl1C5tNj9PkJg5pem7gpUXi_-CzyS228ZVJqoom9_7BDILx5VmXAC9SRc7lJJ4zu7s_WCTzr6Q29czXi9n4eikoYz-OZ-Sf89XmyJMelEdJm4xrBbpzoJkeamHFgg98tB4cli1uVPkMsU/s1600/PC091394.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The guy working the food truck was a very, very attractive Greek-New Zealand man. Great genetic combination.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
And....of course...for my last day in Dunedin, I had to buy a soy flat white at my favorite vegan cafe. And guess what book they had underneath their coffee table? That's right. It's Dr. Seuss time.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFroYNw84svLSN15AWi79D4RyIkgun4jQocDEECZfnUwBgPYVPTYmfDZmerj3g8wuemi4LJ_bn25SEaYEh-5GKZvz-wRvgda1TgOorTMIiPC0taS6Fp_EonLPMK4OAVkQ4kXSBFQCbTgaR/s1600/IMG_2030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFroYNw84svLSN15AWi79D4RyIkgun4jQocDEECZfnUwBgPYVPTYmfDZmerj3g8wuemi4LJ_bn25SEaYEh-5GKZvz-wRvgda1TgOorTMIiPC0taS6Fp_EonLPMK4OAVkQ4kXSBFQCbTgaR/s1600/IMG_2030.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
---------------------</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Well, that was Abreana's "Scattered Pictures and Scattered Memories from the Stray Bus Tour." I hope you enjoyed! Thank you for putting up with one more blog post from me. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I admit that looking at all of these pictures brought back some nostalgia. I miss something about New Zealand everyday. I miss the quirky sayings and I miss the people... but I think I miss the landscape most of all. It inspired me. I came face-to-face with God's immaculate creation - and I felt alive. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i>"Travel is more than the seeing of sights; </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i>it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i>in the ideas of living." </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i> ~Miriam Beard </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
But now it is time to close this chapter of my life and begin a new one. What matters is that I take the lessons I have learned and apply them to my life and work here. But who knows what the future holds - maybe I'll always have some wanderlust and a case of the travel bug... </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
And as the saying goes, home is where the heart is, and I have the feeling that one day my heart might be scattered across the world. I might be a traveling nomad who won't ever be able to point to one location on Earth and say, "This is my home." </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
So, beautiful island-country of New Zealand, here's a piece of my heart. Thank you for being my home - my whenua - these past six months. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
<i>Tēnā koutou i ā koutou manaakitanga mai. </i></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">
Thank you for your hospitality.</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00063429733366997408noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703160593754561243.post-12632274135619266612014-11-14T19:34:00.000+13:002014-11-14T19:34:43.958+13:00A Thousand Stories to Tell<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
My time in Dunedin is coming to a close! It's been a bittersweet two weeks of making memories, saying goodbyes, and desperately trying to fit everything into my suitcases. I don't leave New Zealand for another month, and while I love it here and I'm not in any rush to leave......at the same time....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Four Reasons I Know I'm Starting to Miss the U.S.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
1. I heard a John Denver song playing in the supermarket last week and got all nostalgic.<br />
<br />
2. Sometimes I catch myself unconsciously walking on the right side of the sidewalk.<br />
<br />
3. I became "that American" and bought a coffee at the Dunedin Starbucks. I forgot how awesome grande/venti sized coffees are - it's like they never end!<br />
<br />
4. I stood dumbfounded (aka culture shocked) in the New World supermarket when I couldn't find canned pumpkin for my vegan chocolate chip muffins. <i>Of course </i>there isn't canned pumpkin here. I guess my body has been culturally programmed to crave pumpkin in November, so when the closest thing to pumpkin I could find was canned butternut squash soup, I was just... sad. Five months in New Zealand and apparently I still got culture shocked!<br />
<br />
<i>***Update*** I was just informed by a Kiwi friend that there is indeed canned pumpkin in the supermarket! Apparently it's located in the International Foods Aisle.... which, you know, makes sense... </i><br />
<br />
Anyway.<br />
<br />
Here's some of what I've been up to the past couple of weeks, in addition to studying for and taking my tourism and sociology final exams (which isn't as exciting to talk about).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjru6QfwTDqfxj8awR9_R4S_YxCUN2Bq5cIwypuE6KtKzDtsiqa-c8KPkzsWWkd6oazuGjXBNumFCugfdkFgG4mzbktCsPs8LV68sP5UKxhKQfuQysSinQaGz20ARz8g2-lQ3uz088-uGJp/s1600/PA313561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjru6QfwTDqfxj8awR9_R4S_YxCUN2Bq5cIwypuE6KtKzDtsiqa-c8KPkzsWWkd6oazuGjXBNumFCugfdkFgG4mzbktCsPs8LV68sP5UKxhKQfuQysSinQaGz20ARz8g2-lQ3uz088-uGJp/s640/PA313561.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I HAVE THE BEST FRIENDS EVER! Genna sent me "Autumn in an Envelope" because she knew I was missing fall! :D</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXYze3tVZGklPWesjEHJLCTSW3AosB7eWkjW6HTFAXRkl4To1gfT-KZyVthbz3DgI15eiH26bTuWdEricwXML_E711jawZnxDnX-9vTJytfexA3eg9wn5RUawRarw13QVdaV112GAqKMK/s1600/PB043638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXYze3tVZGklPWesjEHJLCTSW3AosB7eWkjW6HTFAXRkl4To1gfT-KZyVthbz3DgI15eiH26bTuWdEricwXML_E711jawZnxDnX-9vTJytfexA3eg9wn5RUawRarw13QVdaV112GAqKMK/s640/PB043638.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got to spend the day with these lovely people! My friend Tess and our tour guide Nick. I got to see Dunedin's hills one last time...in addition to seeing adorable penguins, seals, and lambs! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRAjLd2ImnmtHwwVubAHw_9RCg42e7IKm3GYO2v79cWoAX_aK_fxXx0-UwxvHL0WukTpsDZQ8Ec_TZWSvnIqzUqXPELSi31un7gks20eu6C1Yf2KHyQaQEclPr-CMK4NAjWjCCBeofpbGc/s1600/PB043619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRAjLd2ImnmtHwwVubAHw_9RCg42e7IKm3GYO2v79cWoAX_aK_fxXx0-UwxvHL0WukTpsDZQ8Ec_TZWSvnIqzUqXPELSi31un7gks20eu6C1Yf2KHyQaQEclPr-CMK4NAjWjCCBeofpbGc/s400/PB043619.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Life is rough being this cute...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AeXBVXQw43dPodD_e8EU1Yf3-cUlcs8Z4z86cUgUQII9Qsq5FVeItVEIxicIc8cWhJOS0phoJHA_cmfBo1XWkWTn3r7UfdqXAx4hbIFRPX8nSvLpkiGOEvJwNJg1TnBPZqdt8XiiVALU/s1600/PB043650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6AeXBVXQw43dPodD_e8EU1Yf3-cUlcs8Z4z86cUgUQII9Qsq5FVeItVEIxicIc8cWhJOS0phoJHA_cmfBo1XWkWTn3r7UfdqXAx4hbIFRPX8nSvLpkiGOEvJwNJg1TnBPZqdt8XiiVALU/s400/PB043650.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AND THEN THIS HAPPENED!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06dwEUAUO0eArpik8EsfiypOr-NOOA5rnERhAqya1Sh2HxIZepKiUhR8fsEpyfQIkTQ4vFioOc6gi0BnZymXkF9AIcZxhJkABuPotqA4uLwj73ktwJXKMjYUD1u_oQq2wMuB_Fky5l8gG/s1600/PB043648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06dwEUAUO0eArpik8EsfiypOr-NOOA5rnERhAqya1Sh2HxIZepKiUhR8fsEpyfQIkTQ4vFioOc6gi0BnZymXkF9AIcZxhJkABuPotqA4uLwj73ktwJXKMjYUD1u_oQq2wMuB_Fky5l8gG/s400/PB043648.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tess and I were so freaking happy. I mean, look at that fuzzy baby lamb face.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRv2MPII9o1FewoH-Rq8_EE3fOgx3NoNiQsaB25Gy8-BeYS7LjAnfYlNHcIi1geW5duHpgqqtl6SDMB-92liE_SvXB9jubwqK1DESWsgOvQujZ-LFk-szaMpGl7ihVi1sHsWwgvEGiJR4L/s1600/IMG_1640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRv2MPII9o1FewoH-Rq8_EE3fOgx3NoNiQsaB25Gy8-BeYS7LjAnfYlNHcIi1geW5duHpgqqtl6SDMB-92liE_SvXB9jubwqK1DESWsgOvQujZ-LFk-szaMpGl7ihVi1sHsWwgvEGiJR4L/s640/IMG_1640.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sunrise from outside my flat. (No filter).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsa4nQGFNVKgnttXiw0RLtikzIk5-ZJUVnAcUSeOwJvMCS466QLGExtAQ-DBr8u-V92JvuxWOt3H2wqpSGZKNTj5fZ_6ga7_2v-kinJwthwq8VtZ4iE28ZbWu2AHe7tOQ0qMTsLiFIv2J/s1600/10420002_10205329761749779_7530303019050416961_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsa4nQGFNVKgnttXiw0RLtikzIk5-ZJUVnAcUSeOwJvMCS466QLGExtAQ-DBr8u-V92JvuxWOt3H2wqpSGZKNTj5fZ_6ga7_2v-kinJwthwq8VtZ4iE28ZbWu2AHe7tOQ0qMTsLiFIv2J/s400/10420002_10205329761749779_7530303019050416961_n.jpg" width="330" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saying good-bye to Emily - the best flatmate ever!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqgRiZsrsM5_6Ay8x-SANGxzjCIpkSeh637YI-y7ccUpj-frj-8a8v5islI4oyk0pdkacC9WTY5ZX5o-ZgPadEBKuaCndnRbMhBtACQPQ_dT_nJTP3WDbrhU0GG5eP0WagFJmkTX9cIcT/s1600/PB053702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqgRiZsrsM5_6Ay8x-SANGxzjCIpkSeh637YI-y7ccUpj-frj-8a8v5islI4oyk0pdkacC9WTY5ZX5o-ZgPadEBKuaCndnRbMhBtACQPQ_dT_nJTP3WDbrhU0GG5eP0WagFJmkTX9cIcT/s640/PB053702.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friend Matt and I did the Cadbury Chocolate Factory tour! It's right here in Dunedin...and we got chocolate samples, so...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroaHj72MccQgelfN0WNaMxBCuPAH21exnexhKB1tTs6MrjRTheM8tGnasOxgMEr6ad6e9irZd01-PaNdS4vpqecAlSotQNjVIDmMg_m1y4Rg2Bnnz1LDJ7FQMt7Rgv3bnbeQ-L7pe8pTt/s1600/PB063703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroaHj72MccQgelfN0WNaMxBCuPAH21exnexhKB1tTs6MrjRTheM8tGnasOxgMEr6ad6e9irZd01-PaNdS4vpqecAlSotQNjVIDmMg_m1y4Rg2Bnnz1LDJ7FQMt7Rgv3bnbeQ-L7pe8pTt/s400/PB063703.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohjR83hojuiYJUX-JSJUc1yI7neRxnLr3DrCptTEZKMNPRo7geYwvHEthSzE5FnU9uUGqkIe8jdGng8KP1CJc6D59U7VLPISdBunyFaRK1pdDnbyz2kPuF7nyLgligbs3n1jGgdKaXqSi/s1600/IMG_1654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohjR83hojuiYJUX-JSJUc1yI7neRxnLr3DrCptTEZKMNPRo7geYwvHEthSzE5FnU9uUGqkIe8jdGng8KP1CJc6D59U7VLPISdBunyFaRK1pdDnbyz2kPuF7nyLgligbs3n1jGgdKaXqSi/s320/IMG_1654.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">My amazing no-sugar-vegan-chocolate-chip-banana-cinnamon-date-and-coffee muffins...with whole wheat flour, wheat bran, flax seeds, and chia seeds... Yes, you can be jealous. </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihxApZ7t0sQ18mEk-vLdsybUKYf1UAh4drubHotNJ7YvGvQc6Y1HwZyZl2xiY98KNfDHKVOgMOCm2d_aUrf_HnXZjl4KctIJnvaGUuYQTGOxAIhOR1EaMciEU9pQsXoyJYMiomBZm8X2yB/s1600/IMG_1665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihxApZ7t0sQ18mEk-vLdsybUKYf1UAh4drubHotNJ7YvGvQc6Y1HwZyZl2xiY98KNfDHKVOgMOCm2d_aUrf_HnXZjl4KctIJnvaGUuYQTGOxAIhOR1EaMciEU9pQsXoyJYMiomBZm8X2yB/s320/IMG_1665.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2DQWKOgnGjUVRXCz4EuGb7hiOWq9-DNL6v5gUUdK39nuYEl4S-k0NJ9wTu_BAy3v7MZTj0wLD-2_gPlujBuYAFg_BE_qJL05nC2l4X0M-gOa1ultS1Qhr3nA3NifT5GUO3X5H22J5Zf4/s1600/photo+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2DQWKOgnGjUVRXCz4EuGb7hiOWq9-DNL6v5gUUdK39nuYEl4S-k0NJ9wTu_BAy3v7MZTj0wLD-2_gPlujBuYAFg_BE_qJL05nC2l4X0M-gOa1ultS1Qhr3nA3NifT5GUO3X5H22J5Zf4/s320/photo+4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Going to see the butterflies one last time!!</span></div>
<br />
So those were some highlights of the past couple of weeks. Now it's time to say goodbye to Dunedin, because tomorrow I fly to Christchurch and hop on a backpackers' bus to spend the next 23-24 days touring around New Zealand! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpPZVqN2_VMUGN5Wn3wn5uAnUaCotevdILApqxExRVYCp9_NtkzJwZend5Alr2gGJwSGo0IQRlpQsZcH-08Sz5Fq4VxNNn7QPVkeGueIg2B4HbMo-HMB8sa0LaC28bOFHtAUcLrHGxfSs/s1600/contentimage-Short-Max-2014-15-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpPZVqN2_VMUGN5Wn3wn5uAnUaCotevdILApqxExRVYCp9_NtkzJwZend5Alr2gGJwSGo0IQRlpQsZcH-08Sz5Fq4VxNNn7QPVkeGueIg2B4HbMo-HMB8sa0LaC28bOFHtAUcLrHGxfSs/s1600/contentimage-Short-Max-2014-15-2.png" height="640" width="532" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
As always, feeling fortunate and blessed to be on this personal and cultural journey in New Zealand. </div>
<br />
One of my friends once shared the following story with me, and I would like to share it with you now because it definitely inspired my decision to stay in New Zealand this extra month:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: justify;">
"A wise man once told me on his death bed... <i>'Make sure you always live life to the fullest, so that one day, when you have grandchildren, you will never have to tell the same story twice. Always have a thousand different stories to tell.'</i> He told me to live without regret, to grab the bull by the horns and to give it one hell of a run for its money. There is nothing in this world not worth doing at least once, because there isn't an experience we can't learn from, and every experience is a new story to tell." </blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So I'm gonna go create some more stories! Look for a new blog post around December 11th.<br />
<br />
Love to you all.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00063429733366997408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703160593754561243.post-1078985667670154082014-10-31T20:50:00.000+13:002014-10-31T20:50:14.066+13:00The Girl in Chacos<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrW9itmJwrPvWZY8RqayNV5fqSlNWnBttbx3HTwCw50hJHLOZeYqtooU35IsiCDWDzYTKDqK9U1NpzIPCm2KXU22Q48FfupR_hNyiTpA-eScHpme5wU_s4FImuBBS8JEqFAO8M2H4QHz-/s1600/PA192649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step."</span></i></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYVU-OZzGKiCGz191asYGOF9jgpGLRetfzSL_H41bEHtjxegHCLX7fEgtfXbUBgVzUt74jrq5IBXFkfW194kf0MeREHhcjim8n-cTxfvAu0PDMvnl0M75WCmG68zgqlEBOqWmJaCU6MHH/s1600/PA192761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYVU-OZzGKiCGz191asYGOF9jgpGLRetfzSL_H41bEHtjxegHCLX7fEgtfXbUBgVzUt74jrq5IBXFkfW194kf0MeREHhcjim8n-cTxfvAu0PDMvnl0M75WCmG68zgqlEBOqWmJaCU6MHH/s1600/PA192761.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day tramping on Stewart Island.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Kia Ora!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well, I am back in good ol' Dunners... just in time for Halloween (for which I have a $3 tiger costume consisting of a plastic tiger ears headband, an elastic string tiger-striped bow tie, and a fluffy tiger tail)... and just 2.5 days before my tourism exam (for which the studying is not going to start until tomorrow). I have spent the afternoon unpacking, doing sorely-needed laundry, and combing through a couple hundred emails. Oh, and eating the ripest, sweetest, juiciest, most delicious kiwifruit I have ever eaten. Ever. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Life is good. I got back in one piece - except for a dozen bug bites (damn sandflies - hardly bigger than a flea and yet leave you itching for <i>days</i>) and a couple of blisters. But all I can say is... the past ten days have been... SWEET AS. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Since I was travelling by myself and decided to nix phone WiFi, I had a lot of time for reflection, prayer, and what is accurately described by this greeting card quote I found in Invercargill: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1NiWN8pbOkW4FwkeJhJp062JGlfoakIwSWkHodj9Y-uyFXq0zuVAQwEgxOEFHJn6IpCLgUQgnVbqsvrAjfKoCdDleOqZ9bIzLYTMpFV4NbhyphenhyphenmkGIJWyU6SNH_7Ejfbm9XW_nXGQ5I3Cq/s1600/PA182527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1NiWN8pbOkW4FwkeJhJp062JGlfoakIwSWkHodj9Y-uyFXq0zuVAQwEgxOEFHJn6IpCLgUQgnVbqsvrAjfKoCdDleOqZ9bIzLYTMpFV4NbhyphenhyphenmkGIJWyU6SNH_7Ejfbm9XW_nXGQ5I3Cq/s1600/PA182527.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cuppa tea, glasses, and puzzled expression are also quite accurate.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I must have my mom's travel agent genes, because I organised and printed plenty of bus timetables, reservation notes, phone numbers, hostel addresses, etc. before I left on my trip, so while I wasn't <i>entirely</i> sure what to expect on my 10-day adventure (hooray spontaneity), I had information for all of the essentials. So with Chacos on my feet and a pack on my back, I left on the late afternoon bus to Invercargill on Sunday, 19 October.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVfI5lNX3az0FyW1SDbzcH1rpdi3UrfiDC9wGjk1CCiDgoug3BMQXciG4Ha4k3pHApz6O1zsHePRQgF3K8FqJhiXD0pEBzkjwdjEDNTD_Vp-9Su3mDfZ6SO-za9kiZwswOTa-Jo3gpoGZ/s1600/PA172495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVfI5lNX3az0FyW1SDbzcH1rpdi3UrfiDC9wGjk1CCiDgoug3BMQXciG4Ha4k3pHApz6O1zsHePRQgF3K8FqJhiXD0pEBzkjwdjEDNTD_Vp-9Su3mDfZ6SO-za9kiZwswOTa-Jo3gpoGZ/s1600/PA172495.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huge thank you to Ryan for letting me borrow his gear.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There's not much to do in Invercargill... It's a small town trying to be a city like Dunedin, but really Invers is just a laid-back farming community. Most backpackers, including myself, go there as a stop to/from Stewart Island, so I met some friendly people in the hostel and we played card games all night. The Canadian girl, Alex, was also going to Stewart Island the next day and we ended up staying in the same backpacker on the island (there are only two, so the odds of us staying in the same one were pretty high).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUebwWwz_QynkAQV0AJhL6Z93xvKgrcQ67YRQwid8n7X29YunnQjRlJppuoWWMzWDQ5H6EXYI2tF0H_fkSI5KBhy05NOw4U0iHDIB4gH0H-DITZjuQjSlceQr-4krJiKiKB2fLETlc4evw/s1600/PA192662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUebwWwz_QynkAQV0AJhL6Z93xvKgrcQ67YRQwid8n7X29YunnQjRlJppuoWWMzWDQ5H6EXYI2tF0H_fkSI5KBhy05NOw4U0iHDIB4gH0H-DITZjuQjSlceQr-4krJiKiKB2fLETlc4evw/s1600/PA192662.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map of the day tramps around Stewart Island - courtesy of the "DOC" (Department of Conservation).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymo42zoqxPwO-lIEm1GZsS42oxfovY5DpYxzOCVYixiUfaWD0petIkakhOOEL2pmtex1SCeXv1gWzFTqQ6hbl60ZwrYdiboxuJBt0hIP0VU4nriLu_hQQEmwyQ6xjpGn836JYgR49OeE-/s1600/PA192650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymo42zoqxPwO-lIEm1GZsS42oxfovY5DpYxzOCVYixiUfaWD0petIkakhOOEL2pmtex1SCeXv1gWzFTqQ6hbl60ZwrYdiboxuJBt0hIP0VU4nriLu_hQQEmwyQ6xjpGn836JYgR49OeE-/s1600/PA192650.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Population? About 300-400. And most everyone owns a boat. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO60sP3C6gkoNnDnhaXA1UFz-tXYgnsx61dBL5pwXxy7I8lODvTLRlQHDFtXQA7ZKBFxjYTFlSiPrL_2GBEJahquyFKPPS2pLk2TkoCXUt3lWCOKkBumrQU5YXB_sv3pc1hajuWXCwBXuE/s1600/PA192727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO60sP3C6gkoNnDnhaXA1UFz-tXYgnsx61dBL5pwXxy7I8lODvTLRlQHDFtXQA7ZKBFxjYTFlSiPrL_2GBEJahquyFKPPS2pLk2TkoCXUt3lWCOKkBumrQU5YXB_sv3pc1hajuWXCwBXuE/s1600/PA192727.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stewart Island is home to 20,000 or so Kiwi birds... They're shy, nocturnal birds, so unfortunately I didn't have the opportunity to spot one - but I did get to hear them (so at least I know they exist). Kiwi birds make a 'Churrrr' sound.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbWU4JLNgWH_57Q96THuSOR_GbKvEkcKF7fJgNKljvCZ7hOMIGiiviFdzWOGCslzCnjBVVKU79lVDLgKNAhmTlUxsRIL88ZDUj7XFL0z2g8xin_DeF0dQfQ2C7ArYMdPPPEuPAZ-stvzu/s1600/PA212934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbWU4JLNgWH_57Q96THuSOR_GbKvEkcKF7fJgNKljvCZ7hOMIGiiviFdzWOGCslzCnjBVVKU79lVDLgKNAhmTlUxsRIL88ZDUj7XFL0z2g8xin_DeF0dQfQ2C7ArYMdPPPEuPAZ-stvzu/s1600/PA212934.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moccachino from the <i>one </i>café on the island. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrW9itmJwrPvWZY8RqayNV5fqSlNWnBttbx3HTwCw50hJHLOZeYqtooU35IsiCDWDzYTKDqK9U1NpzIPCm2KXU22Q48FfupR_hNyiTpA-eScHpme5wU_s4FImuBBS8JEqFAO8M2H4QHz-/s1600/PA192649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrW9itmJwrPvWZY8RqayNV5fqSlNWnBttbx3HTwCw50hJHLOZeYqtooU35IsiCDWDzYTKDqK9U1NpzIPCm2KXU22Q48FfupR_hNyiTpA-eScHpme5wU_s4FImuBBS8JEqFAO8M2H4QHz-/s1600/PA192649.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Life sized Jenga! Hand made by the hostel manager. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5oUlQLAaeXyIjHMB3TzwxEVQZiqTK2QV8faazLrhWvsjiZ2OUe_5JM0qwdXCBRdvvXmsvNN1JUZbhaVI44LVkv1BH9dkLkLd7kcm92P435uyHIfcIXCMd1mY4T_pIydCr_7IJ3VUFEdJG/s1600/PA192623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5oUlQLAaeXyIjHMB3TzwxEVQZiqTK2QV8faazLrhWvsjiZ2OUe_5JM0qwdXCBRdvvXmsvNN1JUZbhaVI44LVkv1BH9dkLkLd7kcm92P435uyHIfcIXCMd1mY4T_pIydCr_7IJ3VUFEdJG/s1600/PA192623.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Note from the hostel owners.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKcOb08M5zD-j2Jo886f5T6b03fXPjGYv_ryc6iCs8DL6Go3E7B-RqAlY7NNg30SC2-WiNwdeeIj69qHJ7RcyHXKKU-LUAp4-IxJz8ZcIHJtmMVxYZDQJNghar0PvHjrhBIK42zSh0alCE/s1600/PA202768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKcOb08M5zD-j2Jo886f5T6b03fXPjGYv_ryc6iCs8DL6Go3E7B-RqAlY7NNg30SC2-WiNwdeeIj69qHJ7RcyHXKKU-LUAp4-IxJz8ZcIHJtmMVxYZDQJNghar0PvHjrhBIK42zSh0alCE/s1600/PA202768.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, the reception is <i>literally</i> a broom closet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Oh, and let me just say that taking the ferry to Stewart Island might have been one of the best parts of my entire trip.... While others were getting motion sickness at the back of the boat, I was standing up at the front and was as excited as a kid's first trip to Disney Land - it's roller coaster time, baby! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So I did some day walks around Stewart Island and I also got to see/hear some fantastic birds. Unfortunately, most of the birds were hard to photograph, with the exception of the kaka... </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqMa1-PHqPru_DVu6kvuCxYehwjHm6Htcy_HaP6Xn3o1ZCVEcCpyo9FY75tKnXM-p-mzZwwi-Hxqg4V2UFj0xpz3OFsSkYeY9e2kZAMoAPxwW-i07LqDQapv-IBAJufny7J4RBkxE7Fdq/s1600/PA192646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqMa1-PHqPru_DVu6kvuCxYehwjHm6Htcy_HaP6Xn3o1ZCVEcCpyo9FY75tKnXM-p-mzZwwi-Hxqg4V2UFj0xpz3OFsSkYeY9e2kZAMoAPxwW-i07LqDQapv-IBAJufny7J4RBkxE7Fdq/s1600/PA192646.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These adorable forest-dwelling parrots would hang around Bunkers Backpackers and peer down from the roof. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OZ4xS0PKGbPaNJVDCNs4n36ZW0xSrAnrUDtR1baXlMfIaE0rg7R_BwBvWb5de3fFbhLEc7FpZGpr6yIG4ljGY22P-cWdiODDZ34SYpE_GkcGcaFSCD-aIv7CYBuMefFUzhqhX9OxVuGT/s1600/PA192634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OZ4xS0PKGbPaNJVDCNs4n36ZW0xSrAnrUDtR1baXlMfIaE0rg7R_BwBvWb5de3fFbhLEc7FpZGpr6yIG4ljGY22P-cWdiODDZ34SYpE_GkcGcaFSCD-aIv7CYBuMefFUzhqhX9OxVuGT/s1600/PA192634.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stunning rainbow on the first day I arrived on the island.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-6Yndw3_5vU6DU5XaTTOC9qJIItoKoyA1HBcdt6a6gilW6pifgdX5UVIiBp5WRTgH4BuLNxIUFG6st-Jcjgwu7kMYlQOdGaFDSs3j2q6jYTscCxAOwpp8dPj6lN27FaK5oY1E_TEYaDW/s1600/PA192701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-6Yndw3_5vU6DU5XaTTOC9qJIItoKoyA1HBcdt6a6gilW6pifgdX5UVIiBp5WRTgH4BuLNxIUFG6st-Jcjgwu7kMYlQOdGaFDSs3j2q6jYTscCxAOwpp8dPj6lN27FaK5oY1E_TEYaDW/s1600/PA192701.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaqDFlkvKlgKUSUCDRDET9zkVQPSylQNCzY8AXmyZH-ShXD4e5UOZ8tISIxZECrkn2X3uj4en5dvOA1cRZfvtnKvvlXG6CMXIOOZDSwn_7pH-GsAGo_oOeeW-PAOhVcAFsF0V0azqP4Rk/s1600/PA202821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaqDFlkvKlgKUSUCDRDET9zkVQPSylQNCzY8AXmyZH-ShXD4e5UOZ8tISIxZECrkn2X3uj4en5dvOA1cRZfvtnKvvlXG6CMXIOOZDSwn_7pH-GsAGo_oOeeW-PAOhVcAFsF0V0azqP4Rk/s1600/PA202821.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I forgot what these birds are called...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEgNa0mxOx516x94QtB-FghJ3DuEPK7z42RucTGoj06NlxyqGrZ9Dk47DK2MThGv7odIXuBG991frjuQKxRioSkXu-HkFFeQSlXPxmZfpAWbpjhOz62rkvrymZziTl0_4O-yOllNEQSpu/s1600/PA202882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEgNa0mxOx516x94QtB-FghJ3DuEPK7z42RucTGoj06NlxyqGrZ9Dk47DK2MThGv7odIXuBG991frjuQKxRioSkXu-HkFFeQSlXPxmZfpAWbpjhOz62rkvrymZziTl0_4O-yOllNEQSpu/s1600/PA202882.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fuzzy plant!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZ9siJxY3FJ6bs_MadHTUSWdRbRCJOo30_X7j0QefzVrSUo7eauOzA2NFGYbhwbWny-n43cKa561si6SbLd-6QZS2KMnDte85gC-Wq3Ux6ArQJuSK55nb66WpSNjyszPMV0gLyVofPMVe/s1600/PA202764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZ9siJxY3FJ6bs_MadHTUSWdRbRCJOo30_X7j0QefzVrSUo7eauOzA2NFGYbhwbWny-n43cKa561si6SbLd-6QZS2KMnDte85gC-Wq3Ux6ArQJuSK55nb66WpSNjyszPMV0gLyVofPMVe/s1600/PA202764.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A broken chain structure on Stewart Island. The connecting chain is in Invercargill. :) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxVwEYDzoQVuGfCCf2Ntc-8AcaHE_3pm82p-wyKX72Zgd_BSUQEANkrFVEIyalr94NpKjXbHwd5b7RfLriLa5WhQwjyGy2lhzYIG04seAYkvfpcDEqH3uqBApl9-OumNHdc-ZOlBpKsP1/s1600/PA212927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxVwEYDzoQVuGfCCf2Ntc-8AcaHE_3pm82p-wyKX72Zgd_BSUQEANkrFVEIyalr94NpKjXbHwd5b7RfLriLa5WhQwjyGy2lhzYIG04seAYkvfpcDEqH3uqBApl9-OumNHdc-ZOlBpKsP1/s1600/PA212927.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I also figured this is about the furthest south I will ever be in my life, unless I go to Antarctica... so I had to get a picture.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After three lovely days on Stewart Island making friends, watching movies, and tramping around in muddy Chacos, I headed over to Te Anau for the next stage of my adventure, where I enjoyed the surrounding lake and tramped up to Luxmore Hut for one of my nights there...and <i>that</i> was a climb.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The views were absolutely stunning, but it was a 6-7 hour tramp from the backpacker I was staying at the night before, most of which was uphill climbing. But, funny enough, I ran into some of my university friends on the track and hanging out with them made the climb that much better. They went on to do the entire 3-day, 2-night Kepler track (one of New Zealand's nine "Great Walks").</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDS2ExowuiHC1IcN7LQmXXOsmyAxYNHesc-M0RQrMXKIcYNFqcxLNB3COV_gNxcfElcXJZddDBKwzVQNDyrrbCGhSK_AfmmIEIqu3Ex3a9Th4qPJ7OFqnUzXgVpmsqEsv9wG-arNVSppo/s1600/PA233071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDS2ExowuiHC1IcN7LQmXXOsmyAxYNHesc-M0RQrMXKIcYNFqcxLNB3COV_gNxcfElcXJZddDBKwzVQNDyrrbCGhSK_AfmmIEIqu3Ex3a9Th4qPJ7OFqnUzXgVpmsqEsv9wG-arNVSppo/s1600/PA233071.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJS0XwfBVxuhIAmamqZVx5dYbOOLkn1uB6fTUly6B2-rDV7VQ_omBTbBTN_6rgh35AnjO0vTdHvj0_dGOeLGTasc8l6XmJhWTG8OUs1S1qMxC_A0gIgUxvpM86wBfcpxjKFu_8KGF7_1b_/s1600/PA233147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJS0XwfBVxuhIAmamqZVx5dYbOOLkn1uB6fTUly6B2-rDV7VQ_omBTbBTN_6rgh35AnjO0vTdHvj0_dGOeLGTasc8l6XmJhWTG8OUs1S1qMxC_A0gIgUxvpM86wBfcpxjKFu_8KGF7_1b_/s1600/PA233147.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I did the entire tramp in my Chacos. I couldn't tell if people were impressed or just thought I was crazy. Maybe a little bit of both.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
On the way back down the next day (I only did one night of the Kepler), I ran into the two guys I met in Invercargill the week before! I am reminded of what the first New Zealander I met told me (who I met as we were waiting for our flight to depart from the airport in San Francisco)... "New Zealand is a small country - you'll always run into people you know." And how right she was.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMmo4mmp8D6-z9jj6-wDptXu0xpdiUUCu_LXio6M9YYkiNBizhabnCHmjtsibR7ySWS-4NcFPbw9EsZKP-7OE0kTTJsDCOUrbHBWIrFbloMRx2rOlC-dipSg93jO7tBbUaRx2iAs5f9pA/s1600/PA222975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMmo4mmp8D6-z9jj6-wDptXu0xpdiUUCu_LXio6M9YYkiNBizhabnCHmjtsibR7ySWS-4NcFPbw9EsZKP-7OE0kTTJsDCOUrbHBWIrFbloMRx2rOlC-dipSg93jO7tBbUaRx2iAs5f9pA/s1600/PA222975.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset over Lake Te Anau.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDbY9CWdrPS6iYRkzgBe4viOFhdusEWSGuB4XcJ06DvJ__JyaLyYJChIIfO_29hIbrUrbMQ4dReAvcbsxPCjWjZrjo5sUf4y-H5eedIDDR0X0Ii4yhcdqNRUbAh-bQUiLp1ZJqOEDydUk/s1600/PA243164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDbY9CWdrPS6iYRkzgBe4viOFhdusEWSGuB4XcJ06DvJ__JyaLyYJChIIfO_29hIbrUrbMQ4dReAvcbsxPCjWjZrjo5sUf4y-H5eedIDDR0X0Ii4yhcdqNRUbAh-bQUiLp1ZJqOEDydUk/s1600/PA243164.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first NZ pie! Filled with veggies. Mmm!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While in Te Anau and on the Kepler I was thinking about the "tourism" of tramping in New Zealand. Backpackers like to set themselves apart as authentic travellers, or just outdoor enthusiasts, but at the end of the day these Great Walk trampers find themselves in a fully-serviced DOC hut (Department of Conservation), where there are toilets, bunk beds, and wood for a fire; they unload all their gear - their gas stoves and dehydrated dinners - and they lay out their clothes to dry; a hut ranger comes by to collect their 'tickets' to stay in the hut.... <i>Thousands</i> of these people tramp multi-day Great Walks every year. Is that not tourism? They may not be wearing floppy sun hats, sporting Hawaiian-print shirts, and carrying a camera around their necks while on a bus tour of New Zealand... but their tramping activities are bringing in money all the same.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Ironically, the next day I had to get on one of those touristy buses because it was the cheapest way to get to Milford Sound... and behold... </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52abttqOHZmBROVuGuqigOAyrB4i0FNEiRa8kI31UylV00UDmtaeBalSsNHk8rf4Lu4YxKeTAjVIUPWMeTUhAYyxUgGwxrV_Jo6QgYYM8uUj7xkK4498y8bsgETyWu6uaFu9fwX6yL1fF/s1600/PA243212.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52abttqOHZmBROVuGuqigOAyrB4i0FNEiRa8kI31UylV00UDmtaeBalSsNHk8rf4Lu4YxKeTAjVIUPWMeTUhAYyxUgGwxrV_Jo6QgYYM8uUj7xkK4498y8bsgETyWu6uaFu9fwX6yL1fF/s1600/PA243212.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
.....the simultaneously horrifying and yet fascinating phenomenon of<i> mass tourism</i>. Hundreds of these buses travel State Highway 94 to Milford Sound every week during peak season (November - March), and primarily full of tourists from Japan, China, and other Eastern Asia countries. Like I said... fascinating. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I must say I understand why Milford Sound is such a touristy spot - it's gorgeous! The drive to the fiord goes pass glacier-carved mountains. When it rains you can see hundreds of waterfalls cascading down the sides of these cliff faces. To get an idea of how MASSIVE these mountains are, look for the little camper van in the bottom righthand corner of this photo: </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMg6fQj42RI1PvOOEZCGgP_7RXXnRfesQyRyraxxGU0liMoVkWrQZX0SwgTuIl1zSRjjDJB9hDsRGbAwWVazihgjb3U-0pMMW_xh2W8x-lYd2K9wEJtsAnFJ4hyphenhyphen-um6hyphenhyphenBq-qnaOVUgq6O/s1600/PA243207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMg6fQj42RI1PvOOEZCGgP_7RXXnRfesQyRyraxxGU0liMoVkWrQZX0SwgTuIl1zSRjjDJB9hDsRGbAwWVazihgjb3U-0pMMW_xh2W8x-lYd2K9wEJtsAnFJ4hyphenhyphen-um6hyphenhyphenBq-qnaOVUgq6O/s1600/PA243207.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Here are some photos of Milford Sound on the cloudy/rainy day I was there...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbVqZ6VCVtASu2aCUpgfpthf1qpw1jqLJ0tz-OaZbxvBZgwS3N_cfBg2TZt6wfCutZN21K2vD-o_XbMSbcGk6u9OrFgF2DQwT1Nb6wJsKwBj1Rf6TaxF725laE6bF1uD3TclDCj1VfFHA/s1600/PA253263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbVqZ6VCVtASu2aCUpgfpthf1qpw1jqLJ0tz-OaZbxvBZgwS3N_cfBg2TZt6wfCutZN21K2vD-o_XbMSbcGk6u9OrFgF2DQwT1Nb6wJsKwBj1Rf6TaxF725laE6bF1uD3TclDCj1VfFHA/s1600/PA253263.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTE0ZZLYH0JXGj1T-LgY9w722NaaZKUgVafUJyf3YiUDzgksyVfSHk7yLj36rFNbioV5Ux4jbOr_oc9Jkc-okw2AAFJxRxkM21NF-Rvs8vAC3fTN33MAWK6KzYNCUDrWR8K9xCmAa2fCpP/s1600/PA253271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTE0ZZLYH0JXGj1T-LgY9w722NaaZKUgVafUJyf3YiUDzgksyVfSHk7yLj36rFNbioV5Ux4jbOr_oc9Jkc-okw2AAFJxRxkM21NF-Rvs8vAC3fTN33MAWK6KzYNCUDrWR8K9xCmAa2fCpP/s1600/PA253271.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mountain on the lefthand side (Mitre Peak) is about a mile high.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And here are some photos of Milford Sound on the sunny day I went SEA KAYAKING! Whoohoo!!! There were only six of us including myself and the kayak guide. Gorgeous day. I can't believe I have never tried kayaking before - LOVED IT. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0_q3aXhkjIpiR6ePteopzJOr-3TFhKulAiZ8CWJ28guS0-U_CmFoUfvU_4ZUho_fdtyLAvyn4g4t3hCbg5aRs7RLjKMO5pQgOUN5PYHRDQU-c3hzaEJA28vRz5c_GkyDzp-xSZ4axBS1/s1600/PA253296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0_q3aXhkjIpiR6ePteopzJOr-3TFhKulAiZ8CWJ28guS0-U_CmFoUfvU_4ZUho_fdtyLAvyn4g4t3hCbg5aRs7RLjKMO5pQgOUN5PYHRDQU-c3hzaEJA28vRz5c_GkyDzp-xSZ4axBS1/s1600/PA253296.JPG" height="136" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkn2h5EgusjdjMxD4mPOp8m0sBa7rw_eJmMRKxyD_Cu5DMbjnlOiZEzrpgBXY-FGpP3m_BLp3FCyGeeZbt-JXNkH_5z_Uk-HU-iomGK9GdWS80RK6c0Lk8PKrkXsQ50dhcrEThDrrdmSDZ/s1600/PA253297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkn2h5EgusjdjMxD4mPOp8m0sBa7rw_eJmMRKxyD_Cu5DMbjnlOiZEzrpgBXY-FGpP3m_BLp3FCyGeeZbt-JXNkH_5z_Uk-HU-iomGK9GdWS80RK6c0Lk8PKrkXsQ50dhcrEThDrrdmSDZ/s1600/PA253297.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnjugp0IWWOPeS0EM6kSOJzDOMUIN1E7MC_f93q3yVAXF5pG7dvEj1gcok4HtYa5YVjctSCoEFmkfj7zzqy-QPfvYxAz0CXXJfk3SqUYdd9azY6aD3q0SzBP3_5s6FPBbphn8P9np9jwi/s1600/PA253292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnjugp0IWWOPeS0EM6kSOJzDOMUIN1E7MC_f93q3yVAXF5pG7dvEj1gcok4HtYa5YVjctSCoEFmkfj7zzqy-QPfvYxAz0CXXJfk3SqUYdd9azY6aD3q0SzBP3_5s6FPBbphn8P9np9jwi/s1600/PA253292.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am... SO SEXY. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After Milford Sound I took a small shuttle bus to the start of the Routeburn Track... another of New Zealand's Great Walks. My shuttle driver was a local Kiwi - born and raised in the Fiordlands - and we talked about tourism, fishing sustainability, crazy foreign drivers, stoat and possum control, and the political and corporate 'snakes' of New Zealand. I love that I can have these funny, and yet serious, conversations with a local Kiwi, now that I've been here long enough and know some of the nuances of NZ culture.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now the Routeburn.... This was the last stage of my adventure trip... The Routeburn is an easy-to-moderate Great Walk - it's about 32 km one-way and traverses the Southern Alps. I did it in 3-days and 2-nights. The track is well-maintained, but it's still pretty steep in parts, and the weather can get gnarly in the alpine sections of the track. People say they've done the Routeburn in shit weather - clouds, gale winds, snow, sleet, rain, hail, the works - and wish they could do it again to get the "pristine, stunning, breathtaking" views that everybody talks about on a clear, sunny day. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But I am here to tell you that I walked the Routeburn in pretty crummy weather and I wouldn't change one minute of it. Yes, I endured the wind and snow and cold, wet boots... but there's nothing like a mountain covered in snow. And the worst weather was only on Day 2 - I still had clear views on Day 1. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Oh, and one of the best parts about this trip? Meeting four attractive men from Australia who shepherded me into their group. We played cards in the huts at night and they walked with me for all of Day 2, even though I fell behind a few meters every now and then because my short legs just couldn't keep up with their long ones. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcOaX5dY8RBWRcUIAvUT0ndvFI2Gc28g-s091J9nsEyH7eN_lwJIq0kEhyHDjlLxNcn6oMzv4MlINnUET_Kd2ne4dxLdhoz2PLWNi2OQsUgIwxopgmXx1Ac9xUBAXnbpJw0ziMeRfWGWG/s1600/PA263336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcOaX5dY8RBWRcUIAvUT0ndvFI2Gc28g-s091J9nsEyH7eN_lwJIq0kEhyHDjlLxNcn6oMzv4MlINnUET_Kd2ne4dxLdhoz2PLWNi2OQsUgIwxopgmXx1Ac9xUBAXnbpJw0ziMeRfWGWG/s1600/PA263336.JPG" height="110" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 1, around noon - The view from Key Summit. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP18Ge8qihPlLLpTmajzlKADdsHiJVYPQcUwoeO12ew-TCF7or9qj3d5Cx_6OiQVs5PZAp1IpgKK107xYrnZer3s6VUIi5e7x6T88Dil2Jst88NRqht1g679IHhUj5H2l3xgNbumBrSqEy/s1600/PA273395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP18Ge8qihPlLLpTmajzlKADdsHiJVYPQcUwoeO12ew-TCF7or9qj3d5Cx_6OiQVs5PZAp1IpgKK107xYrnZer3s6VUIi5e7x6T88Dil2Jst88NRqht1g679IHhUj5H2l3xgNbumBrSqEy/s1600/PA273395.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 1, evening - The view from Lake MacKenzie Hut... </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqAocc-QhE5A-lBq1fkRFudTZF5jDs7fYG424kX9ndLJhlCH2Spm1NiodGnTV7D5yQdhzHEuddqM36xoObZTC2un0DK_7sOmxOLpCzSF3HUqIorZ6-wAyz_Ie4TbncJsmweIb13iZsf5aR/s1600/PA273412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqAocc-QhE5A-lBq1fkRFudTZF5jDs7fYG424kX9ndLJhlCH2Spm1NiodGnTV7D5yQdhzHEuddqM36xoObZTC2un0DK_7sOmxOLpCzSF3HUqIorZ6-wAyz_Ie4TbncJsmweIb13iZsf5aR/s1600/PA273412.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 2, morning - The same view from Lake MacKenzie Hut...but this time with snow! Gonna be a cold day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzU__-bkSwuEQwM5r71sqSbLltIMZ7BYaxXA7XYHHRbfZCuwqF4hFzY73j_Q_5NSKiIlO4oxkOfni8npPLlwrUgIyb8j0yXPXnY9sdyew0fQw5PVMsTvqwYNNQ3BjKsTMDppgaKXZGLAM6/s1600/PA273422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzU__-bkSwuEQwM5r71sqSbLltIMZ7BYaxXA7XYHHRbfZCuwqF4hFzY73j_Q_5NSKiIlO4oxkOfni8npPLlwrUgIyb8j0yXPXnY9sdyew0fQw5PVMsTvqwYNNQ3BjKsTMDppgaKXZGLAM6/s1600/PA273422.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 2 - Walking with my Aussie boys. Or rather, slushing through snow. This was the <i>one</i> day I couldn't wear my Chacos.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbgwrHa0G4hHLVQFEChckd5NQa-cOdsu1RsXW6DxFT9I0Q4LBqK74EsGTnZoK1iDAPDYWmPgMldy_65L_WNAmIwSLFezcd-lQ8BTifjexKRyaxo-DqT_Lp-nH9difAnARirlTcneVzkLwP/s1600/PA273424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbgwrHa0G4hHLVQFEChckd5NQa-cOdsu1RsXW6DxFT9I0Q4LBqK74EsGTnZoK1iDAPDYWmPgMldy_65L_WNAmIwSLFezcd-lQ8BTifjexKRyaxo-DqT_Lp-nH9difAnARirlTcneVzkLwP/s1600/PA273424.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3hJCtithBpuwInhfT87Q-daXY8-Uv3yXBB29rR7V_p9K6Rt3kQQIQWe4sX5mjbaDvxit7NQBjX5kdY_REhrrtvxAvsEpsN2QgyvcMfOZVbt3HfifdLsiPwPrPW3wT7g7cPuCjV48tQSb/s1600/PA273433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3hJCtithBpuwInhfT87Q-daXY8-Uv3yXBB29rR7V_p9K6Rt3kQQIQWe4sX5mjbaDvxit7NQBjX5kdY_REhrrtvxAvsEpsN2QgyvcMfOZVbt3HfifdLsiPwPrPW3wT7g7cPuCjV48tQSb/s1600/PA273433.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7IF9a6uu9WFnoZ4eYY74Q3IHqjUoqpSvChtJXa4F-ITBpd34gAx0au4rs56fWbg6UJP9wQp-h3nlEI8Qjoe6WsEV1Pyv2pI0wX2oPhx0lMMrpAvnZshyUOTukJqb-V69Gta74R48l5Ig/s1600/PA273436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7IF9a6uu9WFnoZ4eYY74Q3IHqjUoqpSvChtJXa4F-ITBpd34gAx0au4rs56fWbg6UJP9wQp-h3nlEI8Qjoe6WsEV1Pyv2pI0wX2oPhx0lMMrpAvnZshyUOTukJqb-V69Gta74R48l5Ig/s1600/PA273436.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wish my pictures could capture the sheer height and depth of these mountains and valleys. I felt so small.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDgvnIkw7vBWuDett7eoFzbcJKWwMAnFldbMuXewC66yFtC2BJCCNf1xJJxIFDTnVW3OEyUhFbTF1zg_yodS9LWpjssyYhG5fv0frXd99YxrZM10kTvrkzaHpaG2hzBRSKOQPor2QmwCC/s1600/PA283512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDgvnIkw7vBWuDett7eoFzbcJKWwMAnFldbMuXewC66yFtC2BJCCNf1xJJxIFDTnVW3OEyUhFbTF1zg_yodS9LWpjssyYhG5fv0frXd99YxrZM10kTvrkzaHpaG2hzBRSKOQPor2QmwCC/s1600/PA283512.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 3 - Finally descended into lower altitudes. And I got to cross my first real swinging bridge!! So much fun! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqeyL80t83WDFj4-sNzZCbq2FaJSvFFALS8NxFQIbmwDkuqSu1V3kOgw9P6DmvDIm_XnkoyedmBm7yETPVFJkbw_GmqMg9GO-g9QU6RzAS68gqLMhwWBXoZfJESm86oYoHNsK2eKZrdR2o/s1600/PA283520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqeyL80t83WDFj4-sNzZCbq2FaJSvFFALS8NxFQIbmwDkuqSu1V3kOgw9P6DmvDIm_XnkoyedmBm7yETPVFJkbw_GmqMg9GO-g9QU6RzAS68gqLMhwWBXoZfJESm86oYoHNsK2eKZrdR2o/s1600/PA283520.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tell me... Why can't I keep a wild Kea parrot as a pet?? Just look at those eyes! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I got to the Routeburn Shelter around 1 pm on Thursday, 30 October. An hour later I got on a shuttle bus to Queenstown, where I ate a delicious tofu burger with chips from Fergburger and then crashed at a quiet hostel outside of town. This morning I took the 7:45 am InterCity bus to Dunedin, and now I am here! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It's getting late and I should be getting ready for my Halloween potluck, but I would like to close with a few thoughts/reflections I've had this week... </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>1. The grass isn't always greener when travelling alone or with others. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I loved travelling alone. It was empowering, it provided me time for reflection and journal writing, and it encouraged me to meet new people that I otherwise I wouldn't have engaged with (had I been travelling with friends or family). But it was also lonely at times, like when I would see something interesting but there was no one to share that moment with. At the same time, travelling with others has disadvantages, too... If I had been with someone else I wouldn't have been able to do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So it goes both ways. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>2. It's okay to cry, seek more alone time, and have momentary freak out moments.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Like when I came out of the supermarket during a bus break and the bus wasn't waiting at the bus stop anymore, and for 2 or 3 minutes I thought I had lost my pack and everything in it. It was pouring rain. I was in Gore - the middle of nowhere, basically - and yes, I freaked out. (The bus came around the corner just a minute later, right on time for departure - the driver had just gone to run a quick errand). </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Or like when I was tramping in Stewart Island... It was towards the end of the day. I was tired and lonely, and when I thought of one of my good friends back home, I let myself cry for a minute. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Or when I was in the first hut of the Routeburn Track. The hut ranger was nowhere to be found, we were cold and wet and couldn't get a fire started, and weather forecasts looked so grim that we thought we might not be able to continue tramping the next day. I was cold and scared - and yes, I freaked out then, too. But just for a few moments. (The hut ranger showed up eventually and we finally did get the fire started.)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>3. Don't ever... <i>ever</i>...forget bug repellant. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I didn't have bug repellant during my time in Stewart Island... <i>definitely</i> a mistake I came to regret every single night thereafter, when I literally wasn't able to fall asleep because I couldn't stop itching my feet, calves, and wrists. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
......</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Well. That about wraps up this blog post..... now where did I put those tiger ears?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00063429733366997408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703160593754561243.post-30222540053489447312014-10-14T22:21:00.001+13:002014-10-14T22:29:56.055+13:00Butterflies, Hang-gliding, and Falafel BurgersKia Ora!<br />
<br />
I am now officially done with lectures at the University of Otago. WHAT?!?!? Time is crazy fast.<br />
<br />
...Reminds me of that Pink Floyd song..... "You run and you run to catch up with the sun, but it's sinking / Racing around to come up behind you again... The time is gone, the song is over / Thought I'd something more to say."<br />
<br />
Anyways.<br />
<br />
Speaking of suns, how about some moons?? Hope everyone had the chance to see the gorgeous Blood Moon from last week. (Awesome picture courtesy of Thomas Or.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cyBUH8BDkOKU75Hz6GsL03D_4vL0uZJNwx0UzINqJV4lFY9i8AvwY7ZKfo5FshY8aKvf5rMg86Kn8-GhrgKFAZ57FasP1d_73-NadTTp_avFcL4fMg4UXikZe6vHvaSiLV4xYOguXkPZ/s1600/10636179_10153649407130190_4135943076775756880_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cyBUH8BDkOKU75Hz6GsL03D_4vL0uZJNwx0UzINqJV4lFY9i8AvwY7ZKfo5FshY8aKvf5rMg86Kn8-GhrgKFAZ57FasP1d_73-NadTTp_avFcL4fMg4UXikZe6vHvaSiLV4xYOguXkPZ/s1600/10636179_10153649407130190_4135943076775756880_n.jpg" height="464" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Last week I also had the chance to visit the Tropical Discovery section of the Otago Museum, where there are BUTTERFLIES!!!! It brought me back about a decade to the time I went with my aunt and cousins to the butterfly museum somewhere in Colorado. Or maybe I went with my mom and brother... Holy Guacamole, where has my memory gone??<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxd5l4VudAnJrTzu_EvzyagpsJuwvmMNnRtI-aglxZlRC0C4_ydDgEtQD0hrp_qC8TKJ8UUFnIyGI7zoa22KTY5xHrAfV1dA6X_9jujSTMUOwQbiNA0uvu6z8HBrWN4IyALpaYlC8ZbcQp/s1600/IMG_1524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxd5l4VudAnJrTzu_EvzyagpsJuwvmMNnRtI-aglxZlRC0C4_ydDgEtQD0hrp_qC8TKJ8UUFnIyGI7zoa22KTY5xHrAfV1dA6X_9jujSTMUOwQbiNA0uvu6z8HBrWN4IyALpaYlC8ZbcQp/s1600/IMG_1524.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBTOxTr7AxGAgLBpLTb1-bS3m4tOj3FFGBMF1RAQjR6WzmWHu37J4crYGKTVkdtKogt7WRRekrSz5kUa-gpqYQQ_Haa7Zgiw_Uf45VDrRPcUSa35FeXzWustv_XpdOfYUD2PDYq5UAw_2/s1600/IMG_1528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBTOxTr7AxGAgLBpLTb1-bS3m4tOj3FFGBMF1RAQjR6WzmWHu37J4crYGKTVkdtKogt7WRRekrSz5kUa-gpqYQQ_Haa7Zgiw_Uf45VDrRPcUSa35FeXzWustv_XpdOfYUD2PDYq5UAw_2/s1600/IMG_1528.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
I admit... I was scared of the butterflies. Yes, me - a grown woman - took half an hour to muster the courage to approach a little butterfly. I had to learn how to pick them up by observing that cute little girl do it. But after an hour I was like a pro! Hooray for conquering fears!<br />
<br />
And speaking of fears... on Sunday I went HANG-GLIDING in Queenstown! But what's funny about that is I'm NOT afraid of heights. In fact, hangliding was actually a bit underwhelming. I think I was expecting more of a 'roller coaster' effect - but instead it was more like watching a movie. But it was still awesome! Gliding over the trees and hills, wind roaring in my ears. I could run off a mountain cliff like that every morning. ;)<br />
<br />
This was the view:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllzUVPyX9_JELO4hkgph0gXK6Oj85lroa9_OZV8W-1jLlbI_5UJvI1Noidqg1UyzQgkRKyvY3C4XYuzhhXwyKHVhChi4SNWWvsqIsRhva34ObW20KxJsxX_QZFWksb4u4bTPcn-Ku0_iC/s1600/PA102443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllzUVPyX9_JELO4hkgph0gXK6Oj85lroa9_OZV8W-1jLlbI_5UJvI1Noidqg1UyzQgkRKyvY3C4XYuzhhXwyKHVhChi4SNWWvsqIsRhva34ObW20KxJsxX_QZFWksb4u4bTPcn-Ku0_iC/s1600/PA102443.JPG" height="206" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
I went with my friend Michele. She's super awesome!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgRF6oBbW7xaEOJxIpGxWhkhUHgruFWvvbK3eYBoc_aZGXgIRcXpL5D3b1qfrQutRCQYOTIsQiC7GmwNFZ6IBPIgNsSGtXyTE83WxMJ6q7pz1XMALFW8CVcBpOfNREjcbRPSo_MYvPOUL/s1600/PA102447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgRF6oBbW7xaEOJxIpGxWhkhUHgruFWvvbK3eYBoc_aZGXgIRcXpL5D3b1qfrQutRCQYOTIsQiC7GmwNFZ6IBPIgNsSGtXyTE83WxMJ6q7pz1XMALFW8CVcBpOfNREjcbRPSo_MYvPOUL/s1600/PA102447.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay! We did it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUyJlCGE-A6k1yr3Omfl9ddRZtH8PKQAP3OLjXuqp7CiUOGF1L3mcu0zw4ntJ79Om2EQO9TKCPXty9CTd9QvN7e71mqLDp4WvmIm2H_d2S7XGBwAU0_BBVjE2VzkOe-qbbagWmuZr-6-z9/s1600/PA102432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUyJlCGE-A6k1yr3Omfl9ddRZtH8PKQAP3OLjXuqp7CiUOGF1L3mcu0zw4ntJ79Om2EQO9TKCPXty9CTd9QvN7e71mqLDp4WvmIm2H_d2S7XGBwAU0_BBVjE2VzkOe-qbbagWmuZr-6-z9/s1600/PA102432.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome big tree! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZ7hnDaY-Pfa_5Q_a0ojwfvgYSlO-GbCRw4-DrhJvRdEhjF0v1HNBwZnL4eDnEwVEOs9EtFUd0EwON-Y7OWc7ALnViUOfpz0w9luaX5b584OGuYNRTmD_MT5V9OUsSaJ0kWY2s7bvOPf6/s1600/PA102379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZ7hnDaY-Pfa_5Q_a0ojwfvgYSlO-GbCRw4-DrhJvRdEhjF0v1HNBwZnL4eDnEwVEOs9EtFUd0EwON-Y7OWc7ALnViUOfpz0w9luaX5b584OGuYNRTmD_MT5V9OUsSaJ0kWY2s7bvOPf6/s1600/PA102379.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who knows me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BEtVV0otD7ZKr8cqOINhbOGhmzrjqBLhoCr6Sqtip5lKxt4GZvUZjYbXI_GRuiRK2hPapgyBYRDfVLuNxmGFa6GPIVDbaCpPdFHtHo41uXkT_trVI_l1GjEt267N7DjQmifP87cgG1Cy/s1600/PA102460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BEtVV0otD7ZKr8cqOINhbOGhmzrjqBLhoCr6Sqtip5lKxt4GZvUZjYbXI_GRuiRK2hPapgyBYRDfVLuNxmGFa6GPIVDbaCpPdFHtHo41uXkT_trVI_l1GjEt267N7DjQmifP87cgG1Cy/s1600/PA102460.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where else in the world can you eat Kiwi and Hokey Pokey truffles???</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl2XyFlqjtQZSj365c1ArGZm4WwKvEhFK-xHi0Vpcn36Jf91jwEWJVMbpUy5E_B5K8gC7QBzGl1EmyeOk3HA0TIoriLQhTIg-W87jFCWytZpuxNdTxtB23v8vY4VDPOsf-Nh5i6rNVy1dE/s1600/PA102467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl2XyFlqjtQZSj365c1ArGZm4WwKvEhFK-xHi0Vpcn36Jf91jwEWJVMbpUy5E_B5K8gC7QBzGl1EmyeOk3HA0TIoriLQhTIg-W87jFCWytZpuxNdTxtB23v8vY4VDPOsf-Nh5i6rNVy1dE/s1600/PA102467.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We ate tofu and falafel burgers for lunch! I LOVE BEING A VEGETARIAN! So yum.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tJDaLmj9jcw9WzG-WreB8Cstkd4KIOHFNRQnOr173IfRSZORNzbxdRgkGge12l1u8_g6SP60B3q-i0BmocXBdwLsCsooij43KhAqBg7CnPI0VXVtqoUNjt0G-kMhUVDmXfEu3acWlD-o/s1600/PA102407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tJDaLmj9jcw9WzG-WreB8Cstkd4KIOHFNRQnOr173IfRSZORNzbxdRgkGge12l1u8_g6SP60B3q-i0BmocXBdwLsCsooij43KhAqBg7CnPI0VXVtqoUNjt0G-kMhUVDmXfEu3acWlD-o/s1600/PA102407.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kiwi accents make 'willow tree' sound like 'blue tree' to me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Oh, and we got to Queenstown by hitchhiking! NOBODY FREAK OUT! Hitchhiking is common in New Zealand and is relatively safe. The rules are you go with a buddy and you don't get into a car you feel isn't safe. Plus just look at how damn cute we are! Who wouldn't want to help us out?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWulRMGgvbEIyq956hXo1MfK2ZQFwGFy11-HuWNoTcjQxqvbwokNWpRZ3g1Uybph21CJ3qcN1reSbIZP4nTzc1w0LNil3B0Qn2tp0hskoQQyLyjR8HvuiegL-N5WTD6-wz19n_krRSVmiy/s1600/IMG_0040.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWulRMGgvbEIyq956hXo1MfK2ZQFwGFy11-HuWNoTcjQxqvbwokNWpRZ3g1Uybph21CJ3qcN1reSbIZP4nTzc1w0LNil3B0Qn2tp0hskoQQyLyjR8HvuiegL-N5WTD6-wz19n_krRSVmiy/s1600/IMG_0040.jpeg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vTq4hgimBxtoHJpTwNZcH6X3n5qgJhi2rB4Hfk3rCLaigGB1lyfAwT9AVoFmhNOfAPIhF0rwgwAkh5aUc256l7Z3-ENSk_G1ePcZpSSl8C8hBwcCllijFJ3yruO1LCcQv67wK8k_hYUZ/s1600/IMG_0039.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vTq4hgimBxtoHJpTwNZcH6X3n5qgJhi2rB4Hfk3rCLaigGB1lyfAwT9AVoFmhNOfAPIhF0rwgwAkh5aUc256l7Z3-ENSk_G1ePcZpSSl8C8hBwcCllijFJ3yruO1LCcQv67wK8k_hYUZ/s1600/IMG_0039.jpeg" height="400" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
So the rest of this week is studying and prepping for my tourism and sociology exams, which aren't until the beginning of November, and because I don't want to study for a full month, I'm going to go on a wee 'South-South Island' trip. I leave on Sunday for Invercargill and Stewart Island for a few days, then head to Te Anau and then Milford Sound where I will do sea kayaking. Then I'm going to do a three day, two-night 'Great Walk' - the Routeburn Track - followed by a night in Queenstown before heading back to good ol' Dunners, just in time for Halloween.<br />
<br />
Life is good. God is good. I'm so incredibly blessed to have this opportunity to learn and grow and change and love and live. Last week I made two lists (because you know how much I like making lists). I listed all the things I love (and will miss) about Dunedin, and then I listed all the things I love (and do miss) about Denver/Parker. Both lists make me very happy.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00063429733366997408noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703160593754561243.post-3663289032326729862014-09-29T15:16:00.002+13:002014-09-29T15:16:58.179+13:00"Insert Witty Blog Post Title Here"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Five Blog-Worthy Things </b><b>from Abreana Land This Week </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Also... a list of my favourite </i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Kiwi slang is </i></b><b><i>at the end of this post!</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
1. I spent 30-40 hours in the library writing a paper on tourism sustainability in New Zealand.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Read between the lines... Yes, I do go to school here! I have not been adventuring lately, and I'm pretty sure you don't want to see photos of me drowning in books at the library... hence why there have been only three blog posts this September. </i></blockquote>
2. I voted like a responsible U.S. citizen.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Read between the lines... I am a 'grown-up' now. I figured out the absentee voter form <u>all by myself</u>, and I even found some time to research the candidates/issues on my ballot, even though I was tempted to flip a coin at times. (I mean... choose 3 of 7 candidates for Parker town council? I'm sure they're all lovely people...) Oh, and hell YES to the GMO labelling initiative! </i></blockquote>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMSnkb5sJx_QDKA-ONEhe-0DQKgD2Cbnx6wjN0aPykarJZrS53kIQeeHMRR00BOZlrsI_4ES6o6GL1jJ72AZoMjXR6LCUlLtSWOiZVJBRC7EyxVsMvZyCYFiUdiRx45T_0el_9Ry2V_YO/s1600/P9262351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMSnkb5sJx_QDKA-ONEhe-0DQKgD2Cbnx6wjN0aPykarJZrS53kIQeeHMRR00BOZlrsI_4ES6o6GL1jJ72AZoMjXR6LCUlLtSWOiZVJBRC7EyxVsMvZyCYFiUdiRx45T_0el_9Ry2V_YO/s1600/P9262351.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colourful letter from my friend Genna<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
3. I got more mail!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPSrmzFlNCyFmaS6gNsIuML34cpdbsDChmS2TYzPJrMBadjEuXZiytQppwHqUIDFTLYsDKu7lqWYa72dtOi0oBgOxpppo6PwYNeKjrEc_T2we8snxrigJg2FvNLVQaU_iGc6DWT7zPB4H/s1600/P9262350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPSrmzFlNCyFmaS6gNsIuML34cpdbsDChmS2TYzPJrMBadjEuXZiytQppwHqUIDFTLYsDKu7lqWYa72dtOi0oBgOxpppo6PwYNeKjrEc_T2we8snxrigJg2FvNLVQaU_iGc6DWT7zPB4H/s1600/P9262350.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Postcard from my Godparents and Hannah</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Times; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: auto; padding: 6px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9xC-Oy8hXzWXWWIipb4R6lEXh5RsimZ-hnp8aJJ3M_v9jp399YPJ9JNjf64ODjO9cl5e_Knfd_nf2M5iFlY-kNwW-X0mKizoluvbZVmN5ShjBHZwKCCMxrwQNL8e9vmDTTXx91UVC-Tp/s1600/IMG_1463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9xC-Oy8hXzWXWWIipb4R6lEXh5RsimZ-hnp8aJJ3M_v9jp399YPJ9JNjf64ODjO9cl5e_Knfd_nf2M5iFlY-kNwW-X0mKizoluvbZVmN5ShjBHZwKCCMxrwQNL8e9vmDTTXx91UVC-Tp/s1600/IMG_1463.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Lovely handwritten letter from Dani's mom, Monique <3</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Read between the lines... My family/friends make me feel so loved!! <3 Thank you for adding to the sunshine in my life.</i> </blockquote>
4. I took a break from my responsible, grown-up life to have a much-needed colouring date with myself.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYy0Gw6vS1WfmQHl8rukr3leHUeISoN5ovIK_DaTiwBzjEQCQzBTtkp4Of0an1E4v0g5rD3i3Dh8P_J6hfSGqsBqSNedmVPwqrDypIPWT-M17aktlm84D9SUvrkxxLRXKUnavuoAcDXHzL/s1600/P9262354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYy0Gw6vS1WfmQHl8rukr3leHUeISoN5ovIK_DaTiwBzjEQCQzBTtkp4Of0an1E4v0g5rD3i3Dh8P_J6hfSGqsBqSNedmVPwqrDypIPWT-M17aktlm84D9SUvrkxxLRXKUnavuoAcDXHzL/s1600/P9262354.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDdEtzmbBrnsPixpTaOeEU8BORe-qpEyeTamGjIgNG52K_exc-gEfVg7cv4H0dlHKh54tZ4OK6S8W7rH3O_n0D97oaWJO0nb8CVaiKcbQylTmqrWwEeuSDuaE9HGv92cT1uthRtCzktes/s1600/P9262353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDdEtzmbBrnsPixpTaOeEU8BORe-qpEyeTamGjIgNG52K_exc-gEfVg7cv4H0dlHKh54tZ4OK6S8W7rH3O_n0D97oaWJO0nb8CVaiKcbQylTmqrWwEeuSDuaE9HGv92cT1uthRtCzktes/s1600/P9262353.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>Read between the lines... Who are we kidding? I'll never grow up... Thank you to Genna for mailing me the pictures and to Ryan for lending me the coloured pencils!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
5. I also took a little day trip to Quarantine Island, which is the largest island in the Otago harbour.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Read between the lines... I HAVE PICTURES! </i></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9m-jwG1KoiRwCNpAMGBpoS9EFHCLaPHmN6fNkU6O0YVWozvasTCfV9dqbjB5fvIyXXjXi9k6LbNZyQ_fOJAI6RMO1FMriKAe7zJF8w_xP3snljfpkcrAew_PvPmHiDPnCSRWOH3mdOCq/s1600/P9252235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9m-jwG1KoiRwCNpAMGBpoS9EFHCLaPHmN6fNkU6O0YVWozvasTCfV9dqbjB5fvIyXXjXi9k6LbNZyQ_fOJAI6RMO1FMriKAe7zJF8w_xP3snljfpkcrAew_PvPmHiDPnCSRWOH3mdOCq/s1600/P9252235.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkjqH34Wvau-CQ0zqZ0UsvY6kJw6L65-CZXEAD8ti4vQLav06xpMmM56LJaSpIV3i6_Gzxrll8ePoQZaiIGQCyvyENb6q-qwL0UzhrrE1P50q4p0njppumhAx0e9WO6LKEwNaLtuFgsBI/s1600/P9252257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkjqH34Wvau-CQ0zqZ0UsvY6kJw6L65-CZXEAD8ti4vQLav06xpMmM56LJaSpIV3i6_Gzxrll8ePoQZaiIGQCyvyENb6q-qwL0UzhrrE1P50q4p0njppumhAx0e9WO6LKEwNaLtuFgsBI/s1600/P9252257.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwWnhgoJlMrsGNTGkkDPknSGkCSYxs_Ai3yMpnZAjA8Z1YxOTen0kN4ZMlWuWX6rZ2O-d6oOymAt-RG2FALq5-mZFGT3kOrkddsZxeEcwBQ7s87fgTa4Vy7-4-M1kzsjudOmFIwHAx1Ho/s1600/P9252339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwWnhgoJlMrsGNTGkkDPknSGkCSYxs_Ai3yMpnZAjA8Z1YxOTen0kN4ZMlWuWX6rZ2O-d6oOymAt-RG2FALq5-mZFGT3kOrkddsZxeEcwBQ7s87fgTa4Vy7-4-M1kzsjudOmFIwHAx1Ho/s1600/P9252339.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map of the little island </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNAmF3FJjxGsKaaJoj9BrOAB5PquXKIELTnfH6PeryBjfHWpgyQTzyAvhBuC_nsUBUMBgy6BaXn9oFABzqONxq1x7Nq6sY-Tr6UtKg8b_UwpAkkseOYvFCE2viZSCWTUwgY8aSGoPmwYB/s1600/P9252246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNAmF3FJjxGsKaaJoj9BrOAB5PquXKIELTnfH6PeryBjfHWpgyQTzyAvhBuC_nsUBUMBgy6BaXn9oFABzqONxq1x7Nq6sY-Tr6UtKg8b_UwpAkkseOYvFCE2viZSCWTUwgY8aSGoPmwYB/s1600/P9252246.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool wrecked ship from the 1800s...or something.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwj8dU6wdMqnBL_9LqxJ7vlv3Q_w_iAmIoopWN7J0O9WAepwgSD0xRTBbJzYu1ok-1uJy1fGdp2wcDvWLgMYbE3oaySlPipZ8M1SSJVSbk12AwUn19drNPQpNemzQy8ezaP2PHPjjnvHK1/s1600/P9252262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwj8dU6wdMqnBL_9LqxJ7vlv3Q_w_iAmIoopWN7J0O9WAepwgSD0xRTBbJzYu1ok-1uJy1fGdp2wcDvWLgMYbE3oaySlPipZ8M1SSJVSbk12AwUn19drNPQpNemzQy8ezaP2PHPjjnvHK1/s1600/P9252262.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is <i>always</i> a playground to find!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDzzDmYjhtsQzCsus42pwD9-pkmG2CO2e5sPk01bTkooakiUlDjpJelzJ112KmD6HfevF912MwYPPMQH_jcliDFK6ePfC2ifgTcWaWKjQrWUEP-fVFWwuSOkG9DMu20DBkr-Q89Vof7eV/s1600/P9252322.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDzzDmYjhtsQzCsus42pwD9-pkmG2CO2e5sPk01bTkooakiUlDjpJelzJ112KmD6HfevF912MwYPPMQH_jcliDFK6ePfC2ifgTcWaWKjQrWUEP-fVFWwuSOkG9DMu20DBkr-Q89Vof7eV/s1600/P9252322.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6UdLfZVThTWg9QNWnemotmKIGbWmagt3owLvnA-KIJonDHTK45yNbYiAGWA-GRk2DuQgpaG7mQubNiT40A3jLXOu6iwi8Lrx4LktL5MmTaSTZIj1q39tFPIKGzMm3J8defGrJM_EyiXZ/s1600/P9252304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6UdLfZVThTWg9QNWnemotmKIGbWmagt3owLvnA-KIJonDHTK45yNbYiAGWA-GRk2DuQgpaG7mQubNiT40A3jLXOu6iwi8Lrx4LktL5MmTaSTZIj1q39tFPIKGzMm3J8defGrJM_EyiXZ/s1600/P9252304.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJUoSvFLNMIL622pFfCjf63I1MY-FxLAuyEqkoJ6VVAQCyXpNzCglY-3vr0GaQpLVGs0EMhiBqUAd9Y5IcAq9FyhB9VuCf9BbwjNIVJ5cxm59nvnAW73Hexeb2oAdPYs6yG_qSeraKNtu/s1600/P9252314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJUoSvFLNMIL622pFfCjf63I1MY-FxLAuyEqkoJ6VVAQCyXpNzCglY-3vr0GaQpLVGs0EMhiBqUAd9Y5IcAq9FyhB9VuCf9BbwjNIVJ5cxm59nvnAW73Hexeb2oAdPYs6yG_qSeraKNtu/s1600/P9252314.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like rocks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRmS2fxfm4utZDupGhwn7WUMh9zMzlc2c7ynqlKWmHacVT-6qZhZBgpFyN0sVlpvFqcjO7Zt7H4HHp8iZg3uTa5x7RX6el5mtYJsuCFqE_eNT8Rq4saif2jwA4Dj3yBemFNtHYoFOOpO3/s1600/P9252321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRmS2fxfm4utZDupGhwn7WUMh9zMzlc2c7ynqlKWmHacVT-6qZhZBgpFyN0sVlpvFqcjO7Zt7H4HHp8iZg3uTa5x7RX6el5mtYJsuCFqE_eNT8Rq4saif2jwA4Dj3yBemFNtHYoFOOpO3/s1600/P9252321.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lying in the grass, watching the clouds. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGbIRBcaU2ft0YI70tA85gXCABGl-xdOMd1Z5TPNWbMNlnwpIpx-0CM9CnsikrvfCSrlr2M7jtKSYdOyukndoGKEASItBv1qh46VL-3UGv_CAyCmaSTZQfFwP1lGThDtowgAoToXDlkhZ/s1600/P9252287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGbIRBcaU2ft0YI70tA85gXCABGl-xdOMd1Z5TPNWbMNlnwpIpx-0CM9CnsikrvfCSrlr2M7jtKSYdOyukndoGKEASItBv1qh46VL-3UGv_CAyCmaSTZQfFwP1lGThDtowgAoToXDlkhZ/s1600/P9252287.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graveyard on the island - not a bad view to find a final resting place, eh?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipd7xL0AQi3OEZUQW4dj5hkOEQ0-HYBMB10qovF2O0AiBZ8tg94ZhIkh8w30P3TNww8v72hxfPfpCDn2pCVbfNA3ff-xRxg-_Ag9egfgkt2zH2hXhDPotd7YhLbbuCiy03KWINQbCPNeuO/s1600/P9252331.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipd7xL0AQi3OEZUQW4dj5hkOEQ0-HYBMB10qovF2O0AiBZ8tg94ZhIkh8w30P3TNww8v72hxfPfpCDn2pCVbfNA3ff-xRxg-_Ag9egfgkt2zH2hXhDPotd7YhLbbuCiy03KWINQbCPNeuO/s1600/P9252331.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAOPjvt5HHmPcLIHfvkBpUSqoWmbeHI_J-UUUpUNYidNAu6PuGzPPVCnydLJa74cB-e8zrK6rC8QT3rJtce1n77Oro8Wtxzg_uPFoma5UPYs2kdND3UWuU29sRKf7OVImPglXN58ffiYQ/s1600/P9252337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAOPjvt5HHmPcLIHfvkBpUSqoWmbeHI_J-UUUpUNYidNAu6PuGzPPVCnydLJa74cB-e8zrK6rC8QT3rJtce1n77Oro8Wtxzg_uPFoma5UPYs2kdND3UWuU29sRKf7OVImPglXN58ffiYQ/s1600/P9252337.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6805OMICtJdp8mZ-v6rtmtemHuXXkzVvLQ6-zqQtcXag_qeRdisP3jOg3fBxtXacolBiJtDoz7ahOKLC3Hbs-wHoz2P-L-jRPL4gB39ZOBye1J_6UWB3mgzGV0SUTmsaQ0yxrbJWPmA_C/s1600/P9252347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6805OMICtJdp8mZ-v6rtmtemHuXXkzVvLQ6-zqQtcXag_qeRdisP3jOg3fBxtXacolBiJtDoz7ahOKLC3Hbs-wHoz2P-L-jRPL4gB39ZOBye1J_6UWB3mgzGV0SUTmsaQ0yxrbJWPmA_C/s1600/P9252347.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="p1">
Considering yesterday marked three months in New Zealand for me, I figured I should commemorate it with a list of some of the common slang and sayings I’ve picked up on. Some Kiwi slang is similar to Australia slang (i.e. keen), and some is more English (i.e. biscuits). These fun, colourful words go along quite well with the New Zealand accent! </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<b>afghan</b> - chocolate flavoured biscuit made from cornflakes</div>
<div class="p1">
<b>brekkie</b> - breakfast </div>
<div class="p1">
<b>boot</b> - car trunk</div>
<div class="p1">
<b>bush</b> - refers to the forests with native trees </div>
<div class="p1">
<b>dairy</b> - corner store, like a small convenience store selling groceries, sweets, dairy items, etc.</div>
<div class="p1">
<b>cheers</b> - good bye, thank you</div>
<div class="p1">
<b>chilly bin</b> - insulated cooler for food</div>
<div class="p1">
<b>Dunners</b> - Dunedin</div>
<div class="p1">
<b>eh</b> - used at the end of sentences sometimes, but with more of an ‘a’ sound</div>
<div class="p1">
<b>fizzy drink</b> - soda</div>
<div class="p1">
<b>fringe</b> - bangs </div>
<div class="p1">
<b>gumboots</b> - rubber boots</div>
<div class="p1">
<b>heaps</b> - a lot of something </div>
<div class="p1">
<b>Hokey Pokey </b>- type of delicious ice cream flavour with honey toffee in it</div>
<div class="p1">
<b>jandals</b> - flip flops</div>
<div class="p1">
<b>jug</b> - kettle </div>
<div class="p1">
<b>kiwifruit</b> - the fruit that is called a kiwi in the US (never, <i>ever</i> call a kiwifruit a kiwi in NZ)</div>
<div class="p1">
<b>keen</b> - to be interested/totally down for something ('I’m keen on that, mate!')</div>
<div class="p1">
<b>kumara</b> - sweet potato </div>
<div class="p1">
<b>lolly</b> - pretty much any sweet or confectionery item</div>
<div class="p1">
<b>muesli</b> - granola (so yum)</div>
<div class="p1">
<b>‘en zed’</b> - how NZ is pronounced, like when giving an Internet URL address ending in .co.nz)</div>
<div class="p1">
<b>op shop</b> - short for ‘opportunity shop,’ which is just a second hand store</div>
<div class="p1">
<b>petrol</b> - gas</div>
<div class="p1">
<b>sammie</b> - sandwich</div>
<div class="p1">
<b>scarfie</b> - university student </div>
<div class="p1">
<b>scrogin</b> - yummy trail mix with nuts, raisins, etc.</div>
<div class="p1">
<b>sweet as </b>- awesome or cool; ‘as’ is also used to intensify other adjectives (i.e. hungry as, keen as)</div>
<div class="p1">
<b>ta</b> - thanks</div>
<div class="p1">
<b>togs</b> - swim suit</div>
<div class="p1">
<b>toilet</b> - restroom, bathroom</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWEYat7NmnqBBminVSMo-J-3BtsUOQpnU6hP-XW8tSQcSRIPdbVjwCDolzILIzGXGGSjo6NufZwS2g4y2rKEruENUyB9isGf93z3So9WsTM17-OZdZ8uy1NqU9F9zCD8WoxwyjhscTTzA/s1600/P9252268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWEYat7NmnqBBminVSMo-J-3BtsUOQpnU6hP-XW8tSQcSRIPdbVjwCDolzILIzGXGGSjo6NufZwS2g4y2rKEruENUyB9isGf93z3So9WsTM17-OZdZ8uy1NqU9F9zCD8WoxwyjhscTTzA/s1600/P9252268.JPG" height="110" width="640" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00063429733366997408noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703160593754561243.post-8982774838209290002014-09-17T16:31:00.003+12:002014-09-17T16:31:34.914+12:00Falling in Love with Aotearoa (Part II)Kia Ora, my readers!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At long last, here is Part II from my spring break trip! I have yet to get the group pictures from my friends (I assume I will get them eventually) but in the meantime, here are some other pictures I can share with you from that trip, as well as some random ones taken the past couple of weeks... </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_MiQpOG12kGs2kwc_kgDPErnFruH27avNjdaE2RBxCxAFT8MpaxFq3hcDGfz6K4mhyQAmW58DH9BxXVnKANYaiQ54wkCdPQX5zQSIhG1FmV25XW2OJSR5WMdnKJFM_rf_cbWjH0Kq8xO/s1600/P8261913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_MiQpOG12kGs2kwc_kgDPErnFruH27avNjdaE2RBxCxAFT8MpaxFq3hcDGfz6K4mhyQAmW58DH9BxXVnKANYaiQ54wkCdPQX5zQSIhG1FmV25XW2OJSR5WMdnKJFM_rf_cbWjH0Kq8xO/s1600/P8261913.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We visited the beautiful Archway Islands, which are at the northermost part of the South Island </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCqhBWAZoIuzJRwdHl3rQGwMThR-JLMr-4tEq2ZQe9oTelF1Y5PA4AxlFr19hATUcthRlvXO9tL0G5NXudYsqimBMvw3kt5e4exVS6MFTGWOoNDCO9KX4N3h5kR3_pHnm13Rl8jGv0qSI/s1600/P8261937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCqhBWAZoIuzJRwdHl3rQGwMThR-JLMr-4tEq2ZQe9oTelF1Y5PA4AxlFr19hATUcthRlvXO9tL0G5NXudYsqimBMvw3kt5e4exVS6MFTGWOoNDCO9KX4N3h5kR3_pHnm13Rl8jGv0qSI/s1600/P8261937.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It looks like I have a hat on! ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCq03dLRA3F46Y-MXrHnTEuhn-O12UdHD08kfU-tDGSA71WEqVe4pJciKF8BsSbtPJi7J1-BSMkktdCBSLPrx1EWX8W4U9V64evBoxuqUym5KgEtYrVJ_5MXUXzJjnOwngEPkB5Ur0hZk/s1600/IMG_1393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCq03dLRA3F46Y-MXrHnTEuhn-O12UdHD08kfU-tDGSA71WEqVe4pJciKF8BsSbtPJi7J1-BSMkktdCBSLPrx1EWX8W4U9V64evBoxuqUym5KgEtYrVJ_5MXUXzJjnOwngEPkB5Ur0hZk/s1600/IMG_1393.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were so proud of this shot. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauFkFm_hh110DhgLTJo1v3OyPl3vDNjp6H-_cuSJyAENQM5z5KYwyhyphenhyphenMvUNWhr3hwttMB-lnvWcWMgrCFdoRmTa606ALYj3TKvk30AbBxMA0ZiY2_IcdlhDhnAAQrkf83vpY6fAa-F28g/s1600/P8282145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauFkFm_hh110DhgLTJo1v3OyPl3vDNjp6H-_cuSJyAENQM5z5KYwyhyphenhyphenMvUNWhr3hwttMB-lnvWcWMgrCFdoRmTa606ALYj3TKvk30AbBxMA0ZiY2_IcdlhDhnAAQrkf83vpY6fAa-F28g/s1600/P8282145.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ran into this fella on the drive back from Nelson! The Kea is the world's only alpine parrot, and a very mischievous bird.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNaUTvK30-9B-1AlqgVo5oKwrvu0D3KEKdjm5PLnYGgnP9HO5w-7e0eo2DfrqrnJUd3rADH0C0g2DT5xU_4lypQAS2Cum0CQdizohtw4u3Zymwq1mHFw_hX-hG6hfGE6MABev2NYRHbdv/s1600/P8292229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNaUTvK30-9B-1AlqgVo5oKwrvu0D3KEKdjm5PLnYGgnP9HO5w-7e0eo2DfrqrnJUd3rADH0C0g2DT5xU_4lypQAS2Cum0CQdizohtw4u3Zymwq1mHFw_hX-hG6hfGE6MABev2NYRHbdv/s1600/P8292229.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gKChQZn2od-IPRzSZUG6p4duY5-Xyw17SWzK5lX5aMqLIPdQUKPhL6uPQTyd5RtCnS7RakK3optic6nYWkY5s5yK3OyIa4HSQFnicqnW-TO-JhyKgFQ2IGIE9O_q-u3BjmhFZZagNgmY/s1600/IMG_1416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gKChQZn2od-IPRzSZUG6p4duY5-Xyw17SWzK5lX5aMqLIPdQUKPhL6uPQTyd5RtCnS7RakK3optic6nYWkY5s5yK3OyIa4HSQFnicqnW-TO-JhyKgFQ2IGIE9O_q-u3BjmhFZZagNgmY/s1600/IMG_1416.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming home from my trip and seeing postcards from my friend Kayla (left) and my Uncle Ron and Aunt Krista (right)! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozztRD9sZW8-5judoJc8EzI1HDFrN7_gcgBFjzMiTGDBakG1150ijJDsG1yBWf_gCjHJUJhMeUGuSv6OrQdr32IrPRpOWhpdB42fT0P5tbRjQLGz6SNbkunkv0FYdbe7dJbwz85_vc7M5/s1600/IMG_1396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozztRD9sZW8-5judoJc8EzI1HDFrN7_gcgBFjzMiTGDBakG1150ijJDsG1yBWf_gCjHJUJhMeUGuSv6OrQdr32IrPRpOWhpdB42fT0P5tbRjQLGz6SNbkunkv0FYdbe7dJbwz85_vc7M5/s1600/IMG_1396.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vegetarian stuffed peppers. I love my life.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_-kiIM7JrzvzxvPCToX2B_1tYWKpWCSecHRNkcYQ-DDeV1J2cmq-wupqndDKDuPZ9xknb1wGQXPDxFmLuqQ0DXWqj9g4I7atgfJNxj5PPX7a9EveNWw9XPplD07f3rJI20vw8VmlYlvW/s1600/IMG_1449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_-kiIM7JrzvzxvPCToX2B_1tYWKpWCSecHRNkcYQ-DDeV1J2cmq-wupqndDKDuPZ9xknb1wGQXPDxFmLuqQ0DXWqj9g4I7atgfJNxj5PPX7a9EveNWw9XPplD07f3rJI20vw8VmlYlvW/s1600/IMG_1449.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's SPRING in Dunedin!! Flowers are blooming everywhere.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5D_08jsjTkkMueII0c3X7-7IDk23boi5cdZSoB65EgMXoClpJJGJDfCPmIrdjiYpxEPGF2xPgAyeavV4mErKGJae0BwMMg3jsmqAGVBfdqJY-hs4SNWv3bb66Gwt_XRoFGmxrWqb9qjv/s1600/IMG_1404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5D_08jsjTkkMueII0c3X7-7IDk23boi5cdZSoB65EgMXoClpJJGJDfCPmIrdjiYpxEPGF2xPgAyeavV4mErKGJae0BwMMg3jsmqAGVBfdqJY-hs4SNWv3bb66Gwt_XRoFGmxrWqb9qjv/s1600/IMG_1404.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-vCdcReVlKZVRuFBLLSfATqvPoFeiP7IY_GjjmjJyt33nf1NAPr1u1uJ52BZX4cugrVVqnzYzmv_H7XWR-Vuq3usaWCbOsKGi_JK5CL6wNF_QA9O4OVj5XfrDrS_ahtBMu_KGri0q5M6/s1600/IMG_1406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-vCdcReVlKZVRuFBLLSfATqvPoFeiP7IY_GjjmjJyt33nf1NAPr1u1uJ52BZX4cugrVVqnzYzmv_H7XWR-Vuq3usaWCbOsKGi_JK5CL6wNF_QA9O4OVj5XfrDrS_ahtBMu_KGri0q5M6/s1600/IMG_1406.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bafW5GfCZ9ndhF-sSAFFb-nxk9LncDa4Mn2EoYu9M-HTYyDE2U3fCChPZb9Ah5X8JlGnYxyFfckL4E2hdF3vVPg0jwQ7csF2_Wq8ku_oN7YbISnJooT1t3Gwu8e3FnCuSmjCstJ_NdZU/s1600/IMG_1426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bafW5GfCZ9ndhF-sSAFFb-nxk9LncDa4Mn2EoYu9M-HTYyDE2U3fCChPZb9Ah5X8JlGnYxyFfckL4E2hdF3vVPg0jwQ7csF2_Wq8ku_oN7YbISnJooT1t3Gwu8e3FnCuSmjCstJ_NdZU/s1600/IMG_1426.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Bone carving classes! My first piece of work.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Also....I have a very special treat to share with you...My friend took videos of our horse trek a couple weekends ago and we pieced them together into this gloriously epic film. So sit back and enjoy!(Video courtesy of Matt Stolfi.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwwvxSdsuBp3XOu14URyxn2LqrHv_w2vW7V-viD1MJpANLU03Fh8wx6AqUlGnWhlOkGzUMyWq-HS3MAF0h7NQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Rest assured I have not forgotten my homeland. On the contrary, I have been thinking about home a lot lately. Maybe it's because I read another web article about the droughts in California. Or because the seasons are changing to fall in the Northern Hemisphere and it occurred to me that I have never 'skipped' autumn before (but hey, at least I get two springs this year!) Oh, not to mention the University of Denver's quarter just started - and I know this because I wake up every morning to a fresh batch of twenty emails from DU to sift through. (This is not entirely an exaggeration. Fellow DU students will understand.) </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But life here is good. "Wherever you go, there you are." I'm still me, struggling with the same defects I deal with back home. Sometimes I get so caught up in what <i>has</i> happened or what <i>will</i> happen that I need to be reminded that, "If you have one foot in the past and one foot in the future, then you're just pissing all over today." So I wake up, eat porridge for breakfast, go to class, spend time with friends, hit the gym. Beauty and joy in the mundane, everyday things of life. One day at a time.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's become less about "falling in love with Aoteaora" and more about falling in love with myself. I built up my life around notions of perfection and used to beat myself up for (inevitable) failure, and now I'm slowly learning what it means to cultivate self-love... If I love God, other people, <i>and </i>myself, then I could be anywhere in the world and be happy. New Zealand just happens to be an extra-awesome place. ;)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So thank you for reading about my crazy adventures - or just my mundane, everyday adventures! I love you all.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00063429733366997408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703160593754561243.post-80195780919639145282014-09-01T17:23:00.002+12:002014-09-01T17:34:20.583+12:00Falling in Love with Aotearoa (Part I)Gooood morning, Dunneeeedinn!!! I am back!! 9 days and 500 photos later.... And, no, that's not an exaggeration - I originally had over 700 photos before I deleted all the crappy ones.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
How do I begin to describe such a fantastic week without giving a detailed hour-by-hour itinerary? Let's start with the blogging list and see where that takes us... </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>What I Experienced, Learned, Adventured, and Laughed About </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>During My Mid-Semester Break</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><i>1. Backpackers (more commonly known as hostels in other countries) are the best! </i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Especially for independent, money-saving travellers, like myself. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I spent NZ$25 a night at this adorable backpacker in Nelson, where I stayed in a room with three bunk beds. Spotless bathrooms, plenty of lounge space, a spacious kitchen to cook meals in, and complimentary fresh bread from the local bakery delivered every morning. There was also an in-house vegetarian café (I mean, really, how could I <i>not </i>be at home here?)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The location was great, too, because it was right next to the "main" street (which, ironically, looks like the main street of almost every other New Zealand city). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHcg2d0o7Z7xufXPpZaTavbqc47PacEJ5K9RnJ9oitaEfKvxSdNFRaEtx6Bbk6Sn14zSjXpUrMvLUEl1KRNn5jYyt3ySLpQ36tyvQc6zUv-0utCZeZ7nFbhgGQky196F_jpxfw8vjN0xB/s1600/P8221575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHcg2d0o7Z7xufXPpZaTavbqc47PacEJ5K9RnJ9oitaEfKvxSdNFRaEtx6Bbk6Sn14zSjXpUrMvLUEl1KRNn5jYyt3ySLpQ36tyvQc6zUv-0utCZeZ7nFbhgGQky196F_jpxfw8vjN0xB/s1600/P8221575.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little home for six nights!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZOIvznawnctRsayr45f0XByU4LzwheKRNO4F26KUXsdNQDGJrByeVq6Jmxx24Et01kEAatVY55YekoIFyPqE2vmY0YuOlNyfDIr-wieP29BUUzmlFpClwhtATHR4ZH1cdr7szpWEATkN/s1600/P8221579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZOIvznawnctRsayr45f0XByU4LzwheKRNO4F26KUXsdNQDGJrByeVq6Jmxx24Et01kEAatVY55YekoIFyPqE2vmY0YuOlNyfDIr-wieP29BUUzmlFpClwhtATHR4ZH1cdr7szpWEATkN/s1600/P8221579.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cathedral right next to my hostel </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTGJupWOIPqq3HO9iREuTCoSjV0BW-K2mWkoiKjF6SGLOcu5qWjfi9zUTdD1LGcmGrZeedUEWmo7s4ZMzXkP0_slD35BP7sRPrtZ42dbwb9ygvfH-JM8NusrL-n6h5fXuTLHBG3GPEphV/s1600/P8221581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTGJupWOIPqq3HO9iREuTCoSjV0BW-K2mWkoiKjF6SGLOcu5qWjfi9zUTdD1LGcmGrZeedUEWmo7s4ZMzXkP0_slD35BP7sRPrtZ42dbwb9ygvfH-JM8NusrL-n6h5fXuTLHBG3GPEphV/s1600/P8221581.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NZ inspired stain glass in the Cathedral</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-fmCLcdxL2cSsk8vmZtfan-MVn3h_P7wk4k5YoDjBWNg8tgD2Z_WyBiIfUK6hNZ3SuKpi2WgXhzdeTd7ftPnTnfkvm0lSxE7bXA0M_fpQI5zF96xC7qaJ11xZj7wuWNlMClcWubzrSW_/s1600/P8221586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-fmCLcdxL2cSsk8vmZtfan-MVn3h_P7wk4k5YoDjBWNg8tgD2Z_WyBiIfUK6hNZ3SuKpi2WgXhzdeTd7ftPnTnfkvm0lSxE7bXA0M_fpQI5zF96xC7qaJ11xZj7wuWNlMClcWubzrSW_/s1600/P8221586.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found this familiar Orthodox icon there! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHO5ZW5teUcZVcjtPsFrVLMONNu3ZtrulFkqi7xt62bJmTBpOOSW83NTn8-yIv8at8Q7ZVFDV4iGuzb2xMM89cTLXFGlUVtbV7XfqerIKkPxa-zpM0Dz_PQ7CdK6xTEr4lGGhVFBhJ958h/s1600/P8221609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfWV06nQXkM-z9MnJ-8RWibwWCyF3iLrbonG7JyoxQllQZDFEVURaU3cVsQOLTTJ_aiXzsaNW-60ZOxpshvl_wV0WB2gCQPHB4tM-rjPP5YOy7FOgtShEJ0YK03RFQhGvG1WoOI1JuYCA/s1600/IMG_1391.jpg" height="320" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best vegetarian burger I have eaten. Ever.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHO5ZW5teUcZVcjtPsFrVLMONNu3ZtrulFkqi7xt62bJmTBpOOSW83NTn8-yIv8at8Q7ZVFDV4iGuzb2xMM89cTLXFGlUVtbV7XfqerIKkPxa-zpM0Dz_PQ7CdK6xTEr4lGGhVFBhJ958h/s1600/P8221609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHO5ZW5teUcZVcjtPsFrVLMONNu3ZtrulFkqi7xt62bJmTBpOOSW83NTn8-yIv8at8Q7ZVFDV4iGuzb2xMM89cTLXFGlUVtbV7XfqerIKkPxa-zpM0Dz_PQ7CdK6xTEr4lGGhVFBhJ958h/s1600/P8221609.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Live music at the cafe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJE3pfeXcpkxVyZbY9DS__2llRmbfqo88pscZ75nlFYaMXC0RqxPneWt8F4Vt1ashAm_KAvEq9fFzgwqzOMH6deXzbskIyNMlFYTbPsXxnajc7SMoZ8sGzruB6J6kcENhhMq_uC0Ss-SW6/s1600/P8221607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJE3pfeXcpkxVyZbY9DS__2llRmbfqo88pscZ75nlFYaMXC0RqxPneWt8F4Vt1ashAm_KAvEq9fFzgwqzOMH6deXzbskIyNMlFYTbPsXxnajc7SMoZ8sGzruB6J6kcENhhMq_uC0Ss-SW6/s1600/P8221607.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first (non-alcoholic) ginger beer - essentially carbonated <br />
water, sugar, and ginger. Sweet and delicious.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><i>2. Three words to describe Nelson: sunny, beachy, and friendly. </i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In Dunedin, student pedestrians are unwanted pests, hideous to behold, and forever in the way of The Almighty Cars and Buses. There is no such thing as pedestrian right-of-way. But in Nelson, drivers actually stop at the stop lights and wait for pedestrians to cross the street. They might even smile, wave, and/or acknowledge the pedestrian's existence!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Also, Nelson really was as sunny and beachy as people have told me. Its residents are mostly empty nesters or retired couples, although there are plenty of young families, too, which makes for a laid-back night life. Nelson is supposedly a great location for second-homes and so it gets quite busy in the summer months with all of the tourists and what not.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIpDwvQfeqdZkgKtVTLtWcBHJvdAvFBEqQyDxoClv2NLDOVnzH5qGHNWrXKwY8Rr6l5Tuba5Ze4IftnSIVND38aeC5q3fkmIfAVfCTH47JpkKIU_nmDkdJCTFRffO39lJsW2tIiLg9Jo2B/s1600/P8221667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIpDwvQfeqdZkgKtVTLtWcBHJvdAvFBEqQyDxoClv2NLDOVnzH5qGHNWrXKwY8Rr6l5Tuba5Ze4IftnSIVND38aeC5q3fkmIfAVfCTH47JpkKIU_nmDkdJCTFRffO39lJsW2tIiLg9Jo2B/s1600/P8221667.JPG" height="404" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lovely view of Nelson. The best part? Beach <i>and </i>mountain views in one beautiful location. Winning combo.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-k2_KCG8kXAT5PHM7l6l7oHyBk-ZvSeC6bdoxDKFXanFcJaw_5L860kHK5r2ZkjuVVTT2CLPWU3ykd2Gm0nIy0DhyphenhyphenofaeL-z9RdlH8T0pDzbz87woKNwDMQ8kA5KeGu1x7sRlKobDMMbN/s1600/P8272020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-k2_KCG8kXAT5PHM7l6l7oHyBk-ZvSeC6bdoxDKFXanFcJaw_5L860kHK5r2ZkjuVVTT2CLPWU3ykd2Gm0nIy0DhyphenhyphenofaeL-z9RdlH8T0pDzbz87woKNwDMQ8kA5KeGu1x7sRlKobDMMbN/s1600/P8272020.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was my lucky shot of the week!!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIC31-0qcvZYMRLTzov7Jr2h-vtMhzU_5B2QdXc55y8YofteJcTIMaIUqrysPpCPpqm67xKrDWLqE7aD7zKeelrkOJeYazuKmmjWkDb0JEA5ulYLvZXXMPkFaSncVp8eBNZST3OPvzRz2/s1600/P8272024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIC31-0qcvZYMRLTzov7Jr2h-vtMhzU_5B2QdXc55y8YofteJcTIMaIUqrysPpCPpqm67xKrDWLqE7aD7zKeelrkOJeYazuKmmjWkDb0JEA5ulYLvZXXMPkFaSncVp8eBNZST3OPvzRz2/s1600/P8272024.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQFiYulh9Z5Xg8j-W85Beqe-77CTXTLj-tpDF4BuEjk9KMYNBqp8ahL5A-7yheGx03q0XJZjAlKactzSVyTtFtK0cbAdUP1tU4SZjdzuxk1a5fA50xbgoyAc4t7Fr2n3FbUD32sP0T1TT/s1600/P8272029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQFiYulh9Z5Xg8j-W85Beqe-77CTXTLj-tpDF4BuEjk9KMYNBqp8ahL5A-7yheGx03q0XJZjAlKactzSVyTtFtK0cbAdUP1tU4SZjdzuxk1a5fA50xbgoyAc4t7Fr2n3FbUD32sP0T1TT/s1600/P8272029.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDW5VW_GccCwbPz-4sUvbWjId32Cv2b0aWoMbWiZAaN3cnq6TCGJc8YEnVgdLUMZ_ciwHC9QxMCCfrn7uG_rL_gCZsTVa3xoG4HiDyiu05-iCnH5EWhNEzSnFpOIt78YIy8lFfmkSDuLe/s1600/P8272045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDW5VW_GccCwbPz-4sUvbWjId32Cv2b0aWoMbWiZAaN3cnq6TCGJc8YEnVgdLUMZ_ciwHC9QxMCCfrn7uG_rL_gCZsTVa3xoG4HiDyiu05-iCnH5EWhNEzSnFpOIt78YIy8lFfmkSDuLe/s1600/P8272045.jpg" height="250" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Happy flowers smiling at the sun</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><i>3. This week was really about me spending time with myself. </i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There was a yoga studio just two streets down from my hostel, so I bought an unlimited week's pass for just $30 and did yoga once or twice a day for the duration of my time in Nelson. It really gave me a chance to slow down, put my body back into balance, and reflect on the past couple of months.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I also wandered around town by myself, like to the Queens Garden, where there were lots of happy flowers, a duck pond, and a cute café. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizod4ZA034L380nV5FnhDyKNDDIoHmgk2UFilkrVnq7p-eQhAFCQ24hVEOiBmgu_aoOlLZL6vXjfDlNSKa_eLJxitmOB4tdUe3OkHR3Z17rsYrgbX6ek4zp6HmSevnqcMwGGs80WDG7zT4/s1600/P8221702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizod4ZA034L380nV5FnhDyKNDDIoHmgk2UFilkrVnq7p-eQhAFCQ24hVEOiBmgu_aoOlLZL6vXjfDlNSKa_eLJxitmOB4tdUe3OkHR3Z17rsYrgbX6ek4zp6HmSevnqcMwGGs80WDG7zT4/s1600/P8221702.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5jTQbXbnp5HrW7LhAbyRA8y1vwssRlk7URXlM2BQPpfukUGXe2DH6rvZSguHTRVczXIFBh_fmcQW1UsJ0oiQNIL-SGHQxRTVS3UdyqizDBgJwAuigB8RWYCsLd5gc8v6UvW0Y1H0j17R/s1600/P8221619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5jTQbXbnp5HrW7LhAbyRA8y1vwssRlk7URXlM2BQPpfukUGXe2DH6rvZSguHTRVczXIFBh_fmcQW1UsJ0oiQNIL-SGHQxRTVS3UdyqizDBgJwAuigB8RWYCsLd5gc8v6UvW0Y1H0j17R/s1600/P8221619.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5jTQbXbnp5HrW7LhAbyRA8y1vwssRlk7URXlM2BQPpfukUGXe2DH6rvZSguHTRVczXIFBh_fmcQW1UsJ0oiQNIL-SGHQxRTVS3UdyqizDBgJwAuigB8RWYCsLd5gc8v6UvW0Y1H0j17R/s1600/P8221619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUWGtRop-1lZWP9TOHcUAA2aIohBfUz1sLF9GBTRMjvlngRJm4ivwj1SC5voUDq931u-v26ELL9Z47XuiKw2cpWN3aUwy03Wn1kKI2j8tehhkatksKp7PRu6JrowiHK0sf6m3-SM7vqOn/s1600/P8221709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HyJKpKZD3Qvkj_8beShnrnvY-oBxde34aLUuI76bYNMeti_bknvz_VeGP-nbJ98AAx45Pd0LxAvB_-CCE6xy9dT6SXSi5XBbSSh4zXh45zfKHOmD6fzt6ZI75K3hP3FZm5T_fEGtJyO4/s1600/P8221615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HyJKpKZD3Qvkj_8beShnrnvY-oBxde34aLUuI76bYNMeti_bknvz_VeGP-nbJ98AAx45Pd0LxAvB_-CCE6xy9dT6SXSi5XBbSSh4zXh45zfKHOmD6fzt6ZI75K3hP3FZm5T_fEGtJyO4/s1600/P8221615.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUWGtRop-1lZWP9TOHcUAA2aIohBfUz1sLF9GBTRMjvlngRJm4ivwj1SC5voUDq931u-v26ELL9Z47XuiKw2cpWN3aUwy03Wn1kKI2j8tehhkatksKp7PRu6JrowiHK0sf6m3-SM7vqOn/s1600/P8221709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUWGtRop-1lZWP9TOHcUAA2aIohBfUz1sLF9GBTRMjvlngRJm4ivwj1SC5voUDq931u-v26ELL9Z47XuiKw2cpWN3aUwy03Wn1kKI2j8tehhkatksKp7PRu6JrowiHK0sf6m3-SM7vqOn/s1600/P8221709.JPG" height="300" width="400" /><span style="clear: left; color: black; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><i>4. It must be spring!!! Baby calves and baby lambs galore!!</i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZD8wzJqjgZWV2mmJoaWbVn_CNIVulfhGMHFQzhN8NexQ9VSxW_p88_ezGbjYLCGmecNSr0KuQtKJY-bAtUVRlyMqfm_kJY0BoEeBF5_8oKzCNcnqffRszn7XYL7uAxJ01Gp4ipLNTik5/s1600/P8221691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZD8wzJqjgZWV2mmJoaWbVn_CNIVulfhGMHFQzhN8NexQ9VSxW_p88_ezGbjYLCGmecNSr0KuQtKJY-bAtUVRlyMqfm_kJY0BoEeBF5_8oKzCNcnqffRszn7XYL7uAxJ01Gp4ipLNTik5/s1600/P8221691.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a>I used to say (and I quote!) "I could never be a vegetarian because I love lamb too much." And then...after I became a vegetarian, but before I came to NZ.... "I'll break my vegetarianism just once while I'm there - I have to! They're known for their sheep!"<br />
<br />
But New Zealand softened me more than I was expecting... Just look at those sheepies!! I can't do it. Even if I were starving in the wilderness and my life depended on killing and eating a rabbit or something, I'm not sure I could do it... Sorry, dad. I've become too damn soft.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZD8wzJqjgZWV2mmJoaWbVn_CNIVulfhGMHFQzhN8NexQ9VSxW_p88_ezGbjYLCGmecNSr0KuQtKJY-bAtUVRlyMqfm_kJY0BoEeBF5_8oKzCNcnqffRszn7XYL7uAxJ01Gp4ipLNTik5/s1600/P8221691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwvT-bnx2KmEFSQyMCcysOKaOUHIfSAd2cQhQYwJvnOeL7I6GiMje4-bP8elB0V85z2acNL1wVh7-sfZEgfVkJvbNQB-WB2IqpePrWnF3SDrJm71lAJkf1FGWxBB_m2AJ3MMzEqqQNltX/s1600/P8251842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwvT-bnx2KmEFSQyMCcysOKaOUHIfSAd2cQhQYwJvnOeL7I6GiMje4-bP8elB0V85z2acNL1wVh7-sfZEgfVkJvbNQB-WB2IqpePrWnF3SDrJm71lAJkf1FGWxBB_m2AJ3MMzEqqQNltX/s1600/P8251842.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><i>5. One does not experience the power and majesty of this landscape without leaving unchanged.</i></b></div>
<br />
My favourite part of break was when I tramped around Nelson Lakes National Park for a day. It was something I wanted to do by myself, so I picked out a couple trails appropriate for my fitness level and set out to explore (with lots of snacks, of course).<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRNEKGVp1rB3gIXcVqjJN0b9dLys3U7MKeQ3Mq4c3GsQoMPTqpafOCcrg0H4Izulb4iNAwPOPu81ahUG0jiVPN8f9DkdihkGYIpY-SkaUcl18mlRQV-ihXwdiPvMa6aQvK9g6H1xVvlwe/s1600/P8231739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRNEKGVp1rB3gIXcVqjJN0b9dLys3U7MKeQ3Mq4c3GsQoMPTqpafOCcrg0H4Izulb4iNAwPOPu81ahUG0jiVPN8f9DkdihkGYIpY-SkaUcl18mlRQV-ihXwdiPvMa6aQvK9g6H1xVvlwe/s1600/P8231739.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Rotoiti at Nelson Lakes National Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
It was so quiet and peaceful. If I had to choose a moment from my time here in which I felt changed in some way, it would be sitting at the top of the parachute rocks, looking across this beautiful lake and the surrounding mountain range, and feeling like I found myself.<br />
<br />
I know that sounds incredibly cheesy and like something that would be used in a tourism marketing campaign, but I don't know... there's just something about this place. My pictures don't do it justice. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUYiejQzew061w0DfKw6XwBhTTQ1D3jtVlrAHdv7Oyf3bUU5LUpvjJQC-3ri-enzweEqMoXVU46M45vcgB8JGATCyS7WCbYp9pchK-t8AncD1eNGI6IomFkFcEbfeuSHEWH2V22L048sBv/s1600/P8231753.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No filters/enhances needed for these photos - it really was so blue and clear that day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrOWa-HFMcDVVPyssLAABf8bndfKE4EGnlLoTHjjoejSrEgr8CdPhT4LgMJkGoCuRbuAJ2i0pw7dyjIGhGH9CmYRBBzNN3EOesOJPGzb6Uoy4T7bx4xUZy_W8JSwi662X26jMXt-B4Q46/s1600/P8231760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="clear: left; color: black; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrOWa-HFMcDVVPyssLAABf8bndfKE4EGnlLoTHjjoejSrEgr8CdPhT4LgMJkGoCuRbuAJ2i0pw7dyjIGhGH9CmYRBBzNN3EOesOJPGzb6Uoy4T7bx4xUZy_W8JSwi662X26jMXt-B4Q46/s1600/P8231760.JPG" height="149" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4nGRPoT4flZ3jgTVK7Ejk6EfjXxHPL6SwW3zEXXn9-hhyphenhyphenbVSbBWwSw1wIyDb1-_aWwPgLcqdUP-1ulvD3YU_S4cXDPoELMTIPgftuGVK9vML1LzRCvVwaXIwD4qoCEPUq_N-rX3O1Y0jW/s1600/P8241764.JPG" height="362" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b><i>6. Driving along scenic routes is a great way to see New Zealand.</i></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Most of these following pictures I snapped while we were driving, so it's amazing some of them turned out as nice as they did. (Admittedly it was a lot of trial and error. Blurry trees often got in the way.)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjex6njJ_UQHfh9OmtZ7VLfSPz7ysQ5oGDndOk0zPaV0tKfpA0J7S2b36AjUtAVmrF0ucD9BqT2SWAougvSATp3raOYRawRl2AAK9_rByUM8fp-CPMxQlgnaHDUgqddWapVjMm2nlLoUe7i/s1600/P8282097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjex6njJ_UQHfh9OmtZ7VLfSPz7ysQ5oGDndOk0zPaV0tKfpA0J7S2b36AjUtAVmrF0ucD9BqT2SWAougvSATp3raOYRawRl2AAK9_rByUM8fp-CPMxQlgnaHDUgqddWapVjMm2nlLoUe7i/s1600/P8282097.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">West coast beach sunset. (No filter on this photo either.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoHfyNbz9hS8T5cYsg7sMDtuA5Sz5QcrY5AIr9PQ4ggTG3lLa2KwJ5iJvSyVfPYbvVx4kV2ehFKRo75wJoWlPds3g0OJNJpmdudDsphBzerruUnxyP2K1OqAyne7mZ_fq8ISQZUim9dWGx/s1600/P8211566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoHfyNbz9hS8T5cYsg7sMDtuA5Sz5QcrY5AIr9PQ4ggTG3lLa2KwJ5iJvSyVfPYbvVx4kV2ehFKRo75wJoWlPds3g0OJNJpmdudDsphBzerruUnxyP2K1OqAyne7mZ_fq8ISQZUim9dWGx/s1600/P8211566.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sheep have no idea how lucky they are. This is as close to heaven as it gets for them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIUQKbttdkykJzwioqALI75AW_gxUGWzbQyeoYvcX3tQLfUxmLRVtOJU3fY1p7LY4OkWspU6iZ4q6T7RFmorKcrNJAR-iqRzdnSavBX75pQxTKeBleDJLGxBVe8FeLN729mDRhrtrrXIj/s1600/P8282179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIUQKbttdkykJzwioqALI75AW_gxUGWzbQyeoYvcX3tQLfUxmLRVtOJU3fY1p7LY4OkWspU6iZ4q6T7RFmorKcrNJAR-iqRzdnSavBX75pQxTKeBleDJLGxBVe8FeLN729mDRhrtrrXIj/s1600/P8282179.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More scenery that looks like it came straight from Lord of the Rings </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAVQPpNEmnDZEvwo_4uDo04gscFIxggzfslTg2f0AtuUPzAD8thqr_5PuUdeGSemPOxEEzrSalkB-pekrqYCuDXz9qFUguE-E_I6a7Q5blqhzMC2Vh00ZdwKQO2z6HgUQAhfsVAXHpL6Y/s1600/P8282170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAVQPpNEmnDZEvwo_4uDo04gscFIxggzfslTg2f0AtuUPzAD8thqr_5PuUdeGSemPOxEEzrSalkB-pekrqYCuDXz9qFUguE-E_I6a7Q5blqhzMC2Vh00ZdwKQO2z6HgUQAhfsVAXHpL6Y/s1600/P8282170.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of one of the routes we were driving on. Paused at a scenic lookout point here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuUmC-MGAhHCvqsddAsfifdfuFtpxKyPSUTfSHeW6KchG0qDb4bifq5hA9yZ-I0-TWnc5CLPQBkUStiF08Yc-lHzzwHp29JHuiXtopN3V_PW9yiWMQf3i5LfFaCIyLnfWBtwuFLzOwAc6/s1600/P8282192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuUmC-MGAhHCvqsddAsfifdfuFtpxKyPSUTfSHeW6KchG0qDb4bifq5hA9yZ-I0-TWnc5CLPQBkUStiF08Yc-lHzzwHp29JHuiXtopN3V_PW9yiWMQf3i5LfFaCIyLnfWBtwuFLzOwAc6/s1600/P8282192.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I loved these mountains, with all their shades of greys and browns. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhimNdX0hYnxt8wchGNAf8dNSv7qKFtlp3YqbDBL6q0a2mKt84zl5x3RWJ8bgsU_G8qq_kw9sMLX2Y6FfyEANXcQdeqnrOhPnCK_K_RxXDOgpG5sTDaQzQq_iRuLYbjJjV_RAx-ateSMpc/s1600/P8282211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhimNdX0hYnxt8wchGNAf8dNSv7qKFtlp3YqbDBL6q0a2mKt84zl5x3RWJ8bgsU_G8qq_kw9sMLX2Y6FfyEANXcQdeqnrOhPnCK_K_RxXDOgpG5sTDaQzQq_iRuLYbjJjV_RAx-ateSMpc/s1600/P8282211.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okay...can you tell I'm addicted to this landscape yet? I'll stop now.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So this was just Part I of my mid-semester break installment. I think I'll do Part II later this week, after I have gotten some pictures from my friends.<br />
<br />
(On Tuesday it turned out some of my complex-mates were staying at the same backpacker I was at, so instead of driving back with Georgia as planned I extended my trip a couple of days and came back with them later. We took some fun group pictures so I'll be sure to share those!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Here's a big thank you to all those that love and support me. Sending thoughts and prayers your way.<br />
<br />
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUWGtRop-1lZWP9TOHcUAA2aIohBfUz1sLF9GBTRMjvlngRJm4ivwj1SC5voUDq931u-v26ELL9Z47XuiKw2cpWN3aUwy03Wn1kKI2j8tehhkatksKp7PRu6JrowiHK0sf6m3-SM7vqOn/s1600/P8221709.JPG" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUWGtRop-1lZWP9TOHcUAA2aIohBfUz1sLF9GBTRMjvlngRJm4ivwj1SC5voUDq931u-v26ELL9Z47XuiKw2cpWN3aUwy03Wn1kKI2j8tehhkatksKp7PRu6JrowiHK0sf6m3-SM7vqOn/s1600/P8221709.JPG" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-WlXS0YRlAq4%2FVAPe03ljh8I%2FAAAAAAAAAfc%2F-kdbzjzv878%2Fs1600%2FP8221709.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVUWGtRop-1lZWP9TOHcUAA2aIohBfUz1sLF9GBTRMjvlngRJm4ivwj1SC5voUDq931u-v26ELL9Z47XuiKw2cpWN3aUwy03Wn1kKI2j8tehhkatksKp7PRu6JrowiHK0sf6m3-SM7vqOn/s1600/P8221709.JPG" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-w_jyASJK7pk%2FVAPejqJkbOI%2FAAAAAAAAAeo%2F6nvYXfa8HIY%2Fs1600%2FP8221615.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HyJKpKZD3Qvkj_8beShnrnvY-oBxde34aLUuI76bYNMeti_bknvz_VeGP-nbJ98AAx45Pd0LxAvB_-CCE6xy9dT6SXSi5XBbSSh4zXh45zfKHOmD6fzt6ZI75K3hP3FZm5T_fEGtJyO4/s1600/P8221615.JPG" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5jTQbXbnp5HrW7LhAbyRA8y1vwssRlk7URXlM2BQPpfukUGXe2DH6rvZSguHTRVczXIFBh_fmcQW1UsJ0oiQNIL-SGHQxRTVS3UdyqizDBgJwAuigB8RWYCsLd5gc8v6UvW0Y1H0j17R/s1600/P8221619.jpg" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5jTQbXbnp5HrW7LhAbyRA8y1vwssRlk7URXlM2BQPpfukUGXe2DH6rvZSguHTRVczXIFBh_fmcQW1UsJ0oiQNIL-SGHQxRTVS3UdyqizDBgJwAuigB8RWYCsLd5gc8v6UvW0Y1H0j17R/s1600/P8221619.jpg" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZD8wzJqjgZWV2mmJoaWbVn_CNIVulfhGMHFQzhN8NexQ9VSxW_p88_ezGbjYLCGmecNSr0KuQtKJY-bAtUVRlyMqfm_kJY0BoEeBF5_8oKzCNcnqffRszn7XYL7uAxJ01Gp4ipLNTik5/s1600/P8221691.JPG" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZD8wzJqjgZWV2mmJoaWbVn_CNIVulfhGMHFQzhN8NexQ9VSxW_p88_ezGbjYLCGmecNSr0KuQtKJY-bAtUVRlyMqfm_kJY0BoEeBF5_8oKzCNcnqffRszn7XYL7uAxJ01Gp4ipLNTik5/s1600/P8221691.JPG" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-9EdVJObGenQ%2FVAPeuXNFpmI%2FAAAAAAAAAe8%2FK-upULFUwss%2Fs1600%2FP8221691.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZD8wzJqjgZWV2mmJoaWbVn_CNIVulfhGMHFQzhN8NexQ9VSxW_p88_ezGbjYLCGmecNSr0KuQtKJY-bAtUVRlyMqfm_kJY0BoEeBF5_8oKzCNcnqffRszn7XYL7uAxJ01Gp4ipLNTik5/s1600/P8221691.JPG" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HyJKpKZD3Qvkj_8beShnrnvY-oBxde34aLUuI76bYNMeti_bknvz_VeGP-nbJ98AAx45Pd0LxAvB_-CCE6xy9dT6SXSi5XBbSSh4zXh45zfKHOmD6fzt6ZI75K3hP3FZm5T_fEGtJyO4/s1600/P8221615.JPG" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HyJKpKZD3Qvkj_8beShnrnvY-oBxde34aLUuI76bYNMeti_bknvz_VeGP-nbJ98AAx45Pd0LxAvB_-CCE6xy9dT6SXSi5XBbSSh4zXh45zfKHOmD6fzt6ZI75K3hP3FZm5T_fEGtJyO4/s1600/P8221615.JPG" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-cOGgHOik5WY%2FVAPejCv_tsI%2FAAAAAAAAAek%2FuN-s2pL7cq0%2Fs1600%2FP8221619.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5jTQbXbnp5HrW7LhAbyRA8y1vwssRlk7URXlM2BQPpfukUGXe2DH6rvZSguHTRVczXIFBh_fmcQW1UsJ0oiQNIL-SGHQxRTVS3UdyqizDBgJwAuigB8RWYCsLd5gc8v6UvW0Y1H0j17R/s1600/P8221619.jpg" -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00063429733366997408noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703160593754561243.post-24439020228257638302014-08-21T12:08:00.003+12:002014-08-21T12:19:06.573+12:00Sunny-Side Up<div style="text-align: justify;">
Kia Ora, my faithful readers! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Believe it or not, I have just reached the halfway point of my semester at the University of Otago. (What?! Time doesn't just fly--it moves at freaking warp nine speed.) Tomorrow I leave for Nelson (a sunny city at the very top of the South Island) with my Kiwihost Georgia for mid-semester break! I'll be staying in a backpacker/hostel near the city centre, and since the weather should be nice-ish, I'll get to explore the city, visit some beaches, and try out the local hiking. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I won't have my computer with me, so I will post a blog update sometime next weekend! With pictures! Before I leave, however, here are some Random Abreana Notes from the past weeks...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
1. I GOT TO RIDE MY FIRST HORSE! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Isn't she pretty?? Her name is Shannon. She's an Irish sport horse, very gentle, and takes a rubber bit. Her favourite thing is to run on the beach; she also loves jumping! (Obviously this was Day 1 for me, so we just walked around the hills for a bit...) We rode English style, which means the saddle doesn't have a horn like it does in Western style riding. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div>
And I absolutely loved it. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbaLtrg-4h3yr8k-MtUTxI74XvO2cxFievomAR7EhBqi6G28-CSquGv7-DSki7wRviNr9J8v-aS67WraMhjRkA2n2ZcQJX4nJSyRLk63fQMNPKKUYPToC6QdXviHw_b8cSG7yCDGBUAr3/s1600/P8151477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbaLtrg-4h3yr8k-MtUTxI74XvO2cxFievomAR7EhBqi6G28-CSquGv7-DSki7wRviNr9J8v-aS67WraMhjRkA2n2ZcQJX4nJSyRLk63fQMNPKKUYPToC6QdXviHw_b8cSG7yCDGBUAr3/s1600/P8151477.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
2. My body is adapting to-- and enjoying!-- the Dunedin weather.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OB_WpjaB-vfUlruNmb4OdYrF_C6wcot17Xf8WFBHWGacZCW473fWUAYibDydRkXJxyYzgNd1WM3iQkNpU8VdD-rlOb7Qm_ucZOXkYP1O2sfV9nmDRC5hIcYDrCCqLzlpeRnbtWcbIxQP/s1600/P8121433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OB_WpjaB-vfUlruNmb4OdYrF_C6wcot17Xf8WFBHWGacZCW473fWUAYibDydRkXJxyYzgNd1WM3iQkNpU8VdD-rlOb7Qm_ucZOXkYP1O2sfV9nmDRC5hIcYDrCCqLzlpeRnbtWcbIxQP/s1600/P8121433.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Isn't it a bit cold, eh?" asked a guy from park maintenance. I was at a playground (on the swings, of course), and it was cloudy and drizzling rain. </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Nah, it's nice!" I responded. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Since when did I start adapting to this weather??</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Swinging in the rain happened sometime last week. Then this morning I woke up to another cold/cloudy/rainy day (after a few consecutive days of sunshine) and I was actually excited about it. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It means I get to wear my blue fuzzy hat!! It also means my porridge and hot tea taste even <i>better</i>. Man, I'm such a complicated person. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
3. Flowers are blooming! Spring must be arriving!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFVBewXubmCpelNXgi9pv-kkaFGF2erJSSxlMOF_Qei4ChQZQnckG1_x2KsAzDbRAXlahP_SyCqwm7NN6RacHjnZxtofuX6T-qAhnzksV6s-3WluTEzm-BJDf2M-Ynm7tplXvMpAlMxRm/s1600/P8171486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFVBewXubmCpelNXgi9pv-kkaFGF2erJSSxlMOF_Qei4ChQZQnckG1_x2KsAzDbRAXlahP_SyCqwm7NN6RacHjnZxtofuX6T-qAhnzksV6s-3WluTEzm-BJDf2M-Ynm7tplXvMpAlMxRm/s1600/P8171486.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9Swx-NjxYrJgGMu5rdamT7Xa9BsgmGTuJ6m_PWo4ygMU20AM6kzg9NqZp2-d_MFfdsUGLcj46AewU47ivuPWg3LQbfbd4FhZX17txjnhZ2D-78RT6yVx3iUy-uV7Ehwj393_VgUmXuZz/s1600/P8121435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9Swx-NjxYrJgGMu5rdamT7Xa9BsgmGTuJ6m_PWo4ygMU20AM6kzg9NqZp2-d_MFfdsUGLcj46AewU47ivuPWg3LQbfbd4FhZX17txjnhZ2D-78RT6yVx3iUy-uV7Ehwj393_VgUmXuZz/s1600/P8121435.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
4. "You've Got Mail!" </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This is from my dear friend Maddie. :) <span style="text-align: justify;">I loved the Monet painting on the cover of the card...and the stamp was a Global Forever stamp, which I didn't even know existed! How fun!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhTWoj3zZhe1Duq4zX3UJ0NCuIXRryYjBtbOy96HSurh_rHH1C5TM-JQG1uBjpR-5xgRGJAZLbbXyz1eek2Ufz8JN8FSkeD4TC9yti_3RvlBcuNoGJshyphenhyphen7I9X_7PaPbnJFqRMubm2VBm4/s1600/P8151483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhTWoj3zZhe1Duq4zX3UJ0NCuIXRryYjBtbOy96HSurh_rHH1C5TM-JQG1uBjpR-5xgRGJAZLbbXyz1eek2Ufz8JN8FSkeD4TC9yti_3RvlBcuNoGJshyphenhyphen7I9X_7PaPbnJFqRMubm2VBm4/s1600/P8151483.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
5. Apparently I like to hang out by myself and take pictures.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I wandered around the Botanic Gardens the other day (the same place where I got to feed the ducks and pigeons!) I came across a tree that is supposedly older than Dunedin itself. I also found a sunny-side up egg on the side of some building, as well as a silver fern on the floor of the native bush forest. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXA35R1nlqhGKF8pGSgOCsQ2DYQ4J-iqmk32PABgXyJUtAiO72hV80xW1XZGFCkneHsL2bcqnQ1ZCqJJc38EYgBxJ-IEw2ATihwSyNzyfsjzBmRB1LUzwO7VSkX3ZVDfKRP9Pna3xz9rI/s1600/P8171491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXA35R1nlqhGKF8pGSgOCsQ2DYQ4J-iqmk32PABgXyJUtAiO72hV80xW1XZGFCkneHsL2bcqnQ1ZCqJJc38EYgBxJ-IEw2ATihwSyNzyfsjzBmRB1LUzwO7VSkX3ZVDfKRP9Pna3xz9rI/s1600/P8171491.JPG" height="480" width="640" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfB1JEvelwI6-8Ddscv1Y17wiGayFqN_QnmUAy_Dkq6vKXEP-tWs8MaLmoKwsez_eWOXS8Iv01Q2olZYCAlZwsbBIgj2I9mNocJ_E4cYnTf_wP0IDEJQMWKJDAkLrAhWUIEgwfil5wfjRb/s1600/P8171498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfB1JEvelwI6-8Ddscv1Y17wiGayFqN_QnmUAy_Dkq6vKXEP-tWs8MaLmoKwsez_eWOXS8Iv01Q2olZYCAlZwsbBIgj2I9mNocJ_E4cYnTf_wP0IDEJQMWKJDAkLrAhWUIEgwfil5wfjRb/s1600/P8171498.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCojUUicJwR-SjRHng93HQnk5LZYl31v-c7oyAs5GQHHtzGE6TrlmaNUQsooJlQjudNfBYhFFJwugH7pH5BfMJxJKuHMjvCfXkKmGWXNI_s9Awopj6fnuL3VmVvJQxZnel2YZVyrertmlB/s1600/P8171507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCojUUicJwR-SjRHng93HQnk5LZYl31v-c7oyAs5GQHHtzGE6TrlmaNUQsooJlQjudNfBYhFFJwugH7pH5BfMJxJKuHMjvCfXkKmGWXNI_s9Awopj6fnuL3VmVvJQxZnel2YZVyrertmlB/s1600/P8171507.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
Next up... my mid-semester break adventures in Nelson!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00063429733366997408noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703160593754561243.post-18826460105296135912014-08-15T15:50:00.003+12:002014-08-21T12:22:05.801+12:00Home at 2a Forth StreetI live at the end of a rainbow.<br />
<br />
And no, I'm not joking. Forth Street is literally at the end of a string of rainbow-coloured apartment doors. Technically speaking, Forth Street is at the <i>beginning </i>of the rainbow because that's where the colours start (i.e. purple/red), but that's just an insignificant detail.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAvDljrj6sCWEK-LfbUE9na2jQ32o9Ms_fXfSyefLXv25U1wr5rJhI2czAq9rGj5xSQhrKzHvXIA3z921qr18yOyPjNWRZF9PtSL8rOk0sWZX3p2tktl3HSVHA3z1nCfNh68zpBJ2vk7a/s1600/P8121444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAvDljrj6sCWEK-LfbUE9na2jQ32o9Ms_fXfSyefLXv25U1wr5rJhI2czAq9rGj5xSQhrKzHvXIA3z921qr18yOyPjNWRZF9PtSL8rOk0sWZX3p2tktl3HSVHA3z1nCfNh68zpBJ2vk7a/s1600/P8121444.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwbWcqqi2rPT43XYCVg0vehVA5ijM9DjJFcCDf_NPTQHeFE-VXEueskjNT6s6mHxpNlV5ZfxIlDSFuKk7YpOKsfSPzm_7CzFt9DiPmZIYynm1VogeWuCN2mBdZr62CWOebfVHVWpasiLi/s1600/P8121443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwbWcqqi2rPT43XYCVg0vehVA5ijM9DjJFcCDf_NPTQHeFE-VXEueskjNT6s6mHxpNlV5ZfxIlDSFuKk7YpOKsfSPzm_7CzFt9DiPmZIYynm1VogeWuCN2mBdZr62CWOebfVHVWpasiLi/s1600/P8121443.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_2b6ZtzH853HdGfOqkoU_fomuloIJt-HzNvPPACwyWeuXNUXBVe4StXChcxbA-Mch2OU_iY6NTxvS8yA_dePVSf8dz26T_3zCx1KM_-jLPGxfKjKIFwEmn-nan4MZTFdwnBosDLUgZCTn/s1600/P8121442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_2b6ZtzH853HdGfOqkoU_fomuloIJt-HzNvPPACwyWeuXNUXBVe4StXChcxbA-Mch2OU_iY6NTxvS8yA_dePVSf8dz26T_3zCx1KM_-jLPGxfKjKIFwEmn-nan4MZTFdwnBosDLUgZCTn/s1600/P8121442.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjS8GfU4N-zyiYo1WfxNElFuj_nQcI3IMku8SKhEmmDgBsaDG3_Dc2q0cjrbhnNeqq8dbx49YsLt5HnOns-knskIRTofAMwQoJeOggJEXZmxh5Bm0pPz1lxJj1dbMoXK41gZnCJ9NCFZ9/s1600/P8121441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjS8GfU4N-zyiYo1WfxNElFuj_nQcI3IMku8SKhEmmDgBsaDG3_Dc2q0cjrbhnNeqq8dbx49YsLt5HnOns-knskIRTofAMwQoJeOggJEXZmxh5Bm0pPz1lxJj1dbMoXK41gZnCJ9NCFZ9/s1600/P8121441.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50tyEDVtJ-SQZZePPQ5rnyGm3Y5_NkXflMZk_z-yMXyoj0BxGIfdoHXo4N47ZWUEKuDZYYgQ3_dVdEK0Ow4VaVvK-MXs5VRY80ofFwa8AxP-NYIwooOGtlESjKC_rCP4uxeTsiSmJbMnr/s1600/P8121440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50tyEDVtJ-SQZZePPQ5rnyGm3Y5_NkXflMZk_z-yMXyoj0BxGIfdoHXo4N47ZWUEKuDZYYgQ3_dVdEK0Ow4VaVvK-MXs5VRY80ofFwa8AxP-NYIwooOGtlESjKC_rCP4uxeTsiSmJbMnr/s1600/P8121440.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It is a beautiful thing. Also, as an aside for my dear friend Genna...You will notice that there are two shades of orange and two shades of green. So clearly, this is the perfect rainbow order!! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So this is the Forth Street sign that these apartment doors lead to...I must say, I have never seen an "Independent Midwifery" sign before in my life, but hey - there's a first time for everything.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfhKHliR_3ZnkVhg6KO9uXiU147se5oxFJ5MvjWNbX4pIkMfTApfWHm57kDKmj21X0EsWvtw7FZFwSNiU65KIoo5JHIQkoDKvJ_2mfzaEYIibFiuiJkUA2WLjzLicC-E0JYaP64_LZThn/s1600/P8121445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfhKHliR_3ZnkVhg6KO9uXiU147se5oxFJ5MvjWNbX4pIkMfTApfWHm57kDKmj21X0EsWvtw7FZFwSNiU65KIoo5JHIQkoDKvJ_2mfzaEYIibFiuiJkUA2WLjzLicC-E0JYaP64_LZThn/s1600/P8121445.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This is a side view of my flat. It isn't the prettiest thing to look at, and it gets a little drafty at times, but I am quite happy to consider it my temporary home!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigv6VYGIt6gG-vIqdGhKU53Fx3GRY_GmdXSwf8iK88bbRnuRqBF3Ir_zT3oO9dINhe9e9pqCG_BdW6J9yFodmCl61qD-XtTdlrins0xMdqmfWHvADD0PXR3PKQsJLOnKN4SKulIXMLOzJZ/s1600/P8121448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigv6VYGIt6gG-vIqdGhKU53Fx3GRY_GmdXSwf8iK88bbRnuRqBF3Ir_zT3oO9dINhe9e9pqCG_BdW6J9yFodmCl61qD-XtTdlrins0xMdqmfWHvADD0PXR3PKQsJLOnKN4SKulIXMLOzJZ/s1600/P8121448.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So we had to tape this lovely sign to our back door...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCp2gA_5L289QiOOLWH-Nkkz1sRw9BnbNEZoCOEPnpTdXYkBJQkDx9gC0F_ElSvZz4hOEdaDt0YXgXbn_Gdm8zl6ydKIXyP0eqnsSibftGC0xZXDHLW_NpvpLYNyqegqphhlppta1r7pQ/s1600/P8121449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCp2gA_5L289QiOOLWH-Nkkz1sRw9BnbNEZoCOEPnpTdXYkBJQkDx9gC0F_ElSvZz4hOEdaDt0YXgXbn_Gdm8zl6ydKIXyP0eqnsSibftGC0xZXDHLW_NpvpLYNyqegqphhlppta1r7pQ/s1600/P8121449.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
....because supposedly, in past semesters, students coming to live in 2B, C, D, or E would try to move into 2A because our flat is the one that is featured on the Google Maps streetview, but then came the awkward confusion when they found out their flat was actually at the other end of the little parking lot! The sign seemed to fix that problem, though. Hooray for Kiwi ingenuity! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1Nj112oR9zdImnN4zHTmnhe-ygyvuALDKglAXDT0umxrUANKeKydjUwmEwNgSBs8-vrWuNeHre4nxKnrdvoIuL-Zy3IOogy-ywauG7yaQXknEr9QYD0ooZhsuEnM2nAW8Hk4ol9mtw-w/s1600/P8081407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1Nj112oR9zdImnN4zHTmnhe-ygyvuALDKglAXDT0umxrUANKeKydjUwmEwNgSBs8-vrWuNeHre4nxKnrdvoIuL-Zy3IOogy-ywauG7yaQXknEr9QYD0ooZhsuEnM2nAW8Hk4ol9mtw-w/s1600/P8081407.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is our 2a mailbox!! Isn't it cute? If you ever send me a postcard this is where it will end up. Note that travel time is about a week and postage will cost something like three or four stamps. But if you do go through the trouble of snail-mailing me, I will take a picture and proudly feature it on my blog! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here is the first piece of mail I received, from my friend Genna. (Yes, the same Genna who cares about rainbow colour order!!) We have been pen pals since we were 12-year-olds... But now since we are residing in different countries, we thought we should take advantage and be like "real" pen pals. Aren't we cute? :) So here is letter #165 and counting! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPzDKHDwhMiWG81wqR1ri4lxxQo6ppiATtQw15Id0GgCbOUAbzHtdsrJgn5B-9MQfhUjjnjhiguDE12heopHaHwVGrqU7-z45eQSjjwVfdavjZ6QPScFeTdkhNdRRQ0Cvd5KG7DJqgOHY/s1600/IMG_1358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPzDKHDwhMiWG81wqR1ri4lxxQo6ppiATtQw15Id0GgCbOUAbzHtdsrJgn5B-9MQfhUjjnjhiguDE12heopHaHwVGrqU7-z45eQSjjwVfdavjZ6QPScFeTdkhNdRRQ0Cvd5KG7DJqgOHY/s1600/IMG_1358.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This was my second piece of mail, sent to me from my good friend and Godsister Kayla. Some classic Colorado right here!! (I think my state pride is almost to a fault at this point.)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3bHtmNXdqrjFG_I_K4xHd87RsQT1OK8S3zpfASWHCcYhYOAS9f92_9P5YjUu5ofaiGWTY1Ov7c4Le2My5B_YbqCVWXURXtObtRY9YbLe4BWP7MUCnD3WIelribNhyqApCHYBq21ZNEOi/s1600/IMG_1356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3bHtmNXdqrjFG_I_K4xHd87RsQT1OK8S3zpfASWHCcYhYOAS9f92_9P5YjUu5ofaiGWTY1Ov7c4Le2My5B_YbqCVWXURXtObtRY9YbLe4BWP7MUCnD3WIelribNhyqApCHYBq21ZNEOi/s1600/IMG_1356.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
And here's some "moustachionary" from my friend Aaron. Look at that suave bunny rabbit!! SO FUZZY!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsU9waHh2no7quxoaPTAawsziZEcH9vEZ2cjoKg-lusQJl4eHdFixk722QtvoaP8cxK1_LIzoIONnLkx-2B4irRBXHf2Blq4zX89nPfzoLWRieRiwLeFsCxoBPvVgGu3bdgOeXKNyqTB9G/s1600/P8121418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsU9waHh2no7quxoaPTAawsziZEcH9vEZ2cjoKg-lusQJl4eHdFixk722QtvoaP8cxK1_LIzoIONnLkx-2B4irRBXHf2Blq4zX89nPfzoLWRieRiwLeFsCxoBPvVgGu3bdgOeXKNyqTB9G/s1600/P8121418.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So my address is 2a Forth Street, North Dunedin 9016, New Zealand. Feel free to send a carrier pigeon my way! Oh, or even better... send me a message via post owl, like they do in Harry Potter... </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While I have you at Forth Street, let me introduce you to my neighbours: Visitec Workwear. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8R7NuJYAN85YumKhvaQhKmVDXRuotFb9LC_DduUxEp-5k5aQkSyhV2lthAav9cTs6MfPFjCRYZ4w6LKHuUi4EHnTE5H2Xs2aVH94lW3CDhp19m5HYvZJGpK6OC0t7XY6i8POwzdynxwm/s1600/P8121446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8R7NuJYAN85YumKhvaQhKmVDXRuotFb9LC_DduUxEp-5k5aQkSyhV2lthAav9cTs6MfPFjCRYZ4w6LKHuUi4EHnTE5H2Xs2aVH94lW3CDhp19m5HYvZJGpK6OC0t7XY6i8POwzdynxwm/s1600/P8121446.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjWZEQulcbM6PfnyGKlgxJJR9B8-3y6SePqY0n-L-D-WkXlY9FvQKGXxdFzWDefwr0YPt9BPrvtKwuEilVOiWlOrfrCY0RDgu-_LYaCyvlrZDH1WrgCz2b2PqLLDfKBSOa7saHD1T-hIA/s1600/P8121447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjWZEQulcbM6PfnyGKlgxJJR9B8-3y6SePqY0n-L-D-WkXlY9FvQKGXxdFzWDefwr0YPt9BPrvtKwuEilVOiWlOrfrCY0RDgu-_LYaCyvlrZDH1WrgCz2b2PqLLDfKBSOa7saHD1T-hIA/s1600/P8121447.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I walked in there the first or second week after arriving in Dunedin and met the owner. His name is Roger. Really nice guy! (Did I already share this story on my blog before? I can't recall.) He inherited the family business from his father, who inherited it from <i>his</i> father, and I'm pretty sure it will be passed down to Roger's son, too. They supply construction-type workgear (boots, jackets, helmets, etc) all over New Zealand. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So every now and then I pop my head in to say hello to Roger and we talk about the weather, about his kids and grandkids, how the business is going, and what not. Roger has told me several times that if anything ever breaks down in our flat I can give him a call and he would come take a look at it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is why I chose to go to little old Dunedin instead of a larger city. I get to experience and contribute to this thing called community<i>. </i>And I love it.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_7kif-kFl6OrxflVIAAutsM0FUMWE0qBnibjeY85NNXEWY2L94JOx0gBbxUD74oMI6EP7Fob6iM6dUjSb7PBEy8PtorEI4RHDKOcjQCBav6QJKiZHNd7TT7nKT_RKURH7Mk6nAw7uS0p/s1600/P8111409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_7kif-kFl6OrxflVIAAutsM0FUMWE0qBnibjeY85NNXEWY2L94JOx0gBbxUD74oMI6EP7Fob6iM6dUjSb7PBEy8PtorEI4RHDKOcjQCBav6QJKiZHNd7TT7nKT_RKURH7Mk6nAw7uS0p/s1600/P8111409.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The sunrise outside of my window earlier this week. (No camera filters, I promise!)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00063429733366997408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703160593754561243.post-71243316578513547332014-08-12T18:17:00.000+12:002014-09-06T08:48:12.348+12:00The Mountains are Calling...<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> "I will lift up my eyes </i></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="p2">
<div style="text-align: center;">
to the mountains <span class="s1">—</span> </div>
</div>
<div class="p1">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> from where shall my help come?" </i></div>
</div>
<div class="p3">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="p1">
<div style="text-align: center;">
~Psalm 120:1</div>
</div>
<div class="p1">
<br />
<i>The mountains are calling, and I must go</i>.... but in this case, right into a tattoo shop....<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzFJQ4toRKLIadZV8MkRd2uQ2n8SMtOjaL2R8vYqeSmVMmJnhBCvHpFTwTDH7TuLTTvXeEb7YnKkZgI2v9JyRtA6e8djbEec2Uh8tgMFFFVwNGxsAU5UyazLzQKyqFhp4RWNxj94bKL1A/s1600/IMG_1355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzFJQ4toRKLIadZV8MkRd2uQ2n8SMtOjaL2R8vYqeSmVMmJnhBCvHpFTwTDH7TuLTTvXeEb7YnKkZgI2v9JyRtA6e8djbEec2Uh8tgMFFFVwNGxsAU5UyazLzQKyqFhp4RWNxj94bKL1A/s1600/IMG_1355.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
The mountains remind me of home. They have also been a source of inspiration and healing for me, especially this past year, so for the past few months it's been on my heart to commemorate that with a tattoo. </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I thought about getting it before I left for New Zealand, but I was so busy running around, seeing people, packing, dancing in Greek festivals, etc., and it just didn't feel like the right time to do it. So I figured I would just come home from studying abroad and get it sometime early next year, but I couldn't stop thinking about it. </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
So on a sunny Tuesday afternoon a couple weeks ago, I walked into a local tattoo shop by myself. I went with a photo in hand and a concept in mind. I intended to get a quote, maybe have the artist sketch something up, and then schedule an appointment to get it done later. But when he asked me if I wanted to get it done that afternoon...I paused for only two or three seconds before I responded, "Why not? Let's do it!" </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
It was one of the most impulsive things I have ever done, and it was fantastic.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
At the same time, though, I've known for a while that this is what I wanted to do--I just wasn't expecting it to happen in New Zealand! Also, for the record, my mom knew I wanted to get a mountain tattoo...but she wasn't expecting it to happen in NZ, either. Once she gave me the wise suggestion of waiting until I was 23 to get a tattoo--which is really smart! But I couldn't be that patient. ;)</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I know some people do not approve of tattoos, and I understand and respect that. I admit my tattoo probably won't look very pretty when I'm seventy years old (but by then I probably won't care). And I'm pretty sure the Orthodox Church doesn't approve of tattoos, either... But when I made my decision I knowingly accepted these risks, and I have had no regrets.<br />
<br />
<i>"We never grow tired of each other, the mountain and I." ~Li Po</i><br />
<br />
<div class="p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
I absolutely love love love my tattoo. After using coconut oil on it for the past two weeks, it's almost entirely healed up. By the way, for anyone considering a tattoo, I wholeheartedly recommend using coconut oil on it. It has anti-bacterial properties, is more moisturising than baby lotion, and my skin was only the least bit itchy! </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00063429733366997408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703160593754561243.post-38959196971102069962014-08-08T11:56:00.002+12:002014-08-15T14:04:19.618+12:00Snow! And Fiji culture! ....in Dunedin?!SNOW!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Everybody stay inside - it's not safe. Close the roads leading into the hills, cancel this morning's health centre appointments, tell the students not to come to class... Snow is on the ground in Dunedin!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LGoz1XdtMWS1v9DmBu3TICL6YJ2vbbHp8zjTPFdunphCkRxMlD8XRVSh2Wu2-2g0c4QHm8WSkf8P4T9IAhEhJVOIwFozpJ2JsbSFoOoJ8jUw9B0hfumfam2udy9lCupsxGFDWVlcRloM/s1600/IMG_1324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LGoz1XdtMWS1v9DmBu3TICL6YJ2vbbHp8zjTPFdunphCkRxMlD8XRVSh2Wu2-2g0c4QHm8WSkf8P4T9IAhEhJVOIwFozpJ2JsbSFoOoJ8jUw9B0hfumfam2udy9lCupsxGFDWVlcRloM/s1600/IMG_1324.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjh_Ival8b75iqNsXiGI_ujBqzV4gRPpiAYHDdLqL1r9KBR6sDSdpqDFKUEuasps6lunsVlUEL4e3nQ_EJxEAOjyCfGx3aFXONi8IGDD_zcQIN7fGS-FDOUXVQGqhJqoq2K6JYF7XxXS3s/s1600/P8061372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjh_Ival8b75iqNsXiGI_ujBqzV4gRPpiAYHDdLqL1r9KBR6sDSdpqDFKUEuasps6lunsVlUEL4e3nQ_EJxEAOjyCfGx3aFXONi8IGDD_zcQIN7fGS-FDOUXVQGqhJqoq2K6JYF7XxXS3s/s1600/P8061372.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjO0f7-LeeDQP-25eSzdRZBOmJeGENOYAKWMoZb-01AAdv4e6vvfRZS8cw_pIw_y5tVi8Enzv_oJ4hQBiarqU2DsqY51B3O6UH5J0J0SNH_F5w9pXvDQcWlSnL1zRCcJVPChlYCsnwMAIy/s1600/P8061373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjO0f7-LeeDQP-25eSzdRZBOmJeGENOYAKWMoZb-01AAdv4e6vvfRZS8cw_pIw_y5tVi8Enzv_oJ4hQBiarqU2DsqY51B3O6UH5J0J0SNH_F5w9pXvDQcWlSnL1zRCcJVPChlYCsnwMAIy/s1600/P8061373.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I mean.... <i>really?</i> The entire city shut down for this little dusting?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Dunedin may be known for its damp, bone-chilling cold... but this coastal city don't know a thing 'bout snow! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I've been loving it though! Snow makes for a proper winter, in my opinion. Theoretically this weather will keep me inside to work on my tourism essay, but then again...it might just be another excuse to keep reading <i>Lord of the Rings. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Yes. That seems preferable. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
But while I am in the blogging mindset...I might as well tell you about my Fijian culture experience from earlier this week. I got to participate in a traditional Kava ceremony, Fiji style, which I signed up for through the Student Centre (they offer so many great activities), because... why not? It sounded like something cultural. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Kava is a drink made from the root of the <i>Piper methysticum</i>, which is related to the pepper plant. Drinking kava is a huge part of Fiji culture - it can be social and casual, but it is also highly ceremonial. For example, the oldest male (or the chief) always drinks first; the women always drink last. You always clap once before receiving your bowl of kava, then you drink it in one go, and afterwards clap three more times. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwG1m_HlSKOwpsUvF5VWNPPErtf9Ut1kkKebUPF8RDUVwmyHT0bGGijoeuGndMpQsseq6vZ853tCdqLQ7QbutXM537YhyaoWTHLsDCj3NRes3nVR2TeKDg21AkK2oX2fQTQUUsLhP8FU3D/s1600/P8041361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwG1m_HlSKOwpsUvF5VWNPPErtf9Ut1kkKebUPF8RDUVwmyHT0bGGijoeuGndMpQsseq6vZ853tCdqLQ7QbutXM537YhyaoWTHLsDCj3NRes3nVR2TeKDg21AkK2oX2fQTQUUsLhP8FU3D/s1600/P8041361.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preparing to mix the Kava in the communal bowl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
We were totally on "Fiji time" that night. Our hosts prepared a PowerPoint presentation about Kava, its history, effects, preparation, etc. We would go through only one or two slides before we drank another round of Kava. We were all relaxed and sleepy because Kava is mildly narcotic. </div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6GjHMIAv8GYX3ushDYjlz-Z-fsN3MW4USSK5xG6vPItz0Rh7K-iWkjwDH5GsQydBxD1ED-90eoCf39NJFPGgGIE3vREvJjGpy2w1zA5gko63GBJ0Zq_rPKaOXwhgRfF1_nCB0ThJYXYmK/s1600/P8041367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6GjHMIAv8GYX3ushDYjlz-Z-fsN3MW4USSK5xG6vPItz0Rh7K-iWkjwDH5GsQydBxD1ED-90eoCf39NJFPGgGIE3vREvJjGpy2w1zA5gko63GBJ0Zq_rPKaOXwhgRfF1_nCB0ThJYXYmK/s1600/P8041367.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
To put it positively, Kava tastes <i>earthy</i>. To put it very literally, it tastes like warm, muddy water with sawdust. But experiencing Kava is less about the drink itself and more about the people you are with. Kava is entirely about the community. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Our little group (of about 7-8 people) stayed in the student centre until the building closed, which was around 11 pm--a full hour over our allotted time. We were just relaxing cross-legged on the floor, listening to Fijian music, chatting about nothing in particular. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
And so, while in New Zealand, I got a small taste of Fijian culture. I also got to experience snow in Dunedin, which only happens a couple times a year, if at all. So I'd say it's been a good week! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Cheers, everybody!</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00063429733366997408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703160593754561243.post-91976908735708080382014-08-03T22:42:00.003+12:002014-08-15T14:03:55.854+12:00Happy Campy Planty!"Ah! Now, that is one happy campy planty!" said Martin, one of my German friends, after we successfully planted another little tree.<br />
<br />
We were volunteering for the Penguin Place, which is a conservation reserve dedicated to helping the endangered Yellow Eyed Penguins (which can only be found in southern New Zealand). These penguins need shade and privacy to survive, but most of NZ's wetlands were cleared for farmland, so today we helped plant over three-hundred little trees in an ongoing effort to reproduce the penguins' habitat.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtLZgzSJWUtsCexPV2G6n5pJx1pJnQBAR1XNNAXUg-Hm9Js4nMwU8N4CsMQIYuGKd7oFrJ30g6GlvjYaMz5o4mnNl6E3KhyphenhyphenYLbREk4FvWMG6i3H-HLq5Sm1tvAbSGmdELOd8HJPAGuWaR/s1600/P7291090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtLZgzSJWUtsCexPV2G6n5pJx1pJnQBAR1XNNAXUg-Hm9Js4nMwU8N4CsMQIYuGKd7oFrJ30g6GlvjYaMz5o4mnNl6E3KhyphenhyphenYLbREk4FvWMG6i3H-HLq5Sm1tvAbSGmdELOd8HJPAGuWaR/s1600/P7291090.JPG" height="480" width="640" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbzyvnOigRh8mdbgpxqOh1OjeRk8S5NJ-K_VJMSc0YaEpo012xC7isMAVkv70g892V91xSJNCgRuW_ny1CfCkZxxwNd8AjsKf06coJvfTfsU0uPoQCTLEhKTwtKxGQcgt4lkhwSRl8Ztq/s1600/P7291084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbzyvnOigRh8mdbgpxqOh1OjeRk8S5NJ-K_VJMSc0YaEpo012xC7isMAVkv70g892V91xSJNCgRuW_ny1CfCkZxxwNd8AjsKf06coJvfTfsU0uPoQCTLEhKTwtKxGQcgt4lkhwSRl8Ztq/s1600/P7291084.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbzyvnOigRh8mdbgpxqOh1OjeRk8S5NJ-K_VJMSc0YaEpo012xC7isMAVkv70g892V91xSJNCgRuW_ny1CfCkZxxwNd8AjsKf06coJvfTfsU0uPoQCTLEhKTwtKxGQcgt4lkhwSRl8Ztq/s1600/P7291084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHCW0j7TDk71KBshFzbqQJ77a5r65cCYtZPxFmvhPD7AWdKb_SLckmMRfy2siMgmGs2Xzztdx7YfnlXU3nvMwE93IX0IyJyWNNEY1uHnLzDet6Nnj0RiBCPjvDFLAlZyS1-zktOXTAbJ_/s1600/P7301121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHCW0j7TDk71KBshFzbqQJ77a5r65cCYtZPxFmvhPD7AWdKb_SLckmMRfy2siMgmGs2Xzztdx7YfnlXU3nvMwE93IX0IyJyWNNEY1uHnLzDet6Nnj0RiBCPjvDFLAlZyS1-zktOXTAbJ_/s1600/P7301121.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoClekoveuKLBVw6T9UogFz5eKLq7_UjT0OuAfYPcvKp9C_P6KFDykBqZLkeD0c7QJ_a4j-HFpQmiQK0uK7_tDSCcDpfZe-38NwiryTOFXVQ-uvkzuwGxVyhfXOQlqvoB-bTrTdouVyKD9/s1600/P7291093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoClekoveuKLBVw6T9UogFz5eKLq7_UjT0OuAfYPcvKp9C_P6KFDykBqZLkeD0c7QJ_a4j-HFpQmiQK0uK7_tDSCcDpfZe-38NwiryTOFXVQ-uvkzuwGxVyhfXOQlqvoB-bTrTdouVyKD9/s1600/P7291093.jpg" height="400" width="300" /> </a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
While we were there we got a tour of the penguin reserve, and we had the amazing opportunity to sneak a peak at a pair of yellow eyed penguins, as well as some little blue penguins (the smallest penguin species in the world), and even a seal just chillaxing by the beach.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
It was a great day to meet new friends and lend a helping hand to the community.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewPnAUvlc7C2uKYMIAhgxH_q-CHge6L992kyPWh8oO7LdpaUi-kPOYKvG8ZBmditcR2G66IHDTb2OqI5rJPCcW4pLp-s_Y-h1qjZhsqS6_tcmj2rTKBuG38alWitcurtfJJxcCY299ACf/s1600/P7301162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewPnAUvlc7C2uKYMIAhgxH_q-CHge6L992kyPWh8oO7LdpaUi-kPOYKvG8ZBmditcR2G66IHDTb2OqI5rJPCcW4pLp-s_Y-h1qjZhsqS6_tcmj2rTKBuG38alWitcurtfJJxcCY299ACf/s1600/P7301162.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKKvLIo77w1tySeW08q7X70AUfTUhF2e78qoup6JSUOilxMsRyKRzt8s92NIyGc9XZ6BWPO25smzZYGxL_uQxY8NEtShbiCNKJc5NHDcmig7JPnLYgi8GV0GH_SaMDfdApKzJLvNduem-Q/s1600/P7301157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKKvLIo77w1tySeW08q7X70AUfTUhF2e78qoup6JSUOilxMsRyKRzt8s92NIyGc9XZ6BWPO25smzZYGxL_uQxY8NEtShbiCNKJc5NHDcmig7JPnLYgi8GV0GH_SaMDfdApKzJLvNduem-Q/s1600/P7301157.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8TWhPXhj7TTje0utkYal4rdvoIfo3NPK9xeH4zwM0ajcJDyqzafH17SKCbfvx8xcxmXvSY1jgxwyA_yLXBwRrSd38gNR-y4u5otLJqeYfkrpXXOaqG4PpyfSMqmU2uY4xpnC7x18ego_/s1600/P7301182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8TWhPXhj7TTje0utkYal4rdvoIfo3NPK9xeH4zwM0ajcJDyqzafH17SKCbfvx8xcxmXvSY1jgxwyA_yLXBwRrSd38gNR-y4u5otLJqeYfkrpXXOaqG4PpyfSMqmU2uY4xpnC7x18ego_/s1600/P7301182.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There was also a <i>ridiculously</i> gorgeous day this weekend--I think it broke some 60-year record. So a couple of us spent the afternoon at a local beach to enjoy the weather. It was the first day I've wore shorts since arriving here!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
It was the softest, whitest sand I have ever seen. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizy0Gr4-BzWKUvF5eerD5zAx-DLH39xyAAGxWfchwBZgrirRSsJIlN8OHnftWLIAxQsDSE2L3rK7hlHhulXCueW7bXZj3UXlUJs1YzHn8FaDv443BUUhw_tyMiHzgeoCog2W69yFP99tel/s1600/P7311207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizy0Gr4-BzWKUvF5eerD5zAx-DLH39xyAAGxWfchwBZgrirRSsJIlN8OHnftWLIAxQsDSE2L3rK7hlHhulXCueW7bXZj3UXlUJs1YzHn8FaDv443BUUhw_tyMiHzgeoCog2W69yFP99tel/s1600/P7311207.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyUMhpfK11P89nWWpmhCmmAX8RaPiC_KeHy110d1ZAEbnLQfsYkUgc5L4db4LDx-KApSWidTesZOXbMJP6ZZiDzAW_KrH5DzlWD4-0ZzF1FXtvTu3Ia7YeLLq2sX4n0Q2iDJcwvX5Jl25/s1600/P7311306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyUMhpfK11P89nWWpmhCmmAX8RaPiC_KeHy110d1ZAEbnLQfsYkUgc5L4db4LDx-KApSWidTesZOXbMJP6ZZiDzAW_KrH5DzlWD4-0ZzF1FXtvTu3Ia7YeLLq2sX4n0Q2iDJcwvX5Jl25/s1600/P7311306.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Christian and I thought it would be cool to take photos of us doing yoga poses on the beach... It was fun and we had a lot of laughs!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNClfmDVTMhUXDQoY-XT1wM67PqRx-Gr_nT6rOkm1_mXkuR-KM8-P_UtFs5Bna5SPA9gN8VpQS3OiZGUrHJg05myTEp6bFtczLg-qWSAi9-sSSGHWk5aVaMZ2390f3WBIEw5u3ApJGIaOq/s1600/P7311254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNClfmDVTMhUXDQoY-XT1wM67PqRx-Gr_nT6rOkm1_mXkuR-KM8-P_UtFs5Bna5SPA9gN8VpQS3OiZGUrHJg05myTEp6bFtczLg-qWSAi9-sSSGHWk5aVaMZ2390f3WBIEw5u3ApJGIaOq/s1600/P7311254.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXzhUZ7hZLiIBuY9ynyhJbwXlYqmtw04WLOcKyI4M7UFS_QfGGC9gCnTdgOJgfihokqQLOPzxdRsv8W1yoKJX-_BsIRfkJ8f8ql7_EcggMBMIpEdGXQpSSBDiCavkQEDZqPlObqQ4Gqxa/s1600/P7311316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXzhUZ7hZLiIBuY9ynyhJbwXlYqmtw04WLOcKyI4M7UFS_QfGGC9gCnTdgOJgfihokqQLOPzxdRsv8W1yoKJX-_BsIRfkJ8f8ql7_EcggMBMIpEdGXQpSSBDiCavkQEDZqPlObqQ4Gqxa/s1600/P7311316.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3O4eP0Vclq7VjiOKtakmDsxcp0gVrUuXv8U9tIRDmsVA9stonBw7izT48rb9cgFJhktdhJBP569NOKicbCIkEG9HNpyrUAlSt6T6D3nR_kfMKMnuuJmUzfJdergAoz8xP5ml8wg8vX52/s1600/P7311317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3O4eP0Vclq7VjiOKtakmDsxcp0gVrUuXv8U9tIRDmsVA9stonBw7izT48rb9cgFJhktdhJBP569NOKicbCIkEG9HNpyrUAlSt6T6D3nR_kfMKMnuuJmUzfJdergAoz8xP5ml8wg8vX52/s1600/P7311317.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
DOGGIE!!! Playing catch on the beach! So cute!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZHqkcnRV2b9HQJ6uyeS2hdD9ULvfSZcvbdyrS1_sBuhc_TLRJLR3bhNbwq6aFf1f5SEk0cF_WsnPTdeDlXY3R41lc5z9zG6sbAd3i4dKc7WRSBCs4rNcEhKpGWj_Asv-WoVPDP23B9UX/s1600/P7311337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZHqkcnRV2b9HQJ6uyeS2hdD9ULvfSZcvbdyrS1_sBuhc_TLRJLR3bhNbwq6aFf1f5SEk0cF_WsnPTdeDlXY3R41lc5z9zG6sbAd3i4dKc7WRSBCs4rNcEhKpGWj_Asv-WoVPDP23B9UX/s1600/P7311337.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOKalHGMDeojh6ENiQzRfzfuENZkGkBM2YGbTmJwTycSgU8dgDlc33MRTGuBzA4weEdBKGUOHuN8dv55rbLH_sWHQOdyFGeZtjr0Eu2QZIMhlv7EZwjOqy3AMUF6QX4DE6ODqztiErN-9/s1600/P7311341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOKalHGMDeojh6ENiQzRfzfuENZkGkBM2YGbTmJwTycSgU8dgDlc33MRTGuBzA4weEdBKGUOHuN8dv55rbLH_sWHQOdyFGeZtjr0Eu2QZIMhlv7EZwjOqy3AMUF6QX4DE6ODqztiErN-9/s1600/P7311341.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAu6oT70kI9GOaMkt4soIb1VQAwQ6CbLNo8OqMlnb-UvDQyk7AWZlVWsVx9F0p-h6F1WiK35qCJFMXLxLYZwld10q0jlN7UZ0B_dpcBqirg8Y_VKZR1a5SARKjOv9lV7N0b_fj9cL71dQ/s1600/P7311322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAu6oT70kI9GOaMkt4soIb1VQAwQ6CbLNo8OqMlnb-UvDQyk7AWZlVWsVx9F0p-h6F1WiK35qCJFMXLxLYZwld10q0jlN7UZ0B_dpcBqirg8Y_VKZR1a5SARKjOv9lV7N0b_fj9cL71dQ/s1600/P7311322.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
I promise I have assignments and classes, too! I don't spend every day playing on the beach or tramping through the hills... Those days just make for the best pictures!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00063429733366997408noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703160593754561243.post-39717846874890236832014-07-29T18:04:00.001+12:002014-08-15T14:02:55.337+12:00For DaniMy dear friend Dani, who has been my roommate for the past two years, just demanded that I write her a new blog post. Apparently it has been ages since I last posted something, so this post is for her!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have officially been in New Zealand for a month... POOF! That time is now gone. Crazy.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The past couple of weeks have been a combination of lectures, studying, kickboxing classes, and random walks/tramps on the weekends. Oh, as well as three-night marathon to watch the Lord of the Rings movies -- extended editions, of course. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After a while I stop carrying around my camera, but here are a few things I've taken shots of! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
From the Botanic Gardens:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVLaiOCZ6tMUVVa8hfO0DNfuJcm2weGZOq1X9yF74xokpaIfwgC1e4wWsINvk926Cs4n7nh7aumldlkGsJoF0379WNhQjXlSU4M8q23MlHni2xztp-X9ZqAqmblpu8nZMNSrE3m_uiNwx/s1600/P7220902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVLaiOCZ6tMUVVa8hfO0DNfuJcm2weGZOq1X9yF74xokpaIfwgC1e4wWsINvk926Cs4n7nh7aumldlkGsJoF0379WNhQjXlSU4M8q23MlHni2xztp-X9ZqAqmblpu8nZMNSrE3m_uiNwx/s1600/P7220902.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Looks like a crazy hair do, right?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbYz8OJetlchoZM5UdxQZZxzkWRLNgLor96vEAT3WTWIXYK6fRlBYaPawdVi9HmsTM3eqUeIkHIu9x_txsRhxgrqBwuWn-Hm-aNy0JCkXsdmHra_p63UrIFS-NN97PMxCZ0yxGQrMnJdE5/s1600/P7220919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbYz8OJetlchoZM5UdxQZZxzkWRLNgLor96vEAT3WTWIXYK6fRlBYaPawdVi9HmsTM3eqUeIkHIu9x_txsRhxgrqBwuWn-Hm-aNy0JCkXsdmHra_p63UrIFS-NN97PMxCZ0yxGQrMnJdE5/s1600/P7220919.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG63WlPCOu2g2QujC99Xvi37vCcePPtTfiMdBnktB4utyO9doVAfRKM1fJipAEsa8pXnKkPcgO4J2z8LYpeutACB86-iPkBDvdM2wPzx1uB0F4QTGsHjaQq-iVKGry-iyZWKddB_inrA_9/s1600/P7220920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG63WlPCOu2g2QujC99Xvi37vCcePPtTfiMdBnktB4utyO9doVAfRKM1fJipAEsa8pXnKkPcgO4J2z8LYpeutACB86-iPkBDvdM2wPzx1uB0F4QTGsHjaQq-iVKGry-iyZWKddB_inrA_9/s1600/P7220920.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
Last weekend I volunteered at a little horse stable where disabled people can ride the eight ponies they have there. We fed the ponies dinner, refilled their water, and mucked out their stalls. Loved it!<br />
<br />
It was also the first time I have ever used a wheelbarrow! So of course I took a picture.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_9Tmwi1rr9FNPr5urxfoAeS-cZzYOysVhv6gqGJxttXy9gjTusWLDcETV3CdIV7EKJVActn_Isbg_8XECrgH7uY12txqQxuUlGoqc912dIEVZSTq8wmfDmoo1SJ8N8sQiz1xCFYFVVc2/s1600/P7240931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_9Tmwi1rr9FNPr5urxfoAeS-cZzYOysVhv6gqGJxttXy9gjTusWLDcETV3CdIV7EKJVActn_Isbg_8XECrgH7uY12txqQxuUlGoqc912dIEVZSTq8wmfDmoo1SJ8N8sQiz1xCFYFVVc2/s1600/P7240931.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_gEBcOVUoT8XhgCg8g1gcE-ZPpBP157JohogfToMR7AJfPaeluGXj8cn4Apux71D94TKc9x3D4eUtTpPLj8HD0DGTLWZzuY3O5YFkCUBwtrESLwahn7qYw4bWgbpWlPfb6G_zRU0BCf2/s1600/P7240942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_gEBcOVUoT8XhgCg8g1gcE-ZPpBP157JohogfToMR7AJfPaeluGXj8cn4Apux71D94TKc9x3D4eUtTpPLj8HD0DGTLWZzuY3O5YFkCUBwtrESLwahn7qYw4bWgbpWlPfb6G_zRU0BCf2/s1600/P7240942.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxP_frW6Wngbn8z6oXEJkBvs-8T6FJH1bIXJLfkoAaySw96h9cLhu78whAQc1O-G35SxfTumxDD10RMzocTS_2u5CvyjWbO1cUizoKX_dMgd2SN6vxmhzu-JiNxV5694zQ3NJQG5wssWBP/s1600/P7240955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxP_frW6Wngbn8z6oXEJkBvs-8T6FJH1bIXJLfkoAaySw96h9cLhu78whAQc1O-G35SxfTumxDD10RMzocTS_2u5CvyjWbO1cUizoKX_dMgd2SN6vxmhzu-JiNxV5694zQ3NJQG5wssWBP/s1600/P7240955.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is an AWESOME tree house, not too far from the University. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBFpx2lNbL8nloLUIxC7AFdRq42fqZh5kCOUeKsVcv81yyNjju-NHJUtGQ8T0mzaYczcCkVpngg7bfqDShoHoJ1l8-ob9jZ_EkutUBuycr8kp0PsVKFeEkAY2AY7XnSULNCFCw4a3VQMp/s1600/P7240966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBFpx2lNbL8nloLUIxC7AFdRq42fqZh5kCOUeKsVcv81yyNjju-NHJUtGQ8T0mzaYczcCkVpngg7bfqDShoHoJ1l8-ob9jZ_EkutUBuycr8kp0PsVKFeEkAY2AY7XnSULNCFCw4a3VQMp/s1600/P7240966.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And here is the first panoramic shot I tried to take on my camera. It was taken from Flagstaff - another hill not too far from where I live. It was a sunny, but blustery day. The rain clouds on the right half of the photo finally caught up with us on our way back to campus. We were cold, hungry, and tired... but definitely still happy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0247rRlTkNReluDh9t0QEUPtgom6nia6AFoCaiq3m9r4BcuufKfjVu4-oyKThVdsRbwhDz8mxu4j31NHtJ9Vn7mC2-mN5M_0bp5O9YilH40jTE5WC5tzynMJgScE3BtHe-4j1a_tcvFEp/s1600/P7250991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0247rRlTkNReluDh9t0QEUPtgom6nia6AFoCaiq3m9r4BcuufKfjVu4-oyKThVdsRbwhDz8mxu4j31NHtJ9Vn7mC2-mN5M_0bp5O9YilH40jTE5WC5tzynMJgScE3BtHe-4j1a_tcvFEp/s1600/P7250991.JPG" height="108" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now for some random Kiwi observations I've made lately...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>People like to put old couches outside--back yard, front yard, in a tree house, wherever. The idea is that you have somewhere comfy to sit when you're lounging outside... but what if... I don't know... creepy crawling things decide to live in your couch? And, at least in Dunedin, it rains all the time. Can mold grow on couch fabric? </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>"Bangs" (as in the haircut style) are called "fringe" here. Makes way more sense. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>There's really no such thing as "New Zealand cuisine." I suppose traditional/common NZ meals would be based on seafood, seeing as it's an island-country surrounded by sea. Otherwise it's like a meat-and-potatoes, fish-and-chips kind of place. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So there you go, Dani! (And all of my other readers.) Thank you for your patience. :)</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00063429733366997408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703160593754561243.post-22127252253936913282014-07-20T22:28:00.001+12:002014-08-15T14:02:18.411+12:00Capturing MomentsI am currently slurping down a bowl of the vegetable, rice, and lentil soup that I made all by myself--it is quite delicious!--and browsing through the 300+ photos I took this past week, and I am reminded of something I said to my mom earlier this year:<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"I don't want to experience New Zealand behind the lens of a camera."<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yes, well. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Since I <i>am </i>here, I might as well remember it. (My mom is probably thinking, <i>I told you so.</i>)</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Also, in a very literal sense, I'm never behind my camera lens for more than a quarter of an hour every day, so the other 23.75 hours are still available for me to do the first-hand experiencing. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am now going to borrow one of my friend's blogging techniques: the numbered list. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>This is Why I Took Three Hundred Photos This Week</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
1. My foot therapist gave me the "OK" to start adding back in physical activities.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
2. I think he used the word "gradually," but I have selective memory problems, so I don't remember. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
3. I have four day weekends this semester, with only one hour of class on Thursday and no Friday classes. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
4. The sun was shining three days out of the four this past weekend.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Soooooo.... If you know me at all, and were able to put #1-#4 together....</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here are some of my favourite pictures! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
These first few are from the harbour, which is only a ten minute walk away from where I live.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaqmVmljz8pbAUiyHzdVaqaiRL4lyrQgTr-w6T0UZ1FBzj07QCP3A3bNylHlB8F-s1kP0T58aMqkhK0mq2hA7ztQTvRQTIGG4KRq-QcD5gNRY-JMNAL3KgejyFnurflw_Br_4z21AaP7q1/s1600/P7150486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaqmVmljz8pbAUiyHzdVaqaiRL4lyrQgTr-w6T0UZ1FBzj07QCP3A3bNylHlB8F-s1kP0T58aMqkhK0mq2hA7ztQTvRQTIGG4KRq-QcD5gNRY-JMNAL3KgejyFnurflw_Br_4z21AaP7q1/s1600/P7150486.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ11J7nrqsfxOX3wrUoCRgrSL-ULnRdoBq3tC6U7ZmZtEanAAR03-tOMARVUj2XOzbJ4SqoUqI7TAysTvpPnGyz8PPgS3qvYGFnPM7DQjQZDY-aN1AFpsf2EBR_mA1-kJJDJ9uxCvU_qs1/s1600/P7150489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ11J7nrqsfxOX3wrUoCRgrSL-ULnRdoBq3tC6U7ZmZtEanAAR03-tOMARVUj2XOzbJ4SqoUqI7TAysTvpPnGyz8PPgS3qvYGFnPM7DQjQZDY-aN1AFpsf2EBR_mA1-kJJDJ9uxCvU_qs1/s1600/P7150489.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-G7JiOTSkf9j87A39k8DkkDoKpo6i_M4V1h-lhytVMLtHJvGi_Aebkxdc3zgAl7vShbwMloifLq93m3kLO-QMSivBdRawIFS0aJ8Z1qyOhOnYnwknDsJUP21PvbVL8yT006iNMFaKXiW/s1600/P7150483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-G7JiOTSkf9j87A39k8DkkDoKpo6i_M4V1h-lhytVMLtHJvGi_Aebkxdc3zgAl7vShbwMloifLq93m3kLO-QMSivBdRawIFS0aJ8Z1qyOhOnYnwknDsJUP21PvbVL8yT006iNMFaKXiW/s1600/P7150483.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
(I thought that bird was hilarious. He, or she, held that pose for at least a minute!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
These next ones were taken from the top of Signal Hill. My friends and I had to walk back in the dark using our phone flashlights, but the sunset views were totally worth it! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpdM8FPhi-5kXEnYlYOMeUQU4bjZYty_NBbBH7qRKHPgmOmwH6Qs0mgAeF1HQ_v9Z4GLUm429SC8A5MweZZ1ky_6_OcZr_7-nw7fJjYmrGQB8AXC8_hq8-gaRt4i2O1T3xfMRXk0BEj45/s1600/P7160559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpdM8FPhi-5kXEnYlYOMeUQU4bjZYty_NBbBH7qRKHPgmOmwH6Qs0mgAeF1HQ_v9Z4GLUm429SC8A5MweZZ1ky_6_OcZr_7-nw7fJjYmrGQB8AXC8_hq8-gaRt4i2O1T3xfMRXk0BEj45/s1600/P7160559.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq3dt-Jb2VnssqAcFSXZcqC2nNGKQg9zlhd3qQ4Dij1yqNvDbNY2DgADQa-JrDl4aqf9p1uXyk0UBoL11CQbRscN732ZAgar5wY5j1fOP5sGXhdbte26J1_u_td9oWDoWQncD4F4Am69-t/s1600/P7160572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq3dt-Jb2VnssqAcFSXZcqC2nNGKQg9zlhd3qQ4Dij1yqNvDbNY2DgADQa-JrDl4aqf9p1uXyk0UBoL11CQbRscN732ZAgar5wY5j1fOP5sGXhdbte26J1_u_td9oWDoWQncD4F4Am69-t/s1600/P7160572.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This next set was taken from some other hill in Dunedin (there are so many hills!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lots of pastureland and open space. Gorgeous day. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrP58_c3zgw0riQLvcAxjivSbu1ZIGiKOcL0p90wXium5QC5xJr4BHKM-CVtHCxp3ik0cjAi5fW_J-6ghyZdpLph11RMOJphI7XfRICDU21ooktHPUEuGq501wU_fBYpMflIQC9VfPrf2h/s1600/P7160590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrP58_c3zgw0riQLvcAxjivSbu1ZIGiKOcL0p90wXium5QC5xJr4BHKM-CVtHCxp3ik0cjAi5fW_J-6ghyZdpLph11RMOJphI7XfRICDU21ooktHPUEuGq501wU_fBYpMflIQC9VfPrf2h/s1600/P7160590.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQ6sAstN4mWjg3qADpzRYpad24JcrPf009Te-JbBuwElUWcucOfqPsIu-nTjIv3CRBtRZwNpm7RgnFBqS_7E0t6_9IJ8O7f7-JUFM-RD8RLalRZrRcbvGmG0LcGX-IFi5mLuSQ35Wy3vc/s1600/P7160612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQ6sAstN4mWjg3qADpzRYpad24JcrPf009Te-JbBuwElUWcucOfqPsIu-nTjIv3CRBtRZwNpm7RgnFBqS_7E0t6_9IJ8O7f7-JUFM-RD8RLalRZrRcbvGmG0LcGX-IFi5mLuSQ35Wy3vc/s1600/P7160612.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMS9BxDuY3DnnpAeXRIm6HMC3QlCJJbd4_1t71rC9jPv1jcnSo_0VO90_J9gGF1GoBYbFdz5npOeov8VwpHCSyFDQNDMJ5XhC3ccIQayGwkY4mktcImq3yrbSrruBSW05IMSI_ODjOvqx/s1600/P7160640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMS9BxDuY3DnnpAeXRIm6HMC3QlCJJbd4_1t71rC9jPv1jcnSo_0VO90_J9gGF1GoBYbFdz5npOeov8VwpHCSyFDQNDMJ5XhC3ccIQayGwkY4mktcImq3yrbSrruBSW05IMSI_ODjOvqx/s1600/P7160640.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
OMMMGGGG SHEEP!!!!!!!!! I literally squealed and ran up the hill to take a picture. The sheep were just everywhere--it was so New Zealandish!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVA97Fce-inj_U9LiSUKxbII5iGnvajYPamvfIfG9Msq5aPbgp886pqTWu7FN8K3_dngtlC_HOscAzZDgWMNDFqsMiHwjrpYnWUQHQvzUTjDB4rutMyZIoxZFtIoEZ9KdI5ry_av25fP5F/s1600/P7160695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVA97Fce-inj_U9LiSUKxbII5iGnvajYPamvfIfG9Msq5aPbgp886pqTWu7FN8K3_dngtlC_HOscAzZDgWMNDFqsMiHwjrpYnWUQHQvzUTjDB4rutMyZIoxZFtIoEZ9KdI5ry_av25fP5F/s1600/P7160695.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIP35bHXIH46i42PIgy4YYI5ixBfAukBiADyh5ktc7ypKsMyHDsopmhFDoayKmh7_MW9AvVR3boMgY_gcuxZWv6AWY6bIvCvTR2ee9wQGHJcZgCkr2KNyKilt7e3OWB5CTGJJnYWma1IN5/s1600/P7160714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIP35bHXIH46i42PIgy4YYI5ixBfAukBiADyh5ktc7ypKsMyHDsopmhFDoayKmh7_MW9AvVR3boMgY_gcuxZWv6AWY6bIvCvTR2ee9wQGHJcZgCkr2KNyKilt7e3OWB5CTGJJnYWma1IN5/s1600/P7160714.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Also--cows!!! Look at what they're eating... kale, spinach, squash, oranges, pumpkin, bananas, eggplant. They were free to just roam around the hills, and they were so happy! Hooray for the humane treatment of animals!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjvkVWJDjPHEcLfnH29Lvbc1u6MQMkaHCGZhHHUk5XDJoqDbAd5lVHzCi91JZ77C-WFoSkLqk_SjsZdUl6Rj5i-SLTtuHgCNGDu9Abi_FOPuMMLjdCCKfGvYMzqlDu5t-5Cc7NJN-q0DC/s1600/P7160729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDjvkVWJDjPHEcLfnH29Lvbc1u6MQMkaHCGZhHHUk5XDJoqDbAd5lVHzCi91JZ77C-WFoSkLqk_SjsZdUl6Rj5i-SLTtuHgCNGDu9Abi_FOPuMMLjdCCKfGvYMzqlDu5t-5Cc7NJN-q0DC/s1600/P7160729.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Oh, and this next one is of me running down the hill! The air was crisp and it was windy, which made for a pretty epic moment. <i>"I was like a mountain goat!" </i>I told my friend.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMNOFybYDdlI953OrJ8yNQ5O4gWXV9hTRWqGRvw-XK_wi3ekhd_bM_4_AXllRn-OtBd6zK2NfODcRJJnUQMiIvCqdHgIZWKujaEfEEVinR4C-bcjyRa4aVAbC0kBUOqjd2S-0DtaglsN0/s1600/P7160662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMNOFybYDdlI953OrJ8yNQ5O4gWXV9hTRWqGRvw-XK_wi3ekhd_bM_4_AXllRn-OtBd6zK2NfODcRJJnUQMiIvCqdHgIZWKujaEfEEVinR4C-bcjyRa4aVAbC0kBUOqjd2S-0DtaglsN0/s1600/P7160662.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Moving onto Tunnel Beach! My Kiwi host, Georgia, drove me there. Absolutely stunning cliffs.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzY1MP5tZ4hvoeRZhXkQET3VKjLE3SEbmMCTrNSZU3XRMs2mud5BAzZ-ZlJQVmxEmyifmwILE65jDkbeOk-xHAC89XblRaXlBMmrWgwOPSMJ6G6DMjBjD7f9KDYRxMNDDq04Hqm5FB6rre/s1600/P7170759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzY1MP5tZ4hvoeRZhXkQET3VKjLE3SEbmMCTrNSZU3XRMs2mud5BAzZ-ZlJQVmxEmyifmwILE65jDkbeOk-xHAC89XblRaXlBMmrWgwOPSMJ6G6DMjBjD7f9KDYRxMNDDq04Hqm5FB6rre/s1600/P7170759.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODng-HcuZEsTuykPe21fIWXm3nNvY3j6I7TUzsQMAlQTq89Z2RuPmJprkJ1IXHtiPfepE1Nw3ajBd7JJ7R0cyVwHlYopxeLd9ZYwQmvrDWbKZWUH5mHkQebn8R2BdSAulOgssOEQoxfzA/s1600/P7170761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODng-HcuZEsTuykPe21fIWXm3nNvY3j6I7TUzsQMAlQTq89Z2RuPmJprkJ1IXHtiPfepE1Nw3ajBd7JJ7R0cyVwHlYopxeLd9ZYwQmvrDWbKZWUH5mHkQebn8R2BdSAulOgssOEQoxfzA/s1600/P7170761.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is all on private property! The guy who owns it carved out a staircase through the rock so his kids could get down to the beach below. His kids are grown up now, but he still lets anyone come and see.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7JWY3OXNZvmM09koZnoXdcS-KZlsSTA33iAtXvLVSa8l49S0LRmyXUTDPSW69w_zYzOV5ufOt4uwPXLx9v_o5NpJrU7AyuMs6IiLLGd7AeHP7_svEJUlMa1RVLNi67CgdVr9QCkKjlRb/s1600/P7170771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7JWY3OXNZvmM09koZnoXdcS-KZlsSTA33iAtXvLVSa8l49S0LRmyXUTDPSW69w_zYzOV5ufOt4uwPXLx9v_o5NpJrU7AyuMs6IiLLGd7AeHP7_svEJUlMa1RVLNi67CgdVr9QCkKjlRb/s1600/P7170771.jpg" height="400" style="cursor: move;" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQxPow2lpkdujw5LiN2Hb0J5YVGTiAcWlhdScOhlHGYZlz5VSKJU2oNOL4XeiBpSpzzascAzSzuSScJ8HqIpvfLkwgEhjWo-kG8pHYoCuIMkOFJZRa0AYYWE7T-MCi7SN8lut_416B91V/s1600/P7170801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQxPow2lpkdujw5LiN2Hb0J5YVGTiAcWlhdScOhlHGYZlz5VSKJU2oNOL4XeiBpSpzzascAzSzuSScJ8HqIpvfLkwgEhjWo-kG8pHYoCuIMkOFJZRa0AYYWE7T-MCi7SN8lut_416B91V/s1600/P7170801.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJee0aknkbOiF0o_DmwCUH1aeOtRlKTagEx8I3JVLN-F9mIStTjgiy8RSZ-gkEhmbjysgDdldrR_lwul2vJPHHFogXBHA_5Uv882k8fE4qOmEFDMRpyU7DwXeyhjPFFAVcVB7MDTcrGoVJ/s1600/P7170774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJee0aknkbOiF0o_DmwCUH1aeOtRlKTagEx8I3JVLN-F9mIStTjgiy8RSZ-gkEhmbjysgDdldrR_lwul2vJPHHFogXBHA_5Uv882k8fE4qOmEFDMRpyU7DwXeyhjPFFAVcVB7MDTcrGoVJ/s1600/P7170774.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQF9_wiqcGvf0K6yRnvRRZklDmyH3dm9xhCmWKa5ACOpLlOCWd0d-dsoynFRaaHl7jngUma9Ymsm8ThAs-_uV3TbneY676N7_6KspZpJZUdxD4oTDoBE87X2ZIR7bZOs4l3KfWnqTZtGY/s1600/P7170794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQF9_wiqcGvf0K6yRnvRRZklDmyH3dm9xhCmWKa5ACOpLlOCWd0d-dsoynFRaaHl7jngUma9Ymsm8ThAs-_uV3TbneY676N7_6KspZpJZUdxD4oTDoBE87X2ZIR7bZOs4l3KfWnqTZtGY/s1600/P7170794.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This is me at the top of (what I call) Pride Rock. There are so many places for epic shots here - I just had to take advantage.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPcSZGcR0XamnnB8vPpPKXjlLSZivypN4AdOIq7zulwNHkdpAcdVj878KMQV-iZrhbleAuy3MRL2uanZBzA9KZfqBOV9gI-Dfu-1uw9GmF9walu33YSX6DRccxqTVpm788RA9Y7YLCMJq/s1600/P7170807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPcSZGcR0XamnnB8vPpPKXjlLSZivypN4AdOIq7zulwNHkdpAcdVj878KMQV-iZrhbleAuy3MRL2uanZBzA9KZfqBOV9gI-Dfu-1uw9GmF9walu33YSX6DRccxqTVpm788RA9Y7YLCMJq/s1600/P7170807.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
DUMPLING NIGHT!!!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As promised, Samantha and Catherine taught us how to make Chinese dumplings, which were made vegetarian style with leeks, cabbage, carrots, spring onion, and eggs.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Catherine (left) and Samantha (right). Georgia, my Kiwi host, below.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEr2VSKnxak_duAR9wxY-JAs9UBiPdj9OJMiTTEnnIxXqVPCMHum6o6DFaC_wOqAz6lFCZDx5XJz0iRSGbPBpVHIRGmiJb5dP4FD9UidWQbmyGDWqcS0u-DJ7njvlzGO8hlaVBu_U1o3D/s1600/P7170838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEr2VSKnxak_duAR9wxY-JAs9UBiPdj9OJMiTTEnnIxXqVPCMHum6o6DFaC_wOqAz6lFCZDx5XJz0iRSGbPBpVHIRGmiJb5dP4FD9UidWQbmyGDWqcS0u-DJ7njvlzGO8hlaVBu_U1o3D/s1600/P7170838.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsk1vOEV2-sgwdhCXUlDP6ooCXPv-ZxPvvRRbbd0a_gEli3JH2Vm4Yz51roaZm66eBkJComP3emBcrq63i66daiwl49XhXxZOd5f3qVe3zC_HkQ4Ny3G9ltSx0n61sCWgxgtZA6RjWCAW/s1600/P7170827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsk1vOEV2-sgwdhCXUlDP6ooCXPv-ZxPvvRRbbd0a_gEli3JH2Vm4Yz51roaZm66eBkJComP3emBcrq63i66daiwl49XhXxZOd5f3qVe3zC_HkQ4Ny3G9ltSx0n61sCWgxgtZA6RjWCAW/s1600/P7170827.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOyVT5GYdN2rlzInVejzGbAJC2uB14gQkwPVcShMBmes1SJCgUFy5TIY6vj1wRvCOSVh324KU3qNtdrQUM80PfI02AeCIlj7yAHoOcgltfl1GXh_h7IRLq0v5rq_IFx2ylz9RrgqNh5qo/s1600/P7170855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOyVT5GYdN2rlzInVejzGbAJC2uB14gQkwPVcShMBmes1SJCgUFy5TIY6vj1wRvCOSVh324KU3qNtdrQUM80PfI02AeCIlj7yAHoOcgltfl1GXh_h7IRLq0v5rq_IFx2ylz9RrgqNh5qo/s1600/P7170855.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJ4lCW7flzeyY6rxjC4BlfiW9Yf0Q9CrbjfEnxMeGSzbXFVdW6vkmX8I_VAqxFSHfaWiXup6MAhSkCrb7si00Zk10sf_c8-1ZQKYudMtbFIWiP5RAsd1TIacuspWJOyZPFwnZQVCvPX65/s1600/P7170856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJ4lCW7flzeyY6rxjC4BlfiW9Yf0Q9CrbjfEnxMeGSzbXFVdW6vkmX8I_VAqxFSHfaWiXup6MAhSkCrb7si00Zk10sf_c8-1ZQKYudMtbFIWiP5RAsd1TIacuspWJOyZPFwnZQVCvPX65/s1600/P7170856.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So delicious! Then in return, Georgia and I taught the Chinese girls how to bake cookies (or "biscuits," as they are called here in NZ). It was their first baking experience! </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCoS4VGmtuL2D7t6wRACD9DYnldOPmnoGNwxZIGPjZdAZ1zemBroTNZzcDgUTz73hrH9576iij5d3Khd0t8o3rSkklvN7OVMBCKcA1XEgtvSFfdF76ADpDAo4SB-wlGbJx4gvmiC-gBzqR/s1600/P7180864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCoS4VGmtuL2D7t6wRACD9DYnldOPmnoGNwxZIGPjZdAZ1zemBroTNZzcDgUTz73hrH9576iij5d3Khd0t8o3rSkklvN7OVMBCKcA1XEgtvSFfdF76ADpDAo4SB-wlGbJx4gvmiC-gBzqR/s1600/P7180864.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYeIP6HBqYrad4UQrEmdy6yLYWRwjW6ZC2MOljsIn8hJDUrGyqdjy6FbM-S7zCEkC4yQ6BDSHLn7hTVcMPAOsRv48hsQEETXbhBNcgvRLsKIVdGJ08hTy0lcIVt1psc6nHXGiiEaDzwmoC/s1600/P7180862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYeIP6HBqYrad4UQrEmdy6yLYWRwjW6ZC2MOljsIn8hJDUrGyqdjy6FbM-S7zCEkC4yQ6BDSHLn7hTVcMPAOsRv48hsQEETXbhBNcgvRLsKIVdGJ08hTy0lcIVt1psc6nHXGiiEaDzwmoC/s1600/P7180862.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And then finally, at the end of my long weekend... I found a piece of home in this small Orthodox parish. Number of parishioners? Less than ten. But I was welcomed with open arms.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOGs2OB1AJdiT4g0NXqfnwi8WiqI6P4NcRKbYY7eO9dKCPYToSslo3LG9g7hc48pY4f5sKFGl5KQbGPd6nkcWHJIIcEEqmIs17m5RiMfYDJUAMjZar7qAPfs7JCOFI9kWgzxQOtYUVDFV/s1600/P7180886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOGs2OB1AJdiT4g0NXqfnwi8WiqI6P4NcRKbYY7eO9dKCPYToSslo3LG9g7hc48pY4f5sKFGl5KQbGPd6nkcWHJIIcEEqmIs17m5RiMfYDJUAMjZar7qAPfs7JCOFI9kWgzxQOtYUVDFV/s1600/P7180886.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Life is lived moment by moment. So if carrying around a camera means I can try to capture a few of those moments, then I will do so quite happily! </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Oh, and don't worry, my faithful readers.... my foot still feels great!</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00063429733366997408noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703160593754561243.post-69541466847641375382014-07-14T20:45:00.001+12:002014-07-14T20:46:41.953+12:00Grilled Cheese and BelongingToday was the first clear, sunny day since my first few days in Dunedin - and how nice it was! I love blue skies!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The other highlight of my day was helping Samantha, my flatmate who is from China, make her first grilled cheese sandwich. She was going to microwave the cheese with the bread, but I said, "No, no, no. We're going to do this the proper way."<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So we got out the frying pan and a stick of butter. We buttered up that white bread and let it sizzle, then melted some brie on top. It was a beautiful grilled cheese, if I do say so myself. Crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I also demonstrated for her how to properly eat an American grilled cheese: cut in half and then eaten using hands (not with a knife and fork). Unfortunately, we didn't have any tomato soup to go with it... But it was a fun afternoon. Samantha said she would teach me how to make Chinese dumplings, vegetarian style. Yum!! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Some other highlights from this past week....</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Seeing my first New Zealand beach, St. Claire Beach, which is just five kilometres from the city centre in Dunedin. There were some cute cafés and restaurants looking out on the water. By "some," I mean just three or four.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJxgAwWtGx56NU_ZfgWArE1vHeVnttB88qI4qN4V_RZV-AWugUBlfqWKAqDC59KUQcVwU_ZFHByGz-6h5BowT6HlayHosM8IaRDxazZR1VCtWHBkNjI8SfoMS6D1Ogg4XHAVvLFEGmaYu/s1600/P7110439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJxgAwWtGx56NU_ZfgWArE1vHeVnttB88qI4qN4V_RZV-AWugUBlfqWKAqDC59KUQcVwU_ZFHByGz-6h5BowT6HlayHosM8IaRDxazZR1VCtWHBkNjI8SfoMS6D1Ogg4XHAVvLFEGmaYu/s1600/P7110439.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Beaches here, especially on the South Island, are practically clear of people - at least compared to the southern California beaches I've become accustomed to. Yes, it is winter, but still...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
New Zealand only has 4.43 million people. California has 38.04.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQedjRh3Il95-Mo8cOKXThHOjlDu8NlyGJedGL808FV6FQgTIoj7fyCRSK6Vpp7NuQv7BmzMevtqG4EhK-ZHQ20GatycIj5YaqUeYenQxaaNA7EUbN53PN8TdeNStkrmeeYmwCUllQ6E-J/s1600/P7100430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQedjRh3Il95-Mo8cOKXThHOjlDu8NlyGJedGL808FV6FQgTIoj7fyCRSK6Vpp7NuQv7BmzMevtqG4EhK-ZHQ20GatycIj5YaqUeYenQxaaNA7EUbN53PN8TdeNStkrmeeYmwCUllQ6E-J/s1600/P7100430.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Last Friday I took some time to stroll along George Street and the city centre. Just by myself, to observe and listen. Dunedin is one of New Zealand's oldest cities, settled by the Scottish sometime in the 1800s (hence the architectural influences). I have been told by some of the locals that Dunedin isn't representative of any other NZ town or city.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIXAahhxJao2EoL5dcFQEdkU0pRV7enEg4_FRYBVApO-MeZcwYDBrh_I9zdiUV1wA324nVdVq5cDB6nrf3HksR92CyATt2aCFcfqoGTLWZj0yBPioZCocO5F6eNV0coKAqoCGfXFVKqzv/s1600/P7100406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIXAahhxJao2EoL5dcFQEdkU0pRV7enEg4_FRYBVApO-MeZcwYDBrh_I9zdiUV1wA324nVdVq5cDB6nrf3HksR92CyATt2aCFcfqoGTLWZj0yBPioZCocO5F6eNV0coKAqoCGfXFVKqzv/s1600/P7100406.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfBGF8gnyfEDYtU4Y_sPTzEUcf8asMyYhylaJsyP_mkj2bga0mT8LQsgjE3Obg4E0aKsSQ_eMUgFua3XiysREWO5Juv4lp7h8uYb79CKHXu90QxlGO0KWTzxriGJwV3IXcOOOhsYeDyJu/s1600/P7100381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfBGF8gnyfEDYtU4Y_sPTzEUcf8asMyYhylaJsyP_mkj2bga0mT8LQsgjE3Obg4E0aKsSQ_eMUgFua3XiysREWO5Juv4lp7h8uYb79CKHXu90QxlGO0KWTzxriGJwV3IXcOOOhsYeDyJu/s1600/P7100381.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyzA-DXtpoq7_IiD0eij7-3f_6-EjlgiMSKcZOvxyAs3pKesTcVMTTDJXSCrWrXwCFwYtAKzfsIi5gwK7CLcRGsnt4FmpWN1zXb-JxD_F85YcV4pNO_Z6QVv6auLcPTqA6xkKzcjHV04W/s1600/P7100405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyzA-DXtpoq7_IiD0eij7-3f_6-EjlgiMSKcZOvxyAs3pKesTcVMTTDJXSCrWrXwCFwYtAKzfsIi5gwK7CLcRGsnt4FmpWN1zXb-JxD_F85YcV4pNO_Z6QVv6auLcPTqA6xkKzcjHV04W/s1600/P7100405.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Here's a musician on George Street... I've seen tap dancers, too! Some of them children.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4vA8TrWZNFXLocPgYCFt5Qos6g83AsZa8PX8zmWpnkLTGexGTfPVrJ9jQ_aVe-qVqMPeTTnB_QD_hfA-4dxphc4LUPX1RHivCAjGM_PpfjRcrPbw9AFAyP8XL9EzsKSFlvAn1qqljbvR/s1600/P7100411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4vA8TrWZNFXLocPgYCFt5Qos6g83AsZa8PX8zmWpnkLTGexGTfPVrJ9jQ_aVe-qVqMPeTTnB_QD_hfA-4dxphc4LUPX1RHivCAjGM_PpfjRcrPbw9AFAyP8XL9EzsKSFlvAn1qqljbvR/s1600/P7100411.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Ah, yes, the seagulls. I love them almost as much as the ducks and pigeons, although I admit they are sometimes just as rude as the ones I knew in California. But maybe they're just cranky on some days.... I reckon if I show them enough love, they can change!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
But then again...this seagull in the back of the photo, with the glaring red eyes and frizzled hairdo, doesn't seem to share my enthusiasm...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYv5FKh4WC3khK_6FdtzFMXfWOlDCDJ-ixWI8ZFG38UnWjjOV3yTi6xtCYHNrsVdaVJADkPYSmP_noqkMNKw-i0xk4gZVN9bQZq3QgyS6Wk4Px-QjiqC9A-Y6eULr6gSVyn-TGz386-iX/s1600/P7100394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYv5FKh4WC3khK_6FdtzFMXfWOlDCDJ-ixWI8ZFG38UnWjjOV3yTi6xtCYHNrsVdaVJADkPYSmP_noqkMNKw-i0xk4gZVN9bQZq3QgyS6Wk4Px-QjiqC9A-Y6eULr6gSVyn-TGz386-iX/s1600/P7100394.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I love how the crazy things just watch each other. In my head, I think of the seagulls squawking, "Hey, mate! Hey, mate!" in a Kiwi accent.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8iKzyZZ9-mp5p4DYJY2r6bhZCAsaR7aYC-63QX1xIwFilH-slBtzXZZR-BKg3jLEBPy09XA7uvqhryPN6grwfod4SGYY-_3TWqvCSrcRvoyMhIz2EJmAGmZu11iQYHyLpi2Uco8w7MKQ-/s1600/P7010125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8iKzyZZ9-mp5p4DYJY2r6bhZCAsaR7aYC-63QX1xIwFilH-slBtzXZZR-BKg3jLEBPy09XA7uvqhryPN6grwfod4SGYY-_3TWqvCSrcRvoyMhIz2EJmAGmZu11iQYHyLpi2Uco8w7MKQ-/s1600/P7010125.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Starbucks is taking over the world. Help!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLRqBQHxaLBvEPMrnn7WjlvIpWEhRNhBDzWkBoTQqKUlfWAXaZcflj_2_WRxUgJhpysg4VOnIQdfC5JQaGlpIDq6R-eHpKx8zakiHFjmJahUOI8sThdjG9B7dhg4AhSTt7inyJPeNPUPw/s1600/P7100385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLRqBQHxaLBvEPMrnn7WjlvIpWEhRNhBDzWkBoTQqKUlfWAXaZcflj_2_WRxUgJhpysg4VOnIQdfC5JQaGlpIDq6R-eHpKx8zakiHFjmJahUOI8sThdjG9B7dhg4AhSTt7inyJPeNPUPw/s1600/P7100385.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Then on Saturday night I had the privilege of watching an Okareka Dance Company performance: Mana Wahine. It was an all-female work.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Beautiful, powerful, empowering.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcu3To-2thUIj1KTY02zXZLPJn7jGkEQACzbAIrfB6bnU8KlnbB_usU2lU6Txd2DqIUQNzvMJhi4lMyjd8i7UgsLx2cHXgyIOvTS5U0_nHAqm4sAwUj8hC1ZT8l7ky72NtF7Go5ydQ4ga/s1600/P7110455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcu3To-2thUIj1KTY02zXZLPJn7jGkEQACzbAIrfB6bnU8KlnbB_usU2lU6Txd2DqIUQNzvMJhi4lMyjd8i7UgsLx2cHXgyIOvTS5U0_nHAqm4sAwUj8hC1ZT8l7ky72NtF7Go5ydQ4ga/s1600/P7110455.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In the dance, there were many references to traditional Maori culture. I didn't understand the references, which reinforced the fact that I <i>am</i> a foreigner here. There is, at least right now, a cultural rift. I may speak the same language, but I didn't hear the stories about Papatūānuku as a child. I didn't grow up with a love for the native birds, associating their chirps, calls, and songs with <i>home. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Which begs the question, what is home? What is belonging? At what point, and under what conditions, does a traveller or immigrant become a Kiwi? Or become a part of any culture, for that matter?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
......I don't know how my blog post just went from grilled cheese to the meaning of belonging....But, on that note, I'm going to make some dinner.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Cheers! :)</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00063429733366997408noreply@blogger.com2Dunedin, New Zealand-45.8787605 170.5027976-46.05565 170.1800741 -45.701871 170.8255211tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703160593754561243.post-82243675985356967672014-07-10T10:07:00.000+12:002014-07-10T10:07:40.931+12:00The Sometimes Not-So-Glossy SideStudy abroad blogs are great at portraying the highlights of an experience, but in reality, life still happens. For example, I caught a cold this week. I also found out I have an inflamed tendon (or something) in my right foot, so I've been slightly limping to and from class this week, all the while sniffling from my cold.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My foot just requires "rest," which is a word I am very unfamiliar with. Apparently it means avoiding hiking, long walks, gym workouts, etc. So.......not sure what that leaves me with..... </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Oh...yeah...homework!! Hooray! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
By the time I burnt my hand last night trying to pour a cuppa tea, I just laughed. Because this is life. Up, and down, and sideways. It may not be as glossy as the pictures portray, but I guess with the right attitude there is always something to learn from. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm very excited to be taking classes at this University... I have mostly intro-level classes, which will transfer back to DU as electives: tourism, sociology, and dance. It's been nice to take a break from business classes and get a little artsy!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kS60ZqoQ7DXxu1_kzMGUlmQaBKC_g9U-QAN2NPG2mrAOvhnN0OrFofjzOeYhBaRh8aOo0OQxkJV9l7Lgx1C1Ds-3M67zJ482YHqOE_ot7KRHGBSbe4_BZaFinHwYxU5Gd0UFtsBKmrrk/s1600/P7050334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kS60ZqoQ7DXxu1_kzMGUlmQaBKC_g9U-QAN2NPG2mrAOvhnN0OrFofjzOeYhBaRh8aOo0OQxkJV9l7Lgx1C1Ds-3M67zJ482YHqOE_ot7KRHGBSbe4_BZaFinHwYxU5Gd0UFtsBKmrrk/s1600/P7050334.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00063429733366997408noreply@blogger.com2Dunedin, New Zealand-45.8787605 170.5027976-46.05565 170.1800741 -45.701871 170.8255211tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703160593754561243.post-82710208134856365512014-07-07T16:00:00.000+12:002014-08-15T14:01:07.630+12:00Look! Ducks! <div style="text-align: justify;">
"You like a lot of things, don't you?" </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At least two of my friends have asked me this in the past week, so I guess they caught on to me fast. I'm like a little kid. I will point out all the little things that I see and find interesting, fascinating, beautiful, new, and/or amusing. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Like this awesome plant. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsVv_acBGOWexTKdk2kQufAKJ40g_PQkoRhO6BJIlt8wmtW7N5Lg6Q_wxPxNghHqIGyII0UOVkHYzXvOYu5j0AGu6UuhrPeQ9y1DdKyzpVrxeYkuOcZ8yYC9YRQ51vLnvziLRGLWsLOH1/s1600/P7050180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsVv_acBGOWexTKdk2kQufAKJ40g_PQkoRhO6BJIlt8wmtW7N5Lg6Q_wxPxNghHqIGyII0UOVkHYzXvOYu5j0AGu6UuhrPeQ9y1DdKyzpVrxeYkuOcZ8yYC9YRQ51vLnvziLRGLWsLOH1/s1600/P7050180.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Or this bench. (Moss and lichens really do fascinate me...)<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMX20qmGt7PGMB0NIJ3xXPJhRArvR0o_5Y4Pbpv9lhBEnrat7m0MC2x5ecUSmnfl-jebS7omJ5MfgxIr0Is4X6p27KChmqMI33nI-VoX8IEHIgdUmMy3WGwG-KDIp-EsRZvWUV4Fw8dvS/s1600/P7050274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMX20qmGt7PGMB0NIJ3xXPJhRArvR0o_5Y4Pbpv9lhBEnrat7m0MC2x5ecUSmnfl-jebS7omJ5MfgxIr0Is4X6p27KChmqMI33nI-VoX8IEHIgdUmMy3WGwG-KDIp-EsRZvWUV4Fw8dvS/s1600/P7050274.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Or this tree trunk. I will literally say something like, "Hey! Look at this awesome tree!" Just in case someone else failed to notice it...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MmX_4a33iiAIHjEWMhRXl6T2hrb0vDTIHNpOHx6dW-rJoMYS7j6C68arxcIrqIprtJfaNfZ6ZjfRx-BIYGXF4QjBnfnD8QJi8pBJy3ZdpAdZJDEgrULAUerG2pI7qroxpP3KOPJEuLNi/s1600/P7050331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MmX_4a33iiAIHjEWMhRXl6T2hrb0vDTIHNpOHx6dW-rJoMYS7j6C68arxcIrqIprtJfaNfZ6ZjfRx-BIYGXF4QjBnfnD8QJi8pBJy3ZdpAdZJDEgrULAUerG2pI7qroxpP3KOPJEuLNi/s1600/P7050331.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But today, what I really liked was this adorable duck pond at the botanical gardens. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjyTBSlMsNlRsSeDuCN78UvEOAG6h8ldhRZzw9zjai5lAgi4FptJs7WUb_BsdqL-_bVEd-Yl1ya9M4L3QmfaBE4I6xBhvfab4frt3KsBQ_Se7cVkohyphenhyphenZiKlOh33czyU6lpu0X6SmpMbwKj/s1600/P7050192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjyTBSlMsNlRsSeDuCN78UvEOAG6h8ldhRZzw9zjai5lAgi4FptJs7WUb_BsdqL-_bVEd-Yl1ya9M4L3QmfaBE4I6xBhvfab4frt3KsBQ_Se7cVkohyphenhyphenZiKlOh33czyU6lpu0X6SmpMbwKj/s1600/P7050192.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="text-align: justify;">Speaking of which, I have developed a strange love for ducks while I've been here... </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIk3l48zXy3wnPQU_zY3PTdMkxLJhf99QDx-gFnVA3WYq1O1dRhrh4BRqW8szoJueIU5ogh331egoY7GaDiCA3iHz4DKt2fH8fDdkIz83hAxNpRdnyQ-HRo9gDVQa6gh74KlaZWv32DhyC/s1600/P7050216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIk3l48zXy3wnPQU_zY3PTdMkxLJhf99QDx-gFnVA3WYq1O1dRhrh4BRqW8szoJueIU5ogh331egoY7GaDiCA3iHz4DKt2fH8fDdkIz83hAxNpRdnyQ-HRo9gDVQa6gh74KlaZWv32DhyC/s1600/P7050216.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosuYpKSjE1XPl3Ixj-s8D-EqJqh_NtcLi1Kdw5t8caGHcSNshD7ujDqq7A2ZrfC2VzTY740KgWb9RHPMfDJvHY_TjtZUx8pQPlKDFYn0eAx2zOJrKTg08-LdBIgskZMWJi1KMF_88lYTy/s1600/P7050200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosuYpKSjE1XPl3Ixj-s8D-EqJqh_NtcLi1Kdw5t8caGHcSNshD7ujDqq7A2ZrfC2VzTY740KgWb9RHPMfDJvHY_TjtZUx8pQPlKDFYn0eAx2zOJrKTg08-LdBIgskZMWJi1KMF_88lYTy/s1600/P7050200.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
They're just too funny. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Today my friends and I got to feed the ducks some granola...very exciting!!! But I'm not sure who was more excited - the ducks or me. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZXOwuTdk2CV12SdK9xYj8HBK3T0SbYkYimZsO4rw6UK-5E-M9QfsovBnynT0x5erIgh9ikccpk5NVbL7cm4K9AFjBZ7eTgOWySqdtJG-iI56KE8sNS_IAcE3_I03ygvM9C6t-d-J4IA2/s1600/P7050229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZXOwuTdk2CV12SdK9xYj8HBK3T0SbYkYimZsO4rw6UK-5E-M9QfsovBnynT0x5erIgh9ikccpk5NVbL7cm4K9AFjBZ7eTgOWySqdtJG-iI56KE8sNS_IAcE3_I03ygvM9C6t-d-J4IA2/s1600/P7050229.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The pigeon just looks cross. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSI_VoBXydsg8fU1NfJ5wwmG6_Diqx-wItRa72CKKArcxW_HNYp4XDMqJHO2Euj1cQmzDuCO7wATieTUx1jXTQb5PGgvKueRmySmBcIOx-nYExhGHKsKt2-ocfowMSmfBcc81Q-dxrtdzZ/s1600/P7050231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSI_VoBXydsg8fU1NfJ5wwmG6_Diqx-wItRa72CKKArcxW_HNYp4XDMqJHO2Euj1cQmzDuCO7wATieTUx1jXTQb5PGgvKueRmySmBcIOx-nYExhGHKsKt2-ocfowMSmfBcc81Q-dxrtdzZ/s1600/P7050231.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So yes, I like ducks. Just be thankful I spared you from the thirty or forty other photos I took... </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Actually, in some ways, today was less about the ducks and more about the people. I enjoyed observing other people interacting with the ducks and pigeons -- it's therapeutic for some, exhilarating for others (like me). But it just amazed me that something as simple as a duck pond could reconnect people with nature and bring out the human in all of us.<br />
<br />
<span style="text-align: start;">New Zealanders seem to have a deep love and appreciation for their land, scenery, and wildlife... And I think it's contagious. </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2jCu1Pralf0Ac35qgSvn0gGehpLBTRKHJ0ZPiFsoyS4ckpnYrvzcJr1CrMixdxKIVWbHQRR6eB-_rjPBpgUPkZoWB9z9vTy0KnAI2ac9GHiagmQdHwVJ0ZlNsLnwJDS6kczfUcRF_E6L/s1600/P7050181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2jCu1Pralf0Ac35qgSvn0gGehpLBTRKHJ0ZPiFsoyS4ckpnYrvzcJr1CrMixdxKIVWbHQRR6eB-_rjPBpgUPkZoWB9z9vTy0KnAI2ac9GHiagmQdHwVJ0ZlNsLnwJDS6kczfUcRF_E6L/s1600/P7050181.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixSfP0GmBYGs80UBbREDA7AQg8HCI6AV_IFJb2s_qMcMLrJ2RSC_UiHut7GelFMy3DLk-Fxab_d8mNfaPoKviUTJHw5eokq8vrD6g66yKac4h_l2FLbNDJQ5MdC-1-G12KDvMEd48oIA8x/s1600/P7050199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixSfP0GmBYGs80UBbREDA7AQg8HCI6AV_IFJb2s_qMcMLrJ2RSC_UiHut7GelFMy3DLk-Fxab_d8mNfaPoKviUTJHw5eokq8vrD6g66yKac4h_l2FLbNDJQ5MdC-1-G12KDvMEd48oIA8x/s1600/P7050199.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtbpNnqu6rm4JlwYcLSLYCWb7sG_HemUora10YmVhjMM2vJqhTAd7XmwyzakNYnmrM5mVhUemjDz-kvEr7ULLO6iplNDWtd4bKqXren3p8KJz5ISKc19BbdMEGK0rpYggXfub9cNrbrYH/s1600/P7050224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtbpNnqu6rm4JlwYcLSLYCWb7sG_HemUora10YmVhjMM2vJqhTAd7XmwyzakNYnmrM5mVhUemjDz-kvEr7ULLO6iplNDWtd4bKqXren3p8KJz5ISKc19BbdMEGK0rpYggXfub9cNrbrYH/s1600/P7050224.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0roz4fgxJFUqII2fCvWbX4sb-v4YwhaOi-M2fzoQXEZVt1qtqQWkIgx8KSFX6_W2CrPHo-XBT6fcwrK2uV_qb4KUB_SIvNsUnlIg3H0003a6WCSKtxrbV6bZLUMStQc5gEf8-WNs4DE1/s1600/P7050213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0roz4fgxJFUqII2fCvWbX4sb-v4YwhaOi-M2fzoQXEZVt1qtqQWkIgx8KSFX6_W2CrPHo-XBT6fcwrK2uV_qb4KUB_SIvNsUnlIg3H0003a6WCSKtxrbV6bZLUMStQc5gEf8-WNs4DE1/s1600/P7050213.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00063429733366997408noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703160593754561243.post-22179627350051487882014-07-06T11:00:00.000+12:002014-07-06T21:06:13.036+12:00Cafés and Farmers Markets<div style="text-align: justify;">
I went to the Otago Farmers Market today -- absolutely charming. <span style="text-align: start;">Every Saturday, year round, come rain or come shine, this farmers market will be set up, right next to the Historic Dunedin Railway Station.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I loved that the locals would get up early and trudge through the cold, wet rain to support their Kiwi farmers and stock up on their produce, meats, eggs, and cheese for the week -- not to mention honey, chocolate, muesli, hummus, breads, and New Zealand whiskey. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVamGFsvhmSoSfMNRjTybekAAVIQLPRpVmCgHQhEb4d9oj7egzvrv4pZ9ym62EUu-zBrjep715lnpf0JH-z6NkGXpdpqlFVMX79AePMSpNjZlaZGtvEQzy5c-5brMuRm1bi4jv2ANW2gow/s1600/P7030165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVamGFsvhmSoSfMNRjTybekAAVIQLPRpVmCgHQhEb4d9oj7egzvrv4pZ9ym62EUu-zBrjep715lnpf0JH-z6NkGXpdpqlFVMX79AePMSpNjZlaZGtvEQzy5c-5brMuRm1bi4jv2ANW2gow/s1600/P7030165.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There was the folk singer with his guitar. There were booths selling hot coffee, porridge, crepes, soups, bagels, and churros. A great place for breakfast, no?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
After the farmers market I went to a warm café with some lady friends to enjoy a "flat white" (which is like a cappuccino but with a higher proportion of coffee) and a date scone. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
I know coffee is a very cliché study abroad picture to post....but I should be entitled to post at least one, right? </div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDE-cr_la6wnk1FYARBdc5Je-USyhZvb_u-JcqG-x7G5nSduukptNAFXFWZZn8MY9mEa3zIusL9CjF67aIrSjbxIV0e1ZHFX3o8VS02SZ_x7rBdE7R1BMkB547NuH5EzztV0LFIjxXnykf/s1600/P7030169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDE-cr_la6wnk1FYARBdc5Je-USyhZvb_u-JcqG-x7G5nSduukptNAFXFWZZn8MY9mEa3zIusL9CjF67aIrSjbxIV0e1ZHFX3o8VS02SZ_x7rBdE7R1BMkB547NuH5EzztV0LFIjxXnykf/s1600/P7030169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDE-cr_la6wnk1FYARBdc5Je-USyhZvb_u-JcqG-x7G5nSduukptNAFXFWZZn8MY9mEa3zIusL9CjF67aIrSjbxIV0e1ZHFX3o8VS02SZ_x7rBdE7R1BMkB547NuH5EzztV0LFIjxXnykf/s1600/P7030169.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<br />
<div>
I hope everyone had a fun and safe Fourth of July! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00063429733366997408noreply@blogger.com0Dunedin, New Zealand-45.8787605 170.5027976-46.05565 170.1800741 -45.701871 170.8255211tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703160593754561243.post-34854751436021162072014-07-04T17:30:00.000+12:002014-08-21T12:21:03.944+12:00My Playgrounds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Going hiking today wasn't initially in my plans. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
In fact, I had just finished taking a shower and was enjoying some hot tea when my friend Jay Jay popped his head into my flat and asked if I wanted to go on a hike this afternoon... Five minutes later, I had already laced up my hiking boots, thrown on an extra jacket, and was grabbing a bag of trail mix. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Then, on our way to the Nichols Falls Track I discovered the playground of my dreams... </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xT_rLFrpfS8eIfiRXgf9o2OFJ9v-mL4ewM7KWACPtOow1pbI-KVdTw82pr8joG30V3tMpRH78fr3M9MEihUjtOl2KQWkFBoTw24OlGbuJZFzOLGEQjX4om69Bp-RvZRlvFKY8QatfiLH/s1600/P7020128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xT_rLFrpfS8eIfiRXgf9o2OFJ9v-mL4ewM7KWACPtOow1pbI-KVdTw82pr8joG30V3tMpRH78fr3M9MEihUjtOl2KQWkFBoTw24OlGbuJZFzOLGEQjX4om69Bp-RvZRlvFKY8QatfiLH/s1600/P7020128.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i>I will come back for you, playground... And those swings will be mine.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
So instead of taking the usual track to get to Nichols Falls (aka, the well-maintained tourist track), we hopped from rock to rock going upstream, ducking under branches and crawling over fallen tree trunks.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6FpZa80U3NpPLISJg6iUTOiwJRLMqDILNVaPdYyNXhTuSW3k2nT5lTWQzw_kQ6n6QjPgEQpSgCsNTjLISqGY-_tmDAos6SoprrKZDWKY7GVq-x5Zr00gKCuHUkLRFpYVIT1QQgU7hu8m/s1600/P7020136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6FpZa80U3NpPLISJg6iUTOiwJRLMqDILNVaPdYyNXhTuSW3k2nT5lTWQzw_kQ6n6QjPgEQpSgCsNTjLISqGY-_tmDAos6SoprrKZDWKY7GVq-x5Zr00gKCuHUkLRFpYVIT1QQgU7hu8m/s1600/P7020136.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
...Because who needs trails?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMlIksnGDjvoOfSmfoqAele-Y2m7pQXefztIbi7h9_sKLnEkEpOJuMQtuYD4n0DV9QLf9equPRQLRY96Artg7Lbti_qbk36Vp3546poaRsH6uZximO7200wPbUj7EePcZMVcUqDW17uIx/s1600/P7020134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMlIksnGDjvoOfSmfoqAele-Y2m7pQXefztIbi7h9_sKLnEkEpOJuMQtuYD4n0DV9QLf9equPRQLRY96Artg7Lbti_qbk36Vp3546poaRsH6uZximO7200wPbUj7EePcZMVcUqDW17uIx/s1600/P7020134.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The weather was relatively cold today (surprise, surprise), but at least it was clean and crisp. And everything was green, wet, and mossy - something I have never had the chance to experience before, with the exception of a zoo exhibit. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUobhVxLQxTP3UzdCQEAtEQEssxKWuqVb7_Lj6GoI7g819j-k8ezaRSDbyByhbefO_F0AN3g7OICizXTkdk6Pd4Gj91ITDUtVEdyWYHo0fhZWCS_EHpKES5W1sR8npULj8jy3SpBbVw1R/s1600/P7020131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUobhVxLQxTP3UzdCQEAtEQEssxKWuqVb7_Lj6GoI7g819j-k8ezaRSDbyByhbefO_F0AN3g7OICizXTkdk6Pd4Gj91ITDUtVEdyWYHo0fhZWCS_EHpKES5W1sR8npULj8jy3SpBbVw1R/s1600/P7020131.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
It was definitely my kind of playground. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I am also very happy that I bought a waterproof, shatterproof, Abreana-proof camera - without which I would not have been able to take these pictures. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZihOrz2EwSjoOkZMhUHFqXXUwpmNUprsPvbiB2y3_0TcmI3ln_rzR_xvfjJNHHeew0qU8BpRDO5F9cbasltGhNQyBJEbSiH0eV7PRlje4xVJPbT5cJOIeY1Dr7ZB_r4cZLWHCXKhtAjd/s1600/P7020144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZihOrz2EwSjoOkZMhUHFqXXUwpmNUprsPvbiB2y3_0TcmI3ln_rzR_xvfjJNHHeew0qU8BpRDO5F9cbasltGhNQyBJEbSiH0eV7PRlje4xVJPbT5cJOIeY1Dr7ZB_r4cZLWHCXKhtAjd/s1600/P7020144.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
At 15 m high, Nichols Falls isn't the grandest waterfall in New Zealand (most are at least a couple hundred meters high, if not 700 or 800 m), but it was charming and refreshing nonetheless... </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjUmqjzQIBlGwbad_nV9Gd8d4jVubU4VJd5ZtRoblI8q3FzAhKPcwwNqzFdk9XsL06fldIrrgBi4cjkQRNzYGqBSZYqktdY8bByNGiR53a9S1igTOjK49e64m8uak7JNUTjN4hqGw-iHhu/s1600/P7020152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjUmqjzQIBlGwbad_nV9Gd8d4jVubU4VJd5ZtRoblI8q3FzAhKPcwwNqzFdk9XsL06fldIrrgBi4cjkQRNzYGqBSZYqktdY8bByNGiR53a9S1igTOjK49e64m8uak7JNUTjN4hqGw-iHhu/s1600/P7020152.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Well...okay...it was breathtaking and incredible.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJkbxua-CGawAsVqy40iheSrSFjebVwdPB6cNvoPcyDVKqnkMwXTYMrH-rWJCLpg_U1blh72iNZYYOqo_byy5kWCcgziB8-HuTvBO6eQEGUfO1s12kf0zOMupy_HSR7rRHcTwmNnClwHI/s1600/P7020160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJkbxua-CGawAsVqy40iheSrSFjebVwdPB6cNvoPcyDVKqnkMwXTYMrH-rWJCLpg_U1blh72iNZYYOqo_byy5kWCcgziB8-HuTvBO6eQEGUfO1s12kf0zOMupy_HSR7rRHcTwmNnClwHI/s1600/P7020160.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Oh, and this is my hiking buddy Jay Jay!</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnSkjs9uLWyx_0caQfLbjJT-vZG2yOVCj4l5cjsKRmFF4wVrhQ6Mi_sBUFfVkAl9uOsK2xQefmAgV_PyHGn_nF_kn3TGqX7L3sjqQv-8oqY00VApPi_YkU-2KKEJv0Og0WvLRZZ97thZ3/s1600/P7020158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnSkjs9uLWyx_0caQfLbjJT-vZG2yOVCj4l5cjsKRmFF4wVrhQ6Mi_sBUFfVkAl9uOsK2xQefmAgV_PyHGn_nF_kn3TGqX7L3sjqQv-8oqY00VApPi_YkU-2KKEJv0Og0WvLRZZ97thZ3/s1600/P7020158.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I felt a little sad knowing my hiking buddy back home wasn't here to experience this awesome hike with me. I have met many incredible people since arriving in New Zealand, but real friendships take time to nurture and develop, and sometimes I get impatient. I miss the ease I can slip into a friendship at home, with the comfort and security of already knowing and caring for the other person. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The good news is I can be my own best friend, so to speak. I can enjoy the company of other people without depending on them to fulfill or complete my study abroad experience -- because at the end of the day that's my responsibility. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
On that note... I am excited to announce that I signed up for a handful of horseback riding lessons! It's something I have wanted to try for years, and the Student Association at the Uni of Otago had a great deal for students. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I think I have just embraced the fact that I'm going to come home in December broke with an empty bank account, but rich in experiences and the stuff that really counts. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00063429733366997408noreply@blogger.com0Nichols Falls Track, Glenleith, Dunedin 9010, New Zealand-45.8316811 170.49836040000002-45.8344471 170.49331790000002 -45.828915099999996 170.50340290000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703160593754561243.post-23589317679122967232014-07-02T03:30:00.000+12:002014-07-03T09:41:26.504+12:00Itching to Hike<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Ahhhh, this is better. This is what I came to New Zealand
for.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwyzgdDqjxm0uRtL_TAkSPyTaAQez54JzOuwoAXp8gat4FrduBf-8hPGdNWM3VRLBgdmTxHp18zkj80z4a-DpAh4XgqmLK76PHB0b9eZWsiO1Sntzd1HPaz8eMdB1hUm0uA6x_12nHGsH/s1600/Untitled7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwyzgdDqjxm0uRtL_TAkSPyTaAQez54JzOuwoAXp8gat4FrduBf-8hPGdNWM3VRLBgdmTxHp18zkj80z4a-DpAh4XgqmLK76PHB0b9eZWsiO1Sntzd1HPaz8eMdB1hUm0uA6x_12nHGsH/s1600/Untitled7.png" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I had only been here two days before I got the itch to get
on a hike.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
There are over a hundred walking trails around Dunedin that
I want to take advantage of. So when one of my “complex mates” said he was
going on a local hike, I jumped at the opportunity to tag along.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSki1gIDdIhwuT5GcDZ0EHBdVxEjPDu9LWyGrnUjYSboBXUYvTTRrPzhIjjMRg25qJUCoOXIoHx1iqSoWKvRRM-AkeJ8NgDgimDWZWD68lBK82SWkGxTsaMc6I8lP4Qt52xU09tK4pCyV/s1600/Untitled8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSki1gIDdIhwuT5GcDZ0EHBdVxEjPDu9LWyGrnUjYSboBXUYvTTRrPzhIjjMRg25qJUCoOXIoHx1iqSoWKvRRM-AkeJ8NgDgimDWZWD68lBK82SWkGxTsaMc6I8lP4Qt52xU09tK4pCyV/s1600/Untitled8.png" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
What astonishes me is that these walks are mere minutes from
the Dunedin city centre. It took half an hour for us to walk from our flat to
the trailhead. I saw people going for their evening runs and walking their dogs
– you know, just living a day in the life – in what looks like a slice of
Middle Earth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I hate to use the word “magical,” but that’s the word that
comes to mind.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqm5wykSgn7eiroR9mnNNEeWXgSCi73zXykuSnlQNGBGuCKdESMBsKifB68nTh09Lmreo7e-pBiankN2imejv3jtAAwjwncTLSfzhtwnJDFMdCiOt0LSSCxfeuB0Ll-bxnRfcTbBrRExb/s1600/Untitled9.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqm5wykSgn7eiroR9mnNNEeWXgSCi73zXykuSnlQNGBGuCKdESMBsKifB68nTh09Lmreo7e-pBiankN2imejv3jtAAwjwncTLSfzhtwnJDFMdCiOt0LSSCxfeuB0Ll-bxnRfcTbBrRExb/s1600/Untitled9.png" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbmYOoD-TOH_JNNDxPlsV2jBg5vRVOeOPZ2v7J7qEXS-8uQTLyIVn_rPwewXSs34PC1FzekPagD3Dhjh120-wA8z6rPIFSqKWjtZAz06nt1D2YKP6praLvYjewDE9vTnwA0WtnFdQr-sW/s1600/Untitled10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbmYOoD-TOH_JNNDxPlsV2jBg5vRVOeOPZ2v7J7qEXS-8uQTLyIVn_rPwewXSs34PC1FzekPagD3Dhjh120-wA8z6rPIFSqKWjtZAz06nt1D2YKP6praLvYjewDE9vTnwA0WtnFdQr-sW/s1600/Untitled10.png" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I’m a subpar photographer, and was trying to take some of
these pictures as we were walking (hence the occasional blurriness), because we
wanted to get back before it got dark.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigIP3LA4zwymgKstW_9jdReEETyZLXPWWuuJHyro5A4_Bv2H8JsmA7eIyCMEKSGYY7oaCAylHQXRhFvZInyET3LoGNDABj_aiy0KWql-aq_zgZ32DH8QdfZ94iu0Th2yrsrynZsZZ3cRFc/s1600/Untitled11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigIP3LA4zwymgKstW_9jdReEETyZLXPWWuuJHyro5A4_Bv2H8JsmA7eIyCMEKSGYY7oaCAylHQXRhFvZInyET3LoGNDABj_aiy0KWql-aq_zgZ32DH8QdfZ94iu0Th2yrsrynZsZZ3cRFc/s1600/Untitled11.png" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfyiU2cpDna1UN3kJIyzQ-cCemAaywKa6E5SQz-iH-bxTfBA0aDo-1W6vqVYYcZXCyFL2wBwZXM2q9aetbz0JA41cbwJBK7H3W-wSMzrEs-RRz2xWoQYnnpaPDgCn66YA7_C7bgbcsg-7/s1600/Untitled12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfyiU2cpDna1UN3kJIyzQ-cCemAaywKa6E5SQz-iH-bxTfBA0aDo-1W6vqVYYcZXCyFL2wBwZXM2q9aetbz0JA41cbwJBK7H3W-wSMzrEs-RRz2xWoQYnnpaPDgCn66YA7_C7bgbcsg-7/s1600/Untitled12.png" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOKTzHcojiWWUd4_GrwsA6kANcpoNLGAqQOlP5ehHHPk3MJs4k7t6v0lHbyftrr2icbpA7RLjgRgWWtTeGWMhXS21Ub6f4wXitD0vGu9D46U8xhRLsty6Xdx6vxXtWvWF3vlti0FRtkIy/s1600/Untitled13.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOKTzHcojiWWUd4_GrwsA6kANcpoNLGAqQOlP5ehHHPk3MJs4k7t6v0lHbyftrr2icbpA7RLjgRgWWtTeGWMhXS21Ub6f4wXitD0vGu9D46U8xhRLsty6Xdx6vxXtWvWF3vlti0FRtkIy/s1600/Untitled13.png" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
There were so many trees I hadn’t seen before! This next one
was my favorite. It was ginormus – by far the biggest tree I’ve ever seen. I
wanted to give it a hug, but I was so in awe it almost seemed inappropriate.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3X_4YvSPR6sacSDEn6mJzJbW25M9NcrlL6e93DGkmuOGqIHgqROFxE2rf2t2nk1QK9rx0Vy4aHtyJ4xo5CCVuMd__SnhBZCtffyYfeYoo6bX-r-1T9aY4TNOwySgIXr-5bOc8uC2XS6T/s1600/Untitled14.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3X_4YvSPR6sacSDEn6mJzJbW25M9NcrlL6e93DGkmuOGqIHgqROFxE2rf2t2nk1QK9rx0Vy4aHtyJ4xo5CCVuMd__SnhBZCtffyYfeYoo6bX-r-1T9aY4TNOwySgIXr-5bOc8uC2XS6T/s1600/Untitled14.png" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Seeing these happy ducks made me happy, too.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMDuTLyEFwdnSOW-jJFBLvY9buSiSXdWXBBgQpyRbtCF4JWkAzSDfZTt7rh5OxbLtgv90eqGPxvfuGKPUcC2lbwT7ZqusSQjnK3vGZrJPzoc5EDS2SKtNntUlOTepZhdHkgAMzuqUw5uN/s1600/Untitled15.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMDuTLyEFwdnSOW-jJFBLvY9buSiSXdWXBBgQpyRbtCF4JWkAzSDfZTt7rh5OxbLtgv90eqGPxvfuGKPUcC2lbwT7ZqusSQjnK3vGZrJPzoc5EDS2SKtNntUlOTepZhdHkgAMzuqUw5uN/s1600/Untitled15.png" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Here’s a view of the city, from some halfway point up the
hill.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCoMVvnH5-5bdL9luGH21zyS8eMeBDhIU2qliRYLGgeD_K67Dez6susSIUpyBYf6-dm_3yiGAtd0BtF5BpjEs6lux01VjloUORJo7bws9wxNpifiiUxm7z5qVw5TkDtJ4AKs-kT4nR7BUe/s1600/Untitled16.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCoMVvnH5-5bdL9luGH21zyS8eMeBDhIU2qliRYLGgeD_K67Dez6susSIUpyBYf6-dm_3yiGAtd0BtF5BpjEs6lux01VjloUORJo7bws9wxNpifiiUxm7z5qVw5TkDtJ4AKs-kT4nR7BUe/s1600/Untitled16.png" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
This is me…clearly. And behind me are a dozen of other hills
for me to explore over the next few months.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQOUtIC73YAZAjmz4KL3OFs8Q96fi_zILaDU0z6AkdQz1jKCPOMfaA18KpKPEqpjbgN5k8KXwxNXy6GSOy4dJMcWBwXDdP5MOSjrsqgskGag0kNYo98s9F6puHB1NopaQcmhYvkxeK0UU/s1600/Untitled17.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQOUtIC73YAZAjmz4KL3OFs8Q96fi_zILaDU0z6AkdQz1jKCPOMfaA18KpKPEqpjbgN5k8KXwxNXy6GSOy4dJMcWBwXDdP5MOSjrsqgskGag0kNYo98s9F6puHB1NopaQcmhYvkxeK0UU/s1600/Untitled17.png" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
…Did you catch that? These are
Dunedin’s hills. These make for great half-day walks. What blows
my mind is New Zealand also has nine Great Walks,which can take
several days to cover on foot.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
There’s so much to explore it’s almost overwhelming. But in
the best possible way.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00063429733366997408noreply@blogger.com0Dunedin, New Zealand-45.8787605 170.5027976-46.05565 170.1800741 -45.701871 170.8255211tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703160593754561243.post-61028341991105023712014-06-30T17:30:00.000+12:002014-08-15T14:04:44.200+12:00Greetings from New Zealand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
After four flights and over thirty hours of travel time, I
finally made it to my flat in Dunedin!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I was absolutely ecstatic as we were riding from the airport
to the flat office. Window down, arm hanging and head popping out the window —
I felt like a dog! Here are some pictures I took. See if you can spot the sheep
in the second picture. (There are more sheep than there are people in New
Zealand.)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-NteMA98NikbAs1RX9MNpPCU2KVfbmWub0nQrFMuONsDlXI8IeRpn54pcEdWmMtC_mIymYmy4MejBRl46LgHWs3Tmk0X32fTTEClL9cMu93y7-wGYvRaoA8fNurRaJJPzDoDFSkXlApB/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-NteMA98NikbAs1RX9MNpPCU2KVfbmWub0nQrFMuONsDlXI8IeRpn54pcEdWmMtC_mIymYmy4MejBRl46LgHWs3Tmk0X32fTTEClL9cMu93y7-wGYvRaoA8fNurRaJJPzDoDFSkXlApB/s1600/Untitled.png" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9iUd60A3CDFYoVkDfkiPoMkhorfQOQifnf0z8wIbePqws_z4CxbqQHH2E4S34cPVr1DdLorjZExjkuUPiS6_y_n_G01njRSUfgoJcnfgV_lzYONBoY1LRBjcsTG1HidI9cWu2DLlcj8C/s1600/Untitled2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9iUd60A3CDFYoVkDfkiPoMkhorfQOQifnf0z8wIbePqws_z4CxbqQHH2E4S34cPVr1DdLorjZExjkuUPiS6_y_n_G01njRSUfgoJcnfgV_lzYONBoY1LRBjcsTG1HidI9cWu2DLlcj8C/s1600/Untitled2.png" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2T8bLra9TNwfigbvGqTFYg3WWD_E4D1uQHqDOHHHaA52KtxtBfK1MYdR1dJirN_VoYONWmovpxZqaLow6WSMUI_Zr5IDmw3zrci0AkK4CA_HB2_IQ2rNCgfNHv7bV41cDEVcxVXaSPO7N/s1600/Untitled3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2T8bLra9TNwfigbvGqTFYg3WWD_E4D1uQHqDOHHHaA52KtxtBfK1MYdR1dJirN_VoYONWmovpxZqaLow6WSMUI_Zr5IDmw3zrci0AkK4CA_HB2_IQ2rNCgfNHv7bV41cDEVcxVXaSPO7N/s1600/Untitled3.png" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My first thought was, “This is what they call winter??
It’s so green.” I actually laughed at them. But then the sun set…</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<o:p></o:p>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Forget about culture shock – how about weather shock??<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
For those who know me, you know I hike Colorado mountains in
a tank top and wear my beloved Chacos in all weather conditions. Well, to put
things in perspective, this morning I wore two jackets, jeans, and my
sneakers. And for the first time in..I don’t know how many years…my body didn’t
overheat.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Being inside feels almost as cold as outside. Last night I
slept with 2 pairs of socks, 2 layers of sweat pants, and 3 shirts/jackets…and
I was still cold. (Pretty sure my room gets below 60 degrees Fahrenheit at
night.) So the first thing I did this morning was buy flannel underwear and a
hot water bottle.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
But enough complaining, because this was the view from my
bedroom window this frosty morning…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULUcpmGF2R2M0m4QxeWTHfoCDBBZp8RxDTIrIX0Ln-GPEPXITBR0Schyn9X53O2lc2eTeXcjZT76k9zjAYVXKR-Q-uBUBUn24uIP-_jDnC8wjONqT6Vh6HquBPf6zPPvQ67J7pP1xM866/s1600/Untitled4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULUcpmGF2R2M0m4QxeWTHfoCDBBZp8RxDTIrIX0Ln-GPEPXITBR0Schyn9X53O2lc2eTeXcjZT76k9zjAYVXKR-Q-uBUBUn24uIP-_jDnC8wjONqT6Vh6HquBPf6zPPvQ67J7pP1xM866/s1600/Untitled4.png" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
It was my first sunrise in New Zealand… New Zealand,
guys…And that’s pretty damn exciting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
So I’ve spent the last day and a half getting acclimated —
or rather, spending money. Groceries, phone, bedding, etc. Things are quite
expensive here, but at least the currency is rainbow colored and highlighted
with native birds.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj275XU-HoypdfYRMjFSV_AreVG-D3fPonvpTsLQhnC-HqTRb7VMDACtKd0l1icODwsrZAqTAzle3jOpQNiqhf9mxP63BcPacI-8CAhe7IVVA2EIL8WSG0TFfTcCMbnmhQnkkx2_3e_3KGB/s1600/Untitled5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj275XU-HoypdfYRMjFSV_AreVG-D3fPonvpTsLQhnC-HqTRb7VMDACtKd0l1icODwsrZAqTAzle3jOpQNiqhf9mxP63BcPacI-8CAhe7IVVA2EIL8WSG0TFfTcCMbnmhQnkkx2_3e_3KGB/s1600/Untitled5.png" height="295" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Some random observations/thoughts/experiences I’ve had so
far:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
1. I love the Kiwi accent! It’s like a
British-Australian-Scottish accent, but still uniquely New Zealand.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
2. Yes, the toilet water does swirl counter-clockwise when
it’s flushed. (This one is for my brothers.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
3. Right away, I found the need to start walking on the left
side of the sidewalk to avoid running into people.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
4. Also on that note, I am re-training myself how to cross
the street (Preschool style)… “Look right, left, then right again.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
5. My Google, Facebook, and Spotify ads are all tailored to
my new location. This clearly isn’t an earth-shattering discovery, but it was
just a random life detail (normally taken for granted) that I guess I wasn’t
expecting to change so effortlessly. Google probably knew I was in New Zealand
before my parents did.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
6. Like the typical Coloradan, I don’t know which direction
is west without the Rocky Mountains. Dunedin sits in a basin so we can only see
rolling hills in all directions, but the Southern Alps (the “proper mountains,”
as my Kiwi friend informed me) are still west of Dunedin, so I find that
comforting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
7. Coffee is EVERYWHERE!!!! There are even coffee cup
holders on the grocery carts. I also found this inspiring wallpaper at a cafe
at the Christchurch airport:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAmGyJRLWMYDmItMSEMo7qw8bonvdwQVvrgN63QEBDctYDRGJvEll5qRtjC5dV2EMUiAwPFQBBnrGRYUQci0tzGhaV7FpkCJfE9rc0IZ5Ee3KviH8OowvZYPuwTsogRABiGo1Dhslh6CU/s1600/Untitled6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAmGyJRLWMYDmItMSEMo7qw8bonvdwQVvrgN63QEBDctYDRGJvEll5qRtjC5dV2EMUiAwPFQBBnrGRYUQci0tzGhaV7FpkCJfE9rc0IZ5Ee3KviH8OowvZYPuwTsogRABiGo1Dhslh6CU/s1600/Untitled6.png" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I’ll post some pictures of my flat and of local Dunedin
soon. Until then… soak up some summer tans for me!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00063429733366997408noreply@blogger.com0Dunedin, New Zealand-45.8787605 170.5027976-46.05565 170.1800741 -45.701871 170.8255211tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703160593754561243.post-76937980853841238602014-06-25T18:30:00.000+12:002014-07-03T09:42:21.987+12:00The Beginning of a Journey<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I leave for New Zealand in less than 48 hours, where I’ll be living in Dunedin and studying at the University of Otago for the next five and a half months. Dunedin is </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">a city located on the eastern coast of the South Island, as can be seen in the map below…</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU39Yq3AHBYG-jK1G5KL1u1hMiUNdlK5k7kIX7bqHuV2EVPN6xQkKup3Jyni66MXoYC2M5tIzi5TIgF9UbvsRWafMLAMLiz9ILb1L0erUIzObqpkkoQHhwAKvq6EFkGNQ-hjoBZTb6hIn-/s1600/NewZealandMap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU39Yq3AHBYG-jK1G5KL1u1hMiUNdlK5k7kIX7bqHuV2EVPN6xQkKup3Jyni66MXoYC2M5tIzi5TIgF9UbvsRWafMLAMLiz9ILb1L0erUIzObqpkkoQHhwAKvq6EFkGNQ-hjoBZTb6hIn-/s1600/NewZealandMap.jpg" height="248" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">I</span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">’ve never blogged before. In fact, I always viewed blogs as
somewhat self-centered — a glorified Facebook profile, if you will. But upon
further reflection, I decided it was probably more selfish of me to be provided
with such an amazing opportunity and then not share that experience with others
(or at the very least, my mother).</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So a-blogging I will go!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I chose to study abroad in New Zealand for several reasons…
For one, it’s just a breathtakingly gorgeous country. There are nearly
limitless opportunities for tramping, hiking, climbing, biking, and
adventuring. New Zealand is also a popular tourist destination, so from a
hospitality management perspective that should be interesting.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And to be completely honest… It is comforting to
know that New Zealand is an English-speaking country. (Although while I’m out
there I do hope to pick up some Maori, which is the second official language of
New Zealand.) Also… Lord of the Rings may or may not have had an influence on
my decision…</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But at the end of the day, I really chose New Zealand
because their culture fascinates me.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“Kiwitanga,” the name of my blog, is an English-Maori word
literally defined as “the state of being a New Zealander.” Kiwi is
the nickname New Zealanders give themselves, and -tanga is a Maori
nominalization suffix (like the English -ness at the end of an
adverb). So Kiwitanga is a word to describe the Kiwi culture, which (from what
I’ve read and heard) is a culture built around warmth, hospitality, balance,
strength, and egalitarianism.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I’m ready to experience this culture – to live in it, soak
it up, and try to understand it. I want to learn what it means to be a Kiwi,
and maybe along the way I will learn more about myself, too.</div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I invite you to experience this journey with me –
while maybe not in person, at least through my words and photos.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="entry" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: Palatino, Georgia, Baskerville, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.3em; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00063429733366997408noreply@blogger.com0Denver, CO, USA39.737567 -104.9847179000000239.346987 -105.63016490000003 40.128147 -104.33927090000002