my first week all in one because I finally finished writing it all down!

So here are a few things that make New Zealand AWESOME and some of my reasons for why I am gong to move here

1.     Their apples are fantastic! ( got 4 for 1.50 NZ at a farmers market today)

2.     They have switches that turn the power off to outlets… how smart is that?!?!

3.     They don’t sue sooo…

4.     Everyone has insurance

5.     Everyone has an instant hot water device in there kitchens

6.     Their farmers markets are BOMB

7.     They have heated rooms (the only rooms that are heated) for drying your clothes! They are fantastic

they have heaters for your towel in the bathroom!

8.     They have even convinced me that driving on the left side of the road is the correct side to drive on.

WOW so much has happened in the past few days. I am not going to add all the little details because to tell you the truth I don’t remember everything that has happened. But we made it to Auckland and met up with the Butler staff. In the airport we found some payphones to call home. A small group of us made our way to the buss where they fed us some wonderful apples and oranges. I then discovered that I had left my laptop on the plane.  So I ran back to the rest of the group where I was then accompanied to the baggage area where I sat for about and 30 minutes only to find out that the plane had been moved with out being cleaned and that it was sitting in the middle of a parking area with no steps attached to it. There was also no one available to drive out to it and check. So we had to leave the airport leaving my laptop behind. We took an hour-long buss ride through Auckland to a MYCA in the most beautiful regional park I have seen in my life.

 When we arrived we were then fed a more extensive breakfast. We then had a meeting filling us in on what we would be doing the next few days. After we had lunch and some time to unpack. Many of us then went on a tramp on the park land. There were beautiful views of the ocean and of some towns. (look at my pictures on facebook that will be put up soon) The tramp was a lot of fun but we discovered that the land was very muddy! After our hike we put on the appropriate clothes for kayaking.

The kayaking was amazing! Because it is just now winter the water seemed to still be warm from the summer and I built up enough heat that putting my feet in the water felt fantastic! Because the weather changes on a dime ( even faster than New England) we saw 3 beautiful FULL rainbows on our first day! When we got back from kayaking we had tea! And then headed off to some hot pools. These hot pools felt fantastic seeing as we were all cold and wet from the days activitis. After the hot pools we were brought to a bar where a had a (cheep) glass of wine. Which after the long day, time change, and hot pools pretty much put me to sleep! When we returned it was dinnertime! 

Day 2

We had a Publess quiz about driving, culture, sex, alcohol, food…anything nonacademic we might need to know. ( In NZ they have pub quizzes here you go in and take a general knowledge quizzes after you have had a few beers)

We then had a scavenger hunt where we were split into groups and had to fun around with a map of the place and find these numbers with signs on them and copy the sings. It was a lot of fun but my group lost. It was the same group that I was in for the publess quiz and we won that part of the competition but we were not so good with the funning trough mud and strait up hills. When we got back from that it was lunchtime. We had another meeting and then picked activities we would like to do. There was mountain biking, tramping, archery, and rock climbing. I went for rock climbing. It was just on a wall and I wish I had done something more adventitious but I had a lot of fun! I even climbed one blindfolded.

That night we had a briefing on the Maori. We learned some songs that we would be singing for them the next day.

So on Thursday morning we had our academic briefing. We learned about where we would live and that we would be staying in a hostel for a few days before moving into your flats. This delay was because of the volcano that was putting ash into the sky so people’s flights were canceled and they had to leave later than expected. After that we packed up our stuff and headed to the maori. On the way we stopped at a museum where we spent about an hour. We then headed to the maori. We were welcomed on to the grounds with a woman speaking and a fighting dance thing. They then put on a performance for us with lots of dancing and singing. They showed us their instruments and weapons. One of the big things in their culture is bugging out the eyes and sticking out the tongue and beating your bare chest. These movements are meant to scare off the predators or enemies. The best part of the evening was when they invited our men up on stage and made them take their shirts off and bug their eyes and stick their tongues out and scream. It was hilarious.

For dinner they took us out to show us where they cook their food. The food is placed in large pans that sit on volcanic rocks that are then covered with cloth. I have to say it smelled really bad to me because there was lamb being cooked and I do not like lamb. So for dinner there was lamb, chicken, potatoes, and pork that was all cooked together so it all tasted like lamb. So needless to say I was not very fond of the dinner. We then set up the large sacred  room with mattresses and sleeping bags and all slept together as a group on the ground .

The next morning we woke up and had breakfast, which was much better than dinner! There was bread, eggs, pancakes, oatmeal, cereal and much much more. As we were eating breakfast everyone broke into song and sang me happy birthday! It was so sweet!

When we were leaving I was called aside and told I would be going in a truck to the airport early to get my laptop. We would then meet up with the group later on. But they would not tell us what they were doing. So I got back my laptop and this other kid got back his skis that had been lost. We then got back into the truck and were brought to meet up with the rest of the group. Turns out we were going to a winery for a tour and tasting! What a great birthday present!! So the tasting was fantastic. After having one of the wines I joked that it would be good with lamb because I felt like I could kind of taste some lamb in it. Seconds later the guy doing the tasting announced that it really was a good wine to have with lamb! I guess I should become a professional! After the wine tasting they gave me a cake and everyone sang to me again! It was so sweet!

We then went to the airport and got on our flight to wellington. We were picked up in wellington and brought to youth hostel. We got settled in and then went out for Thai food! It was so fun everyone toasted me and we had a great dinner.  After dinner we all hung out and then about 7 or 8 of us decided to go out. We found a very cool club and danced until 2 am! ( guess I wasn’t jetlag!  Yay) It was the best birthday of my life!

The next day we explored the city. Got phones and got to know where some things were.  We went on a long walk up to campus to see if we could find some of our houses. We found Courtney’s but later discovered it was not the correct one. The market was right across from where we were staying so I got to know it very well! We went out again for Mexican food and then later went dancing again! The next morning we were picked up and brought to our flats! When I arrived at my flat it was the first time that I had been on my own so I was feeling a little nervous because I didn’t have a phone and I could not get on to the internet! But everything worked out. I met uo with my friends and we walked down to town to get food for dinner.

We had a big pasta and egg dinner with chocolate chip cookies. I did most of the cooking ( no surprise there J) with Courtney and Gracie. Most of out friends were there and we all had a really good time. After I walked back to my flat and stayed up long enough to chat with my mum! Then I went to BED! We have been so active that every night I just pass out!

WOW I finally made it to TODAY!!!!

This morning my friend Gracie came over and we walked over to Courtney’s and then into town. Where we met a bunch of our friends at this place called the ware house. It is kina like target but not as nice. But it was a good cheep place to get bedding and shampoo stuff. After that we climbed the hill (oh my god is it a big hill!) back up to my flat so that we could drop our stuff off. When we arrived a girl was moving in to my flat!!!! I had been all by my self until this point! Her name is Devin and is from Texas. After dropping our stuff off we went back in to town and had sushi and then did some shopping. I then set up a back account and then went shopping for dinner. Because it was the 4^th here we had a 4^th party where I made potato salad and guacamole and there were burgers and hot dogs. Devin came with me and fit right in! I then came back to my flat and there was another person moving in! His name is Craig. So after my shower Devin and I went down and talked with him for about an hour! They are both very nice and it think everything is going to be great here. Both Devin and Craig are clean and want to keep things clean so I think we are going to be all set!

WOW I cant believe I have caught up!

Good night all ( well morning for you)

cheers!