surrounded by water

Thursday, August 13, 2009

I have fallen into a bit of routine here. Monday night mediation, quiz night after and free pool at the baa (I am learning slowly). Tuesday’s movie night, Wednesday 3 dollar lunch, yoga and pint night at refuel. Thursday long school and usually dancing and the weekends are open for adventures.

This weekend we went to Lake Wanaka. It was beautiful. Eight of us jammed into our nelly mini van and drove off into the green. Watched the sun set and the stars come out. Eat lots of chips and ice cream along the way. Got there and found out I did not book the hostel properly, but it was a blessing in disguise because the eight of us cramped into a beautiful lodge room. All I have to say is that we all got very comfortable with one another. Went out dancing to the Mint Bar that night and came across some Americans turned kiwis, named Reek and Sock.

“Hi my name is Reek, like dank weed”

Got up early, had chocolate croissants and skied all day. It was amazing, we shredded up the mountain second nature style. Had cold showers and BBQ dinner, and then danced the night away.

Woke up early and kayaked for two hours in-between the rocks and islands. I felt so small surrounded by boulders and cliffs. Ate a kebab and packed our bags tight. Drove east back to Dunedin and stopped along the way to run in the green.

Life

Been having crazy weekend adventures. Went skiing in Queenstown and Wanaka. Bungee jumped (do not remember doing it, I think I must have blacked out), went to a winery and kayaking in around the rocks.

New Zealand really lives for its name, Adventure Capitol of the World.

I got a new manuel camera today from a lady off trade me (NZ version of eBay). A 35mm consina, came with a flash and sigma macro lenses.

Went around shooting all morning. I love taking pictures but it is so hard to capture what my eyes have been seeing for the past month.

I feel like I abandoned by blog, but it has been in my thoughts to update you for while

Life down here is just bliss. I have fallen in love with New Zealand. I have really been immersed in everything. New Zealand is a very new country but a head of everyone else with sustainable living. The kiwis are as sweet as ever and friendly too. They have the most amazing sayings:

heaps= lots of
crack up= funny
no worries= urwelcome
kia ora= hello
sweet as=thats cool
cheers=thank you
yup yup no=?

I just love it.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Kiwi Homes

I love walking around the city and just getting lost. I always seem to find my way back. I am surrounded by colorful homes, that always smell like christmas. Christmas in July. Winter hats and warm fires.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Earthquake...

So because of the Australian and Pacific tectonic plates, earthquakes occur pretty often down here. One happened the other night around 9:22pm. Only half the city felt the shake, it was at magnitude of 7.8 and the depth was 12 km (I learned all this in my geology class the next morning) Kind of crazy. Where was I? Dancing around my apartment.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Loving life.

I am starting to learn the lay of the land. Main streets such as Great King st, George st and Cumberland. I need to get my walking legs in shape, that’s all people do, walk, bike and hike. Today we got up early and went for a hike, it went from being sunny fall to snowy winter, in a matter of minutes. The hiking trails are a mix between the rainforest and the beach. I love how New Zealand has a mix of so many wonderful things in just one place.

Every Saturday by the train station there are farmers markets. The people of New Zealand are so friendly and want you to try and enjoy everything. I sampled it all. It is amazing how all the food is locally grown, not much is imported. The apples are delicious and the avocados are creamy.

Dunedin is a great town, surrounded by hills and the most amazing trees. I am really starting to love it here. The town is filled with hip bars and trendy shops, all in between the University, which has over 30, 000 students, oh man I am going to get so lost. I finally start my classes tomorrow. A little bit of music class, Maori studies and anthropology. Embracing my inner nerd.

Here is a mix of my week in pictures, enjoy!

Mi casa...