Sunday, March 23, 2008
the island life for me
Current mood: content
I’m sitting on the edge of an island listening to the waves roll in, watching something that hasn’t become so familiar that I stop appreciating it. I don’t really imagine how that could happen. I’ve been in the states for just over a month. I still look the wrong way when crossing the street, I still speak with an apparently funny accent and strange intonations which I didn’t realize I had until I’d stepped foot out of the country where I’d gained the inflections and back into the familiar soil in the United States.
I’m getting to know the LA airport quite well as I had a 4 hour layover after leaving Auckland but before returning to Dallas, only to return to that same airport 3 days later to start a new job on another island, on Catalina. A week and a half later I return to the same airport for the same LA- Dallas route to be home for my brother’s wedding, and then, after another 3 days, I’m back at the LA airport, back on a ferry headed towards the continuation of a job I’d just started as an instructor with an environmental outdoor education program.
It still feels like I’m as far away as New Zealand sometimes. I have to pre-plan every phone call or text message because my cell phone gets such bad service here. It’s a tease to my homing device. "I’m back in the country!! But I still can’t talk to you!!"
My sister Meredith and her husband Scott just visited me in California. I showed them around the island and we took up a whole bench and rode in a van full of strangers on unpaved windy roads across Catalina island. We kayaked and saw seals and sea lions, we snorkeled, had a campfire, we hiked and I shared my newfound knowledge of Catalina native edible and non-edible plants, native animals, tide pool organisms, composting, and the like. We did a (full) moonlight kayak and paddled straight out towards the mainland, though we could barely see it, until Howland’s Landing cove was almost indistinguishable as darkness seeped in and we watched the moon appear half on the horizon and sat mesmerized on kayaks in the middle of the channel and continued to watch until the orange tinted glowing full moon rose into the sky and I couldn’t feel my toes but I could feel the breeze and feel like I was, again, on the end of the earth.
I don’t have a 3 second delay when speaking to loved ones now that I’m back in the country. And it’s good to be back in the USA.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
not normally an over sharer
Friday, February 22, 2008
not normally an over sharer
Current mood: tired
Some things I wrote en route back to the states and since returning (hopefully it's intelligible):
En Route to LA, somewhere over the Pacific:
A guy tried to be my friend (or maybe just friendly) at the Skytower in Auckland in the morning of the day I was set to depart New Zealand. I small talked but wasn't interested in talking about Nelson, Queenstown or Wellington. Or how to buy a car and sell one in New Zealand. Or how to find work here. Or the best places to visit on the North and South Islands.
I wasn't even interested in conversation when he said he was from Austria but lives in Zurich though I lived there once too and on a normal day would use any opportunity to speak a bit of German. Maybe I wasn't interested because I'm from the states and live in NZ. And I had too much whirling in my own head to pay attention to what he was saying.
I'm on a flight to LA.
I thought I was ready to go, and I think I am.
But it's hard to say goodbye to this experience that's solely mine. I was at the airport and everything seemed normal; I was fine. All of the sudden I was at the gate for my flight and I heard all these crass American accents. I know I have one too, but when it's taken out of context, out of the US, it's tamer, different. I was getting on a plane to be just one of them again. American.
I listened to the Americans speak and I knew right away I was judging them for simply being American. For speaking in the same accent as me and for speaking about New Zealand to each other so casually. For being on a flight back to the states. I started to cry for (as it seemed) no reason at all in a room full of strangers, inconsolable. We boarded and the plane started to take off and all of the sudden we were in the clouds already, New Zealand fading out of sight so quickly, unfairly.
Sunset at take-off was grand (and sunset upon arriving in Dallas would be too, but I didn't know that yet), and now I'm going back. Back to what I know in Texas until Wednesday when I board yet another plane to California for another new beginning. I might just be getting good at those.
LA airport:
American accents are all around and I know as soon as I step into my father's arms all of the NZ experiences will seem so foreign and as if it were all a dream.
White tennis shoes, sweatpants or matching tracksuits, clad with Starbucks and Burger King, these accents are strong and somehow now seem foreign to me. I know I'm judging them but momentarily it's okay because it's part of adjusting back to the reality I came from. Maybe it's not judgment, maybe it's just observing, amazement, at this place and these people who have become foreign to me but from which I came.
I sat next to a father- type guy from Alabama on the plane with a thick Southern accent and also the kind of Southern hospitality that makes you speak more than just superficial niceties to strangers in airplanes. Listening to him sounded like home and I remembered what I liked about the U.S.
Dallas:
The 17th of February is finally coming to an end.. I'm at home in Dallas and it's feeling really good. Left New Zealand on Sunday February 17th at 7:40pm and finally arrived in Dallas at 8:15pm Sunday February 17th. So- I guess it's kind of like I only lost about half an hour. Sure seemed like more though.
Cried a lot at the airport and sunk into my father's arms for as long as it took.
Stomach was bouncing as I stepped off the plane.
Went straight to a Tex-Mex restaurant from the airport with my whole family and it was one of my more delicious meals as of late.
NZ was not a dream; it was fabulous.
The morning after I arrived I went downstairs to go for breakfast with my parents and my stepmom said "you know it's about 37 degrees outside right?" She spoke in fahrenheit and I was in a tank top. It was the end of a Texas winter; I didn't need much else.
So- am home to free soda refills, hands under the table during dinner, the toilet flushing the other way around, temperature in Fahrenheit, and driving on the right side of the road where everything looks so familiar… in a suburban! But only for a few days…
California:
I'm in California (again) now, just three days after returning to the country, to embark on something else that is sure to be an adventure.
While in Dallas my brother said to me something like "It's a shame you couldn't have more time to adjust before hopping into something else," and my sister Vanessa answered for me, "It's how she rolls Coyt."
It's how I roll.
And life is good.
not normally an over sharer
Current mood: tired
Some things I wrote en route back to the states and since returning (hopefully it's intelligible):
En Route to LA, somewhere over the Pacific:
A guy tried to be my friend (or maybe just friendly) at the Skytower in Auckland in the morning of the day I was set to depart New Zealand. I small talked but wasn't interested in talking about Nelson, Queenstown or Wellington. Or how to buy a car and sell one in New Zealand. Or how to find work here. Or the best places to visit on the North and South Islands.
I wasn't even interested in conversation when he said he was from Austria but lives in Zurich though I lived there once too and on a normal day would use any opportunity to speak a bit of German. Maybe I wasn't interested because I'm from the states and live in NZ. And I had too much whirling in my own head to pay attention to what he was saying.
I'm on a flight to LA.
I thought I was ready to go, and I think I am.
But it's hard to say goodbye to this experience that's solely mine. I was at the airport and everything seemed normal; I was fine. All of the sudden I was at the gate for my flight and I heard all these crass American accents. I know I have one too, but when it's taken out of context, out of the US, it's tamer, different. I was getting on a plane to be just one of them again. American.
I listened to the Americans speak and I knew right away I was judging them for simply being American. For speaking in the same accent as me and for speaking about New Zealand to each other so casually. For being on a flight back to the states. I started to cry for (as it seemed) no reason at all in a room full of strangers, inconsolable. We boarded and the plane started to take off and all of the sudden we were in the clouds already, New Zealand fading out of sight so quickly, unfairly.
Sunset at take-off was grand (and sunset upon arriving in Dallas would be too, but I didn't know that yet), and now I'm going back. Back to what I know in Texas until Wednesday when I board yet another plane to California for another new beginning. I might just be getting good at those.
LA airport:
American accents are all around and I know as soon as I step into my father's arms all of the NZ experiences will seem so foreign and as if it were all a dream.
White tennis shoes, sweatpants or matching tracksuits, clad with Starbucks and Burger King, these accents are strong and somehow now seem foreign to me. I know I'm judging them but momentarily it's okay because it's part of adjusting back to the reality I came from. Maybe it's not judgment, maybe it's just observing, amazement, at this place and these people who have become foreign to me but from which I came.
I sat next to a father- type guy from Alabama on the plane with a thick Southern accent and also the kind of Southern hospitality that makes you speak more than just superficial niceties to strangers in airplanes. Listening to him sounded like home and I remembered what I liked about the U.S.
Dallas:
The 17th of February is finally coming to an end.. I'm at home in Dallas and it's feeling really good. Left New Zealand on Sunday February 17th at 7:40pm and finally arrived in Dallas at 8:15pm Sunday February 17th. So- I guess it's kind of like I only lost about half an hour. Sure seemed like more though.
Cried a lot at the airport and sunk into my father's arms for as long as it took.
Stomach was bouncing as I stepped off the plane.
Went straight to a Tex-Mex restaurant from the airport with my whole family and it was one of my more delicious meals as of late.
NZ was not a dream; it was fabulous.
The morning after I arrived I went downstairs to go for breakfast with my parents and my stepmom said "you know it's about 37 degrees outside right?" She spoke in fahrenheit and I was in a tank top. It was the end of a Texas winter; I didn't need much else.
So- am home to free soda refills, hands under the table during dinner, the toilet flushing the other way around, temperature in Fahrenheit, and driving on the right side of the road where everything looks so familiar… in a suburban! But only for a few days…
California:
I'm in California (again) now, just three days after returning to the country, to embark on something else that is sure to be an adventure.
While in Dallas my brother said to me something like "It's a shame you couldn't have more time to adjust before hopping into something else," and my sister Vanessa answered for me, "It's how she rolls Coyt."
It's how I roll.
And life is good.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
it's time
Thursday, February 07, 2008
it’s time
Current mood: pensive
I'm still in New Zealand and it's been a year and a half here... Now that i'm getting settled in a new city (again), I'm leaving (again).
My time is winding down and I can hear the clock ticking in the background. The ticking follows the tocking and the tocking follows me as I wind my way through streets in cities I've learned to call home. I see familiar faces and I can't understand why things fall into place two weeks before I leave, two weeks before I heave my two bags onto a plane and my body into a seat doing brainless activities to keep myself from what is coming. It fell into place a long time ago, and is really still happening the way it should be, I've just learned to appreciate it now that I won't have it, this life in New Zealand. People act differently when they're leaving somewhere. Throw caution to the wind while treading carefully.
I thought a year and half would be long enough to figure out what to do with my life, but I've been too busy living to waste time planning and right now I know (roughly) what the next three months will bring and that's more than I've known in a long time.
It was the superbowl last weekend and I didn't even know it was on (that being said, I don't normally when I'm home either...) but I am very out of touch and sometimes it's nice that way. Sometimes though I wish I could reach out and give my siblings a hug or squeeze my niece and nephews cheeks, so I'm looking forward to that.
And if I get home and someone asks me how my "trip" went, I will secretly be raging. This is not a trip. This is living. With jobs, and expenses, and bad (good?) decisions and all that comes with all of that (and some pretty great times too!).
My attempt at something worth reading. haha
I'm going to California. I will be working for Catalina Environmental Leadership Program on Catalina Island. I get back to LA, then Texas, on Feb 17th, then turn right around (still jet-lagged and "return" culture shocked I presume) back to LA to start what will be the next three months of my life (and more?). I can't wait. Ideally I'd spend a bit more time at home after being gone a year and a half but I won't be ready to leave NZ yet, and I already had the flight before I got the job, so there that is. I will spend my days with little kids learning with them and teaching them about the environment through kayaking, gardening, hiking, snorkeling, ropes-coursing, rock climbing, star gazing, composting, living simply, and appreciating the great world we live in. Sounds good doesn't it?
I think so.
I will be missing my (already bought, no refund) flight to Colorado. I still can't wait to see my friends there, and where ever in the world they (you?) may be.
We shall be in touch, friends. I've missed you.
it’s time
Current mood: pensive
I'm still in New Zealand and it's been a year and a half here... Now that i'm getting settled in a new city (again), I'm leaving (again).
My time is winding down and I can hear the clock ticking in the background. The ticking follows the tocking and the tocking follows me as I wind my way through streets in cities I've learned to call home. I see familiar faces and I can't understand why things fall into place two weeks before I leave, two weeks before I heave my two bags onto a plane and my body into a seat doing brainless activities to keep myself from what is coming. It fell into place a long time ago, and is really still happening the way it should be, I've just learned to appreciate it now that I won't have it, this life in New Zealand. People act differently when they're leaving somewhere. Throw caution to the wind while treading carefully.
I thought a year and half would be long enough to figure out what to do with my life, but I've been too busy living to waste time planning and right now I know (roughly) what the next three months will bring and that's more than I've known in a long time.
It was the superbowl last weekend and I didn't even know it was on (that being said, I don't normally when I'm home either...) but I am very out of touch and sometimes it's nice that way. Sometimes though I wish I could reach out and give my siblings a hug or squeeze my niece and nephews cheeks, so I'm looking forward to that.
And if I get home and someone asks me how my "trip" went, I will secretly be raging. This is not a trip. This is living. With jobs, and expenses, and bad (good?) decisions and all that comes with all of that (and some pretty great times too!).
My attempt at something worth reading. haha
I'm going to California. I will be working for Catalina Environmental Leadership Program on Catalina Island. I get back to LA, then Texas, on Feb 17th, then turn right around (still jet-lagged and "return" culture shocked I presume) back to LA to start what will be the next three months of my life (and more?). I can't wait. Ideally I'd spend a bit more time at home after being gone a year and a half but I won't be ready to leave NZ yet, and I already had the flight before I got the job, so there that is. I will spend my days with little kids learning with them and teaching them about the environment through kayaking, gardening, hiking, snorkeling, ropes-coursing, rock climbing, star gazing, composting, living simply, and appreciating the great world we live in. Sounds good doesn't it?
I think so.
I will be missing my (already bought, no refund) flight to Colorado. I still can't wait to see my friends there, and where ever in the world they (you?) may be.
We shall be in touch, friends. I've missed you.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
the long and short of it
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
the long and short of it
Current mood: relaxed
Well… four months later and I'm still here. In New Zealand that is. I just moved to Wellington, New Zealand's capital and all is well. I'll be here till March; that's the plan. I live every day as they come; that's how it somehow got to be 14 months on these islands.
Been four months since I wrote. What a whirlwind.
In that time I have:
Worked hard
(hardly worked?)
Dressed like a pirate
Learned to snowboard
Felt at home
Heli skied
Made new friends
Watched dolphins play
Had a very black and white birthday
Skiied
Eaten well
Bungy Jumped
Drank
Seen great views
Run
Hiked
Said goodbye
And moved… again.
the long and short of it
Current mood: relaxed
Well… four months later and I'm still here. In New Zealand that is. I just moved to Wellington, New Zealand's capital and all is well. I'll be here till March; that's the plan. I live every day as they come; that's how it somehow got to be 14 months on these islands.
Been four months since I wrote. What a whirlwind.
In that time I have:
Worked hard
(hardly worked?)
Dressed like a pirate
Learned to snowboard
Felt at home
Heli skied
Made new friends
Watched dolphins play
Had a very black and white birthday
Skiied
Eaten well
Bungy Jumped
Drank
Seen great views
Run
Hiked
Said goodbye
And moved… again.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
still going strong
Sunday, July 01, 2007
still going strong
Current mood: restless
Where to begin?! Yesterday marked 10 months on these islands I surprisingly realized. I now live in Queenstown, New Zealand. It's a small ski town similar to Breckenridge in the states. A party town if you're looking to party, but also pretty cool.
It's very close to the ski hills, hiking trails, mountain biking trails (actually did that with Dave, flatmate, the day after I moved in… 4 hours mountain biking… very intense… very humbling as I literally fell in the water almost every time we had a river crossing- not so easy on a bike!), the lake, everything! It is the adventure capital of the world and caters to adventure enthusiasts- bungee jumping off bridges, skydiving, jet boating, canyon swinging, etc. I have lived here two months and only had a job for 3 weeks of that (so hard to find a job until the ski hills open and the town gets busier)!
But- now I'm working hard- the town has picked up and it is busy busy busy.
I got a job at a 5star hotel as a concierge, a ski concierge two days a week (go-to gal for snow conditions, transport to mountain, rentals, etc) and regular concierge 3 days a week.
I really love this town. Been tons of fun already, and it's just the beginning.
The town is busy allright! There are people everywhere. Last week was Winterfest where I got to see some very cool kiwi bands and two mountains (both within a half hour- 45 minute drive) nearby are open. There were parades and rail jams on the mountains and many activities to occupy everyone in Queenstown.
I will be snowboarding this season, so we'll see how that goes! Bought one so I'm committed to the season! It's been painful so far (literally- the bum, knees, wrists…) but I'm learning! Been up about 4 days already and there will be many more to come. Thought it was time to learn something new on the mountain (not that i'm anywhere near done learning about skiing!)
I'm working as a ski concierge at a 5 star hotel in town. Still learning the ropes a bit… but it keeps me entertained I guess. I have to be much more professional than I did working at a bar in Nelson! (no more "inappropriate touching Thursday"s… a weekly occurrence in Nelson, but we make up for it at the bars I suppose…)
Monty's bar for Chris' last night before heading back to England
Surreal bar with Dave and Amy
me before dancing until 5am...
My flatmates are fabulous. I live with Kain and Liza (partners, kiwi, 28 and 29), and Dave (26, English). We have an amazing view of the mountains, liza and kain's two cats, and fires in the fireplace every night as there is no central heating here! (heating blanket, space heater, and two duvets on my bed do their best... but sometimes it's still cold!) We all get along really well and it feels good here. We take turns cooking for each other and i've learned a thing or two in the kitchen! It's fun to eat together- it's always a feast- real good, healthy food, and a lot of it!
We eat very well and now Thursdays have a new meaning (along with inappropriate touching of course). We all usually hang out and drink a little and listen to house music (Kain's favourite). The music's not what I generally listen to but it's fun to widen my musical knowledge and the company is good. Out on the town with them is also particularly fun.
Last week it snowed and snowed and snowed and I couldn't drive my car up the hill to my house! I live up a steep hill and that makes the views fabulous and the walk home from town a workout. We built jumps and I took pictures as the flatmates and friends snowboarded down the street.
A visiting friend got particularly creative:
I think I've turned into a person that I wouldn't recognize a few years back. I'm still learning, always will be. I'm enjoying my time here and changing my opinions on a lot of things. I feel really lucky because I have a few really close friends here and feel at home in New Zealand.
I've made the decision to extend my visa and stay in new zealand at least until October when the ski season ends. After that, who knows?! Maybe Australia for a few months, maybe a year, maybe back to the states to save for and then go to grad school, maybe i'll get a degree in new zealand... my plans change every day. But i do know, i'll be here until october at least, quite possibly longer (start saving so you can visit if you ever want to see me again! only kidding... kind of). This country is amazing- an outdoor lover's mecca! It's really easy to settle into life here, and i've made it my home.
Who knows what happens next…?!
Not me... but I don't mind.
still going strong
Current mood: restless
Where to begin?! Yesterday marked 10 months on these islands I surprisingly realized. I now live in Queenstown, New Zealand. It's a small ski town similar to Breckenridge in the states. A party town if you're looking to party, but also pretty cool.
It's very close to the ski hills, hiking trails, mountain biking trails (actually did that with Dave, flatmate, the day after I moved in… 4 hours mountain biking… very intense… very humbling as I literally fell in the water almost every time we had a river crossing- not so easy on a bike!), the lake, everything! It is the adventure capital of the world and caters to adventure enthusiasts- bungee jumping off bridges, skydiving, jet boating, canyon swinging, etc. I have lived here two months and only had a job for 3 weeks of that (so hard to find a job until the ski hills open and the town gets busier)!
But- now I'm working hard- the town has picked up and it is busy busy busy.
I got a job at a 5star hotel as a concierge, a ski concierge two days a week (go-to gal for snow conditions, transport to mountain, rentals, etc) and regular concierge 3 days a week.
I really love this town. Been tons of fun already, and it's just the beginning.
The town is busy allright! There are people everywhere. Last week was Winterfest where I got to see some very cool kiwi bands and two mountains (both within a half hour- 45 minute drive) nearby are open. There were parades and rail jams on the mountains and many activities to occupy everyone in Queenstown.
I will be snowboarding this season, so we'll see how that goes! Bought one so I'm committed to the season! It's been painful so far (literally- the bum, knees, wrists…) but I'm learning! Been up about 4 days already and there will be many more to come. Thought it was time to learn something new on the mountain (not that i'm anywhere near done learning about skiing!)
I'm working as a ski concierge at a 5 star hotel in town. Still learning the ropes a bit… but it keeps me entertained I guess. I have to be much more professional than I did working at a bar in Nelson! (no more "inappropriate touching Thursday"s… a weekly occurrence in Nelson, but we make up for it at the bars I suppose…)
Monty's bar for Chris' last night before heading back to England
Surreal bar with Dave and Amy
me before dancing until 5am...
My flatmates are fabulous. I live with Kain and Liza (partners, kiwi, 28 and 29), and Dave (26, English). We have an amazing view of the mountains, liza and kain's two cats, and fires in the fireplace every night as there is no central heating here! (heating blanket, space heater, and two duvets on my bed do their best... but sometimes it's still cold!) We all get along really well and it feels good here. We take turns cooking for each other and i've learned a thing or two in the kitchen! It's fun to eat together- it's always a feast- real good, healthy food, and a lot of it!
We eat very well and now Thursdays have a new meaning (along with inappropriate touching of course). We all usually hang out and drink a little and listen to house music (Kain's favourite). The music's not what I generally listen to but it's fun to widen my musical knowledge and the company is good. Out on the town with them is also particularly fun.
Last week it snowed and snowed and snowed and I couldn't drive my car up the hill to my house! I live up a steep hill and that makes the views fabulous and the walk home from town a workout. We built jumps and I took pictures as the flatmates and friends snowboarded down the street.
A visiting friend got particularly creative:
I think I've turned into a person that I wouldn't recognize a few years back. I'm still learning, always will be. I'm enjoying my time here and changing my opinions on a lot of things. I feel really lucky because I have a few really close friends here and feel at home in New Zealand.
I've made the decision to extend my visa and stay in new zealand at least until October when the ski season ends. After that, who knows?! Maybe Australia for a few months, maybe a year, maybe back to the states to save for and then go to grad school, maybe i'll get a degree in new zealand... my plans change every day. But i do know, i'll be here until october at least, quite possibly longer (start saving so you can visit if you ever want to see me again! only kidding... kind of). This country is amazing- an outdoor lover's mecca! It's really easy to settle into life here, and i've made it my home.
Who knows what happens next…?!
Not me... but I don't mind.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
down under here
Saturday, April 28, 2007
down under here
Current mood: peaceful
I have been back from Australia for 5 days. I am continually amazed by the world, though I am currently only exploring only a small part of it.
I arrived in Sydney, Australia on April 3 and immediately took a train to Newcastle. Dylan, an Australian friend from my Swiss exchange student days, picked me up and we walked along the beach from for a few hours, talking, catching up, and enjoying the sunny weather and beautiful day. We stayed in Newcastle for the night and left early the next morning for Byron Bay, further North on the East coast (about 7 hours further!). The next few days involved swimming in the beach, beer drinking, and seriously good music. We had tickets to 3 of the 5 day Blues and Roots Festival in Byron. My ears were literally still ringing a week after the concerts… some of the acts included Joss Stone, Paolo Nutini, AYO, Ziggy Marley, Bo Diddley, Gomez, ALO (where Jack Johnson showed up as a surprise!), Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience, the Roots, Ozomatli, Amos Lee, Fat Freddy's Drop (a kiwi band I had already grown to love), Paul Kelly, Xavier Rudd, John Butler Trio, and more… My senses were flooded with sounds of good music and rain and sights of thousands of people and mud.
Rainy first day at the Bluesfest:
I stayed with Dylan's family in a cabin in Byron Bay, and though the weather turned on us, it did not spoil the fun. The company of good, down-to-earth people and the music of very talented artists made the rain merely an afterthought, a background noise and physical explanation of the soundtracks in our heads.
hordes of people, and dirty feet...
After Byron we headed to South West Rocks, about four hours down the East coast, to "luxury" camp (seriously) with Dylan's mom's cousin's family. They surfed, we swam, snorkeled, and jumped off bridges… I went scuba diving at one of the top 50 places in the world to dive (top 5 in Australia) and scared myself a bit… perhaps all the talk of sharks and crocodiles and snakes and bears and all the other scary animals in Australia? (none of the above mentioned, except sharks, do they have in New Zealand) Had a great time nonetheless.
Camped right on the beach, heard the tide slowly roll in or out at night, manifested by constant waves and the sounds of nature- wind blowing the tent, rain pounding on it, all to wake up in the morning dry after a good nights sleep!
luxury camping at it's best (such a good time): Keira and Kate prepare dinner.
View from the lighthouse at South West Rocks.
Kangaroos in the wild!
After 5 days we carried onward back to Newcastle for a night and then to Sydney for an Australian Football game, a visit to the aquarium, wandering the city through the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House to find them perfectly shaped around the light of the night.
Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House at 1am...
Met up with other exchange students and felt like we picked up where we left off in 2002… told stories about how we'd become the people we were and realized how shaped it was by our collective experience living in a foreign country, with a foreign language, at 18 (or younger).
I stayed in Sydney at a hostel for a few days on my own after saying goodbye to Dylan, Keira, and Nathan, who I had spent the last two weeks with.
I then met up with the Watsons, family friends of my stepmother who I'd never met but felt just at home with. We went to the zoo, Fitzroy Falls, Bowral, Robertson, Berrrima, and many other surrounding and coastal towns around Sydney.
I love this side of the world.
I returned to New Zealand feeling like I was coming home… back on Tuesday, did a skydive on Wednesday, hike the Tongariro Crossing on Thursday (the best day hike in the world, so they say… ) and off to Wellington on Friday.
beautiful views and volcanoes...
It's now Saturday and I'll be off to Nelson (where I lived and worked for 5 months) tomorrow. Then I'm heading South for the winter and I think I'll freeze my arse off! But, I'm excited. Skiing and winter (which I haven't seen for a year and a half) in a crazy town… can't complain, and I won't.
I'll be back in August sometime… until then… doing everything I can, checking off the NZ to-do list.
It's a good feeling.
down under here
Current mood: peaceful
I have been back from Australia for 5 days. I am continually amazed by the world, though I am currently only exploring only a small part of it.
I arrived in Sydney, Australia on April 3 and immediately took a train to Newcastle. Dylan, an Australian friend from my Swiss exchange student days, picked me up and we walked along the beach from for a few hours, talking, catching up, and enjoying the sunny weather and beautiful day. We stayed in Newcastle for the night and left early the next morning for Byron Bay, further North on the East coast (about 7 hours further!). The next few days involved swimming in the beach, beer drinking, and seriously good music. We had tickets to 3 of the 5 day Blues and Roots Festival in Byron. My ears were literally still ringing a week after the concerts… some of the acts included Joss Stone, Paolo Nutini, AYO, Ziggy Marley, Bo Diddley, Gomez, ALO (where Jack Johnson showed up as a surprise!), Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience, the Roots, Ozomatli, Amos Lee, Fat Freddy's Drop (a kiwi band I had already grown to love), Paul Kelly, Xavier Rudd, John Butler Trio, and more… My senses were flooded with sounds of good music and rain and sights of thousands of people and mud.
Rainy first day at the Bluesfest:
I stayed with Dylan's family in a cabin in Byron Bay, and though the weather turned on us, it did not spoil the fun. The company of good, down-to-earth people and the music of very talented artists made the rain merely an afterthought, a background noise and physical explanation of the soundtracks in our heads.
hordes of people, and dirty feet...
After Byron we headed to South West Rocks, about four hours down the East coast, to "luxury" camp (seriously) with Dylan's mom's cousin's family. They surfed, we swam, snorkeled, and jumped off bridges… I went scuba diving at one of the top 50 places in the world to dive (top 5 in Australia) and scared myself a bit… perhaps all the talk of sharks and crocodiles and snakes and bears and all the other scary animals in Australia? (none of the above mentioned, except sharks, do they have in New Zealand) Had a great time nonetheless.
Camped right on the beach, heard the tide slowly roll in or out at night, manifested by constant waves and the sounds of nature- wind blowing the tent, rain pounding on it, all to wake up in the morning dry after a good nights sleep!
luxury camping at it's best (such a good time): Keira and Kate prepare dinner.
View from the lighthouse at South West Rocks.
Kangaroos in the wild!
After 5 days we carried onward back to Newcastle for a night and then to Sydney for an Australian Football game, a visit to the aquarium, wandering the city through the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House to find them perfectly shaped around the light of the night.
Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House at 1am...
Met up with other exchange students and felt like we picked up where we left off in 2002… told stories about how we'd become the people we were and realized how shaped it was by our collective experience living in a foreign country, with a foreign language, at 18 (or younger).
I stayed in Sydney at a hostel for a few days on my own after saying goodbye to Dylan, Keira, and Nathan, who I had spent the last two weeks with.
I then met up with the Watsons, family friends of my stepmother who I'd never met but felt just at home with. We went to the zoo, Fitzroy Falls, Bowral, Robertson, Berrrima, and many other surrounding and coastal towns around Sydney.
I love this side of the world.
I returned to New Zealand feeling like I was coming home… back on Tuesday, did a skydive on Wednesday, hike the Tongariro Crossing on Thursday (the best day hike in the world, so they say… ) and off to Wellington on Friday.
beautiful views and volcanoes...
It's now Saturday and I'll be off to Nelson (where I lived and worked for 5 months) tomorrow. Then I'm heading South for the winter and I think I'll freeze my arse off! But, I'm excited. Skiing and winter (which I haven't seen for a year and a half) in a crazy town… can't complain, and I won't.
I'll be back in August sometime… until then… doing everything I can, checking off the NZ to-do list.
It's a good feeling.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
still wide eyed
Sunday, April 01, 2007
still wide eyed
Current mood: excited
Category: Life
I am not done here.
I am constantly in awe of this amazing place. New Zealand has such diverse landscapes and so much to offer, I feel as if I have only scratched the surface even after 7 months (has it been that long already?).
I have learned that when the weather is bad and you're homeless, life gets a bit more expensive... I've been on the road for 3 weeks touring the South and then North island in my own car... I have spent a majority of those nights in my tent and a majority of those days seeing as much as I can. Wandering and seeing the sights by day, sleeping under the stars at night. Torrential rains which would later be dubbed "the worst storm in 50 years" hit and had me rethinking my route, my activities, and my sleeping arrangement. The hard and constant rain drove me right into a hostel for 3 nights where I met cool travelers and played cards and put together puzzles. It was really nice to relax a bit (funny when a hostel is luxury) but I found myself wondering when I could again commence my left-side-of-the-road driving again. After 2 and a half days of constant down pour the sky opened up, became blue, and was even sunny and hot within a few hours.
I jumped outside quickly with a few new friends to explore Cathedral Cove, which can only be done at low tide. The next day I hit up hot water beach on my way out of town and I have been loving being on my own. I feel so free with a full tank of gas!
I have seen a lot and know there is more to see. I leave tomorrow for Australia for 3 weeks for good music (Bluesfest in Byron Bay) and good company before coming back to New Zealand to finish out my work visa (they may have to kick me out of this country!)
I'm not good at keeping in touch- as told to me by Martin, who's English but lives in New Zealand. I laughed as I thought about what my loved ones on the other side of the world felt! I'm working on it, but priorities are to see and do and that's exactly what's on my agenda.
I'm now in Auckland (survived city driving!) and the sun is setting on the sky scrapers and the large city brings strangers around me who look familier.
Here's a recap of the last few weeks:
"Official" last night out in Nelson:
Montieth's Brewery Tour in Greymouth
Brooke and I ended up sleeping at the old man's house... such kind people!
Hokitika WildFoods Festival (people eat anything from cow nipples to worms to fern shoots...wow)
Glaciers (Fox and Franz Josef)
Camping on the beach
Wanaka, Queenstown,
Mt. Cook,
Lake Tekapo
Christchurch, Kaikora... Camera battery running low at this point so not so many pictures to show for it unfortunately...
St Patricks Day back in Nelson at work:
Wellington with Martin and Clare:
Gannet walk (largest mainland nesting place for Gannets) near Napier:
Huka Falls in Taupo with a walk to spa park and natural hot pools:
Natural thermal wonders and craters in Rotorua:
Dance parties, dress- up, and easter egg coloring with 4 little girls in Tauranga (where I lived for 2 1/2 weeks at beginning of time here)
Traffic jams on the Coromandel penninsula
Cathedral Cove with new friends (only available at low tide)
Hot Water Beach (dig pools to sit in water that is 100 degree- natural hot pools again... only done at low tide)
lots of driving...
wow... so much more to learn.
still wide eyed
Current mood: excited
Category: Life
I am not done here.
I am constantly in awe of this amazing place. New Zealand has such diverse landscapes and so much to offer, I feel as if I have only scratched the surface even after 7 months (has it been that long already?).
I have learned that when the weather is bad and you're homeless, life gets a bit more expensive... I've been on the road for 3 weeks touring the South and then North island in my own car... I have spent a majority of those nights in my tent and a majority of those days seeing as much as I can. Wandering and seeing the sights by day, sleeping under the stars at night. Torrential rains which would later be dubbed "the worst storm in 50 years" hit and had me rethinking my route, my activities, and my sleeping arrangement. The hard and constant rain drove me right into a hostel for 3 nights where I met cool travelers and played cards and put together puzzles. It was really nice to relax a bit (funny when a hostel is luxury) but I found myself wondering when I could again commence my left-side-of-the-road driving again. After 2 and a half days of constant down pour the sky opened up, became blue, and was even sunny and hot within a few hours.
I jumped outside quickly with a few new friends to explore Cathedral Cove, which can only be done at low tide. The next day I hit up hot water beach on my way out of town and I have been loving being on my own. I feel so free with a full tank of gas!
I have seen a lot and know there is more to see. I leave tomorrow for Australia for 3 weeks for good music (Bluesfest in Byron Bay) and good company before coming back to New Zealand to finish out my work visa (they may have to kick me out of this country!)
I'm not good at keeping in touch- as told to me by Martin, who's English but lives in New Zealand. I laughed as I thought about what my loved ones on the other side of the world felt! I'm working on it, but priorities are to see and do and that's exactly what's on my agenda.
I'm now in Auckland (survived city driving!) and the sun is setting on the sky scrapers and the large city brings strangers around me who look familier.
Here's a recap of the last few weeks:
"Official" last night out in Nelson:
Montieth's Brewery Tour in Greymouth
Brooke and I ended up sleeping at the old man's house... such kind people!
Hokitika WildFoods Festival (people eat anything from cow nipples to worms to fern shoots...wow)
Glaciers (Fox and Franz Josef)
Camping on the beach
Wanaka, Queenstown,
Mt. Cook,
Lake Tekapo
Christchurch, Kaikora... Camera battery running low at this point so not so many pictures to show for it unfortunately...
St Patricks Day back in Nelson at work:
Wellington with Martin and Clare:
Gannet walk (largest mainland nesting place for Gannets) near Napier:
Huka Falls in Taupo with a walk to spa park and natural hot pools:
Natural thermal wonders and craters in Rotorua:
Dance parties, dress- up, and easter egg coloring with 4 little girls in Tauranga (where I lived for 2 1/2 weeks at beginning of time here)
Traffic jams on the Coromandel penninsula
Cathedral Cove with new friends (only available at low tide)
Hot Water Beach (dig pools to sit in water that is 100 degree- natural hot pools again... only done at low tide)
lots of driving...
wow... so much more to learn.
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