Goings on

First sight of NZ in Auckland

Week 1

We had a weekend orientation in a "backpaker" or hostel in Rotorua, New Zealand on the North Island called Kiwi Paka. Everything was scheduled out for us, which was annoying at first, but then we realized the amazing activities planned, and quickly subsided our ill-conceived thoughts. We caved, and hiked, and drank. One of the nights we spent in a Irish bar (yea, they have those here too) with an amazing two-man band with one guy that switched from harmonica to fiddle to washboard without blinking (see video below).

The orientation put us together with tons of other Americans. It was a quite unique group of people. But, as many know, a certain type of person takes this voyage into international study and the personality required was apparently outgoing and openminded. We are having a hard time shaking the friendships we made.

Jesse's flat is in a place called Willowbank (actual address will be posted soon) where there is a communal courtyard and at least 20 Americans taht we had met. Jesse, luckily, was placed in a vegetarian house, with 3 ladies that share the same tastes or lack there of. Unfortunately for Phil, Jesse's place is awesomely clean and new, with two bathrooms and great heating. Phil on the other hand has a cold flat with one bathroom split into a potty room and a shower room right next to the door. Although Jesse's place has all the amenities, Phil's is right across the street from campus and has a larger bedroom and easy access to "The Octagon"--a local hotspot for shopping and bars. There is no central heating in all of New Zealand and the flat lack double-paned windows, leaving us seeing our breath after showering. Phil has 2 Kiwi roommates, a Hungarian named Hootie, and another American named Lindly. Jesse was roomed with a Guatemalan, a Scot and another American--leaving one extra room (I guess there are only 4 Veggies in this program. It is cool how much variety of Veggie food is available in the restaurants here. Although, we might not be eating out too much because the food is extremely expensive.

The second night in Willowbank the VegeHouse threw a spaghetti and wine party and Jesse attempted to cook--which to his surprise, people enjoyed. About 15 people showed up,p with people popping in and out due to the open atmosphere of the apartment complex. The entire front of the 3-story flathouse consists of two decks on the top two floors and a open glass front leading to the kitchen on the first floor.

We went across the street from Willowbank today to the Dunedin Botanic Gardens--which left us speechless. Everyturn in the labyrinth of paths and trails led to something awe inspiring. There was a geographic location which was home to (surprisingly enough) redwoods from Cali and even a couple Giant Sequoias that rivaled the size seen during Jesse's last summer's trip.