Simply Life.: Welcome to... Wellington, New Zealand!

January 31, 2011

Hey everyone, sorry I haven’t posted in awhile. I have been feeling a bit under the weather J (Mom, no need to worry, everyone here has airborne… J ) When I am sick I basically just sleep, so I have slept the past two days, but am feeling great today! I was unable to do the 9 hour hike because I wasn’t feeling well, which really stinks, but I promised myself I would do it some other time. I am currently in Wellington, NZ. It is a beautiful city; we are staying at a Youth Hostel right near the ocean. It’s a great place! We are here for the next three days, so I will have time to catch up with homework.

Yesterday, I had my first experience driving in New Zealand, and I actually drove for about 4 hours. It was great! I was a bit confused at first, as the steering wheel is on the opposite side and we drive on the opposite side of the road, but Dave said I did great J It was a lot of fun and I look forward to doing it again!

After our stay in Wellington we will be moving to the South Island of New Zealand. I am excited for more adventures to come our way!

I am hoping to get into a Maori school while we are in Wellington. I would like to make some observations and talk to a few people. My camera does not have a charger so I have been behind on pictures but I am hoping to buy a cheap camera here to get going with pictures again!! If I don’t make it into a Maori school I would at least like to try the public school, to see how it is ran and meet some of the staff members. Today I will be searching for one.

I hope everyone in the States is doing well. I am thinking about you all, wishing I could share this adventure with all of you!! I will keep you posted on my travels in Wellington and thereafter.

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So I just realized that I haven’t written anything about our White Water Rafting adventure!!!! Holy cows was that crazy!!! I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I didn’t think it could be too dangerous. I was with a group of five other girls, and we had a guide. He prepared us for the water as we practiced different strokes and techniques. He seemed a bit nervous when I said I had never rafted before, and I think now I understand why. The rapids were very INTENSE. Our guide would give us a command, and we would have to follow in sync with each other. One girl on our raft did fall out, but Liz saved her! J It was quite the adventure. Dave said a CD of pictures is to be coming our way soon from the trip. I think someone recorded it also, so I will try to put that up on the blog sometime soon. White water rafting is something I most definitely want to do again! It was scary, but so much fun. If I would have seen the rapids that we went down before the trip, I can honestly say I am not sure if I would of done it, but just going for it was perfect. I am looking forward to trying it in the states someday!

Lots of love from Wellington, New Zealand!