School finished and on my own

It has been quite some time since my last post.  Sadly, internet is not free, and the time I pay for is usually used to the fullest with other matters.  Anyways, on to the details.

One of the last trips with the class was canoeing down the Whanganui river (pronounced fong-a-newy).  The steep mud rock sides lead straight to the water's edge, with moss and ferns covering nearly every inch.  Waterfalls were eerywhere, almost losing their majestic nature from abundance.  The river was flowing fast, leaving almost no rapids and the occasional dead goat to float by, feet in the air and belly up. 
Day 1 was a mixture of excitement and.... well pure misery.  It rained all day, soaking through raincoats, pants, and my boots.  By lunch I could not warm up.... My abs hurt from shivering, and my mood was less than enthusiastic.  I was miserable to say the least.  However, lunch allowed for more layers of clothing, and the day ended in a surprise hut accomodation, complete with a fire already roaring.  Heaven.  The girls in the program were on the verge of tears.

Day 2 was sunny!  It was also a day of ridiculous head winds, making travel slower, and at times aggravating.  After the day prior, I couldn't have asked for anything better.  O ya, my canoeing partner Emily Cyr and I named the canoe the USS Leiderhozzen as well, and yes I would say this in a German accent.  We stopped the day at a marae (ma-rye), or Maori meeting house.  Here, we enjoyed bunks once more, and a warm kitchen to cook in.  The next day we participaated in a traditional welcoming...kind of.  Basically, the Maori (2 ladies, an old guy, and his 16 and 10 year old sons who don't actually live there) would speak, and sing a song.  We then did the same.  Of course the singing was left to me, and Ilead the class in a group rendition of "Build me Up Buttercup."  I felt somewhat like an ass, but in reality the Maori loved it.  It was not a serious matter;  I mean the kids were screwing around during the whole ritual. 
Earlier in the day, we aided in preparing for the evening feast.  The women went in the kitchen to cut and package indiidual trays to be cooked in the earth oven.  Us men dug the earth oven and made a bonfire to heat up the stones;  this took like an hour and then we just watched the fire burn and relaxed.  Gotta love traditional gender roles.  We then placed the food in, covered it in burlap sacks, and filled in the hole to wait for hours.  The meal ended up having to be put in the oven regardless, but I ate my fill of kumara (sweet potatoes), potatoes, stuffing, chicken, lamb, and pork.  Mmmmmmm mmmmmm good.
The last day canoeing was even sunnier; hell I ate lunch shirtless and wore sandals in the canoe.  Now that is what I am talking about.  I also came to realize that day my true purpose in New Zealand.  I mean, I was so focused on climbing, however, I really just wanted to travel, see a new country and nature.  It was here I decided to focus on this after the program.


I kind of came to realize the purpose of the program as well.  MOst study abroad programs focus on the cultural side of a foreign counrty, the people if you will.  Ours did not, instead focusing on camping, birds and plants.  However, this program made me comfortable in either case; it has prepared me for my own travels, my own oddysey for growth, travel, and overall self-betterment.

Auckland:

We had a night in Auckland prior to leaving for our only backpacking trip.  First, let me say the town is dominated by an asian influence, with few restaurants able to hold english conversations or answer questions about the menues.  It was a point to order system.  Sure the food had MSG... but god damn was it the best sweet and sour pork of mylife.

So the backpacking was had on an island just off the coast.  One island was formed only 600 years ago, making it a tangle of volcanic rock and lichen.  The other, which was connected, was basically grazing land.  Four hours of rainsoaked hiking led us toour destination, horseshoe bay camprground.  Beatiful sand beach lined a grass field, with cows in the hills all around.  Despite being soaked through, I was warm... and thus happy.  It showed me that although the weather can suck, I can stay positive in the poor conditions with warmth and a steady stream of positiity.  OK backpackers, so here is what you should not carry on a real backpack trip due to weight :2 avocados, 7 apples, 1 kilo of cheese, 2 cans of beans, a 22 oz 8.5% beer, and 3 bananas.  Soooo worth it though. 

After a few days on the island spent watching student presentations, and much running for me, we left.  Getting back to Auckland was....good, but sad at the same time.  It dawned on us that the trip was over... we were splitting up.  That night A few of us went to get some pitchers and just hang out, reflect, and shoot the shit.  It was the best night I had...
A couple of days late, Abe and I were off to go backpack the Northern and Southern Circuit of the Tongariro Crossing.  BAsically, you hike a huge peak for a view of the Tongariro volcano, then traerse around the mound and around the next volcano, Nguroah (aka Mount Doom from Lord of the Rings).  We hitchhiked out from a town to the trailhead and spent the night at a hut at the beginning of the circuit.  There, we met a few Americans.  One couple were awesome, Rob and Eliza.  They gae me tips for further New Zealand traels, hikes, and even job references for forestry (GO Figure!).  People in huts are great.
The first day we busted ass, and made it half way around basically.  The hut we arrived at was a castle, able to slkeep around 20, with solar lights, hot water, and a liing room about the size of my house. 

The next day we got stuck in a gale.  For those of you who don't know what that is, it is crazy winds and sideways rain.  Hell, it got so strong it almost was knoicking us over, and this was in the lower elevation section.  As the psyche declined and we got chilled to the core, a sip of whiskey revived us and energized us.  We made it to the next hut, with other hikers already having a fire and good attitudes.  The afternooon was spent drinking hot tati's (whiskey, honey, and hot water) and talking to an interesting and outlandish Aussie named Ben.  Good day.  Throughout the nigtht, the winds picked up... we joked frequently about the windows being blown in or roof blown off.  Come to think of it, I am not sure if it was a legitimate concern or not ha!

ANyway, the next day was clear as a bell, with Abe and I making another 8 hour day.  It was long, and at times gruelling, but so enjoyable, and ending at a hut that was finally empty of others.  Ah, peace and quiet. 

The next day we hiked out to the road with questionable weather.  From there we hitch hiked back into town for a warm shower and the greasiest, egg-bacon-cheese-mushroom burgers we could get our hands on.  Thgis was much needed, as both of us had almost no food left ha! Even the peanut butter was gone by then.  The next morning, we each headed out separate ways: Abe north, and I hitchhiked south to wellington.

Hitchhiking actually works in this country.  It is safe, and with patience will get you anywehere.  Peoiple are just happy to haew the company in the car, a good conversation and friendly face.  I got two rides, one to the halfway point with an older gentleman who enlightenedme on all the latest conspiracies from the moon landing to 9/11.  It was fun though.  My next ride came from Max, a NZ native vintner.  At 28, he was great to relate to; he was heading to wellington to see a concert.  Best of all, when he dropped me in town he handed me a home-brewed stubby (32 oz) beer and said cheers.  Great guy.

So here I am in Wellington, by myself, but enjoying every moment.  Last night, some small talk lead to an invitation to drink and be merry with some of the local hostel residents.  It seemed all were from either England, Scotland, or Ireland.  Not a bad bunch though... they made me feel welcome and showed me a good time.  The night ended meeting two German girls (blonde of course) who I hung out with till the wee hours of the morning.  The people here are fantastic.  Tomorrow I fly out to DUnedin, and offically start my work on organic farms porobably on my birthday (may 18th).  Wish meluck, and Il keep you posted!