Settled in classes; but a case of itchy feet

This week found me FINALLY feeling at home and settled with school as well as live in Wellington. And do you know what that means? Means I have a case of itchy feet and need to move around more. Lucky for me, it's almost our two-week Easter vacation, just one more week of classes to get through.

Saturday (last Saturday, not yesterday) found me on an IFSA-Butler Day Trip. We were told to meet at the train station at 7:45am, which I made just in time. We boarded…a bus? Not gonna lie, I was a bit disappointed as I really like trains. We drove to YMCA camp north of Wellington close to the Tararuas, where I had previously tramped with the tramping club. It reminded me a lot of orientation (if you remember we also stayed at a YMCA there—though YMCA’s here are not YMCA’s at home). We were split into groups for the day and my group took to white-water kayaking.

After some discussion about kayak’s and water, we scrambled into a bus and headed to the Hutt River (if you’ve seen LOTR, you should be familiar with this river as Peter Jackson used it a bit, most notably for the ending of the 1st film). We put on our kayak skirts and jackets and I managed to squeeze into my kayak. They were very small and shallow, not the longer ones that I’m used to on lakes.

We got into the water and paddled around a bit just getting used to being in a current (that likes to spin your boat!). Satisfied with our ability, our two guides led us down the river. Probably five minutes after we started, my boat had two inches of water in it as I was swept by a rapid into a rock, pinned to the rock, and then my skirt came off so my boat was filling with water. My only concern was my camera, which was in a waterproof bag, floating in the kayak. At the end of the first bit of rapids, I got a chance to drain my boat as we talked more about how to tackle rapids.

These rapids were noting to crazy and the river was pretty shallow. We did end up going down a two foot chute, which was awesome as you had to steer between two large rocks or else you’d get pinned at the top of the chute. We then practiced paddling upstream at the mouth of a chute because there is a point where you are riding the wave and it becomes easy to just stay where you are.

The final bout of rapid found us all bunched up so all our boats where together and we collided into each other, into rocks, and boy, was it fun! At the end I was not satisfied with how wet I was so I dove into the river. We then were carted back to the Y for some…KAI!

Kai consisted of quiche, which was delicious, lunch meat, croissants (think I had at least seven), and kiwifruit! So good. During lunch we talked with the other groups. One had gone to work with animals in the morning and the other had gone natural horseback riding. Anna had fallen off her horse when it decided to run full speed into a fence, stopping moments before. After Kai, I headed off the horseback riding.

As this was natural horseback riding, we had to bridle the horses (essentially catch them, though this was not a hard task). We groomed them, cleaned out their hooves, brushed, etc. We saddled them, and finally got on! I was on Raz, a 22-year-old who was apparently in love with Cleo, a 28-year-old. One of the horse, Dusty, remained tied up…perhaps he was the horse that bucked Anna? After being led around a trek (one student on the horse, one student leading) I was content, but after my previous adventure on a horse, I craved more. After returning to the horse camp, we put on the reins and were ready for actual riding.

As soon as Raz and I pulled away from the fence, I knew I had an awesome horse. He liked to go fast. As we progressed on the trail, every time he could he would gallop and I would hang on for my dear life! He was crazy, but that’s how I roll, so we made quite a good pair. When we arrived at a clearing, he raced full speed across. Our instructor was calling out things I could do to slow down, but I was laughing too hard to do anything but hold on. It was about here that I realized this was probably the horse that bucked off Anna. When we arrived back to the horse camp, true to form, Raz raced towards the same fence. I got him to turn around though and we did a few circles before he settled down. It was such a fun ride!

After we finished we returned them to their fields and I laughed watching Raz roll on the ground in the same manner my black lab does! Our instructor did mention she was worried about me riding once we took off, but I assured her it was the most fun I’d had on a horse yet.

They fed us carrot cake? Sure, why not! We boarded the bus and ended up by the Asian night market, which we explored while losing the group. My night ended up with me getting a lil’ trim from Hannah, who has a history of cutting hair, and trying to watch the movie Up. Though I feel asleep 30 mins in after such a long day!

Sunday – found me writing my first paper in New Zealand, which was only 1,000 words on a Maori composer: Ngoingoi Pewharangi. She composed such hits as “Poi E” and “E ipo”, maori music that successfully crossed over into Pakeha culture (pakeha = non-Maori Kiwis).

Monday – handed in that paper! And I went shopping for tramping gear, to calm my case of itchy-foot! But I bought NOTHING as easter sales start later this week.

Tuesday – woke up at 7:00 for Yoga with Briar at 7:30 at the gym. Second time in my life I’ve done yoga, and it was alright. The best part was how much sun flooded the room and the view of the city. I went to Maori language and Maori music; which are both picking up. After dinner I went to the tramping club meeting, mostly about their trip this weekend called bushcraft. Essentially trail-less hiking. The taught us compass skills.

Wednesday – happiest day ever. Woke up at 8:30 so that I’d close to Kathamandu by 9, the start of their sale. Today was for members only and members received an additional 15% off the total bill. And this was some sale! Almost everything was 50% off, with some things more and just a few things at 25%. I bought a pack, gaiters, boots, and many other pieces of gear that had me grinning ear to ear as I walked into Criminology. We have a test Friday! After my Maori music tut (tutorial), I went back to Kathmandu and purchased a couple things I hadn’t had time to get including shirts! I know own an entire outfit that contains 0% cotton and feel quite ready to embark on epic adventures!
That evening found me so happy that I couldn’t focus on anything and thus decided to try to make pancakes. My recipe called for buttermilk and my flat mates had never heard of it! It does exist here, though rare. However did you know you can make buttermilk with milk and vinegar? Because I do now! It seemed weird, but it made great golden brown cinnamon-banana-spice pancakes. I left Briar, who asked for one in the morning, a mickey mouse shaped panackae in the fridge. Such a great day!

Thursday – went to class, not much to report, except another test next week for Maori! We had tried to schedule a neighborhood BBQ for this evening, but it fell through as Dan, the neighbor who was organizing it, had gotten his wisdom teeth removed that morning. Why is this important? Because I cook on Thursdays and had no dinner plan due to the bbq! But I prevailed and delivered a meal consisting of French toast, banana-cinnamon pancakes, apple-cinnamon pancakes, and extra cooked apple bits to serve on top. I felt quite proud at my very nutritious dinner! After dinner I still found it hard to study for my test the following day and I ended up on facebook (what?) and talked with a neighbor Zach, who was headed to a concert Friday night. He invited me and anyone in my flat who wanted to come. So I bought my ticket for 20. Sophie was keen on going as were her friends Ryan and Tan.

Friday – Study, study, study with Armelle and Hannah. We wiped through all the crim material so fast Armelle and I had time to make chocolate chip cookies! However we were out of chocolate chips! So we improvised with drinking chocolate and banana. Interesting cookie, but not bad! We then had our test, which did not go as well as I wanted, but we’ll see.

Weekend had started and Hannah, Grace, and I headed off to see Max (another IFSA Butler kid). He lives in Stafford, where they have to check all guests in. But it’s a nice place, though it lacks an oven. He made a delicious dinner but I had to pull out early as I was eager to get to the show.

When I returned to my flat, it turned out Sophie didn’t get a ticket and that there was a chance we could get her one at the door. We decided to try and Zack, Matt (his flatmate), Sophie, and I got a ride from Liam (another of Zack’s flatmates). We found Tan and Ryan, and went in to the San Francisco Bathhouse, the concert venue to see Naked & Famous opening for Minuit, both NZ indie/electric bands. I was so stoked to see NZ music and thanked Zach over and over for letting us know. It was such a great show. Some woman thought I wasn’t into the music enough and gave me a glow bracelet that I could only wear if I danced, so I danced! But the moment I stopped she took it back. I pleaded with her that I could do better and she gave me a second chance. Probably the strangest interaction I’ve had with a Kiwi. After McD’s everyone was exhausted and went to bed while I went over to Hannah’s. My night ended up at Hannah’s house making some yummy food before Grace and I crashed at her place.

Saturday (yesterday) – up and moving slowly. Said I had a lot to do but I didn’t get much of anything done. Though I had a nice skype with my parents, went grocery shopping, and bought a loaf of French bread, such a good move! It made the best toasty I’ve had yet. That evening, I headed to Jo, Josh (alan’s bf), Alex, and Sylvan’s flatwarming! It was Alice in Wonderland themed and they had even constructed a rabbit hole for their door. I met some more kiwis, got to know some kiwis better, and had a wonderful time. Sophie and I cut out early as we were exhausted. It was great weekend full of Kiwis! Not bad for this American. It was also nice to stay home for a whole weekend for a change.

Peace!