Rip, curl, snooze...
I had every intention of going surfing on Friday. Every intention. But, let me tell you a little story about mind over matter. It doesn't always work...
To make a short story long:
Woke up leisurely on Friday, ate my breakfast--more toast, read The Economist for a bit (not necessarily with the intention of trying to look smart in front of all the cute single male backpackers in the breakfast room, but maybe just a little--however, I think it has the opposite effect). Then, decided to walk down to Circular Quay to catch the Manly Ferry to the beach. Took my time walking. Decided to check out Mooks, one of the coolest stores in Australia, which is located in the Galerie Victoria, next to the amazing architectural wonder, the Queen Victoria Building which is also a shopping center. However, I had already checked out the QVB and decided it was way out of my price league. Anyway, went to Mooks and talked myself out of buying a cute little sweatsuit and handbag. Kept on walking down toward the Quay. Stopped by the Parliament Building and had a little tour after stripping down to my knickers (well, almost) to get through security. Actually, I'm exaggerating. The security was nothing like it would be back home. Walked around, waved at all the men in wigs, nearly walked into an official government meeting, and trotted out back to the street.
I made it down to the wharf about 15 minutes before the next ferry. Plenty of time, no more Forrest Gump. Plopped down to listen to my favorite Aboriginal peoples playing their digeridoos until about 11:20 a.m. when I headed back toward the wharf. Uh-oh. Now the schedule has been changed. No ferry until 12 p.m.!!!! UGH!!! Apparently there was some accident with the 11:30 and it had run into the wharf or something. I don't know. Didn't see any damage myself, but you know, me and ships are kind of like me and cars, although I'm probably better with ships 'cuz they at least they can float along if they break down, right? Anyway, they announced that there would be a bus leaving instead for those who didn't want to wait until 12. Decided I'd go catch the bus, but it didn't arrive until 11:50 and then waited around until 12. Nice one.
Got to Manly about 12:30 and started heading down the Corsco toward the beach when I suddenly felt the need to pass out. From exhaustion, I think. Hm. If I can't even stand up walking then how will I be able to stand up on a surfboard? I darted (well, wobbled) into the local juice bar and bought myself an acai recovery smoothy with an energy shooter (all herbs and fruits, people). Sucked 'em down and went on my merry way to the beach. 'Soon as I got there my mind went, "OOooooooo!! Surfing!" and my body went, "OOOooooo, sand!!!" My body won and I plopped down on the sand where I stayed and slept for a good two or three hours. I saw many surfers out of the corner of my eye, watched a couple of surfing students come and go (picked up some pointers from my right ear--the one not immersed in sand). Finally I woke up, went and bought some food, and came back to the sand where I attached myself like I mussel for another good while. At about 4:30 I made my way groggily toward the cinema. "Oh, look!" says my mind to my body, "There's a 4:45 showing of TransAmerica!" Body says, "Fine. Can we get a gelato first?" SO, me, myself, and my American Chocolate Gelato went to the movie. It was a good one. Felicity Huffman (sp?) was brilliant, although I wonder why they didn't get a transexual or transgendered person to play the part... Same reason they don't hire gay actors (or so they think) to play gay characters? Because it wouldn't be "acting"? Oh, is that why they don't hire heterosexual actors to play hetero characters? Sorry. Soapbox.
Anyway, that was Friday.
Saturday: (My LAST DAY in Sydney!)
Woke up early this time. Still ate my toast in a leisurely fashion and still read my Economist, trying to pick up some cute backpacker. Think it worked although I haven't yet figured out to do once I make mutual eye contact. Okay, I'm thirty going on thirteen. I guess "coyly" burying my face back in the magazine is not sending a friendly message. Anyway, people tell me my coy face looks more like, 'What the *&*@# do you want?" Yeah, gotta work on that one. Whatever.
Then, I walked on over to Paddington Market where I planned to spend two hours and instead spent nearly four, agonizing over all the beautiful things that I wanted to buy, yet feeling it would be highly inappropriate to do so. This particular market was much nicer than the one I had walked through at The Rocks on Sunday. Much less touristy, and everything is hand made by local artisans: jewelry, paintings, clothing, clocks, scarves, etc. All very beautiful and creative.
Well, I may be a shopaholic. I'm not quite ready to admit it yet because that would mean setting out on a road to recovery. I made a full trip around the market, practicing the words, "No, just browsing," before I sat down awaiting a moment of clarity while I chewed on a Thai spring roll. Finally, I made a list of the things I wanted to buy and made myself cross out half of them. Then, I ended up buying the others as well as half of the things I had crossed off. So, next time I should cross out three-fourths of my list, I suppose...
After Paddington, I walked shamefully and guilt-ridden back toward the hotel to drop off my purchases (out of sight, out of mind). Then, I walked through Chinatown and found a Chinese bakery where I bought some pastries--one of those sticky rice balls with custard inside and a red bean roll for breakfast on the plane the following morning. I made my way over to the Chinese Friendship Tea Garden. Walked around and regained my serenity for a bit until the mozzies started to bite cuz it was right around 5 p.m. Tried desperately to holistically appreciate the mosquitoes and the gardens for their innate worth. Breathe in, breathe out, and slap yourself silly cuz them are some bloody little buggers! Decided I'd leave both the mozzies and the gardens in their holistic peace, but find myself another little place to be. Walked over through some sort of Nepalese festival in the park. Thought I would buy myself some Nepalese momos for dinner. I think that's what they're called--they're steamed dumplings. Anyway, apparently all the Nepalese people had the same idea cuz that was the most popular booth. Guess I won't know what's inside the dumplings. I'll get back to you after my next big trip--Southeast Asia.
Finally ended up at Darling Harbour and Cockle Bay. Sat there and watched the sun go down. Then I headed over to a restaurant listed as mighty scrumptious by the Lonely Planet. It was on the other side of the Aquarium all the way around the bay. When I got there, I realized it wasn't a very fun place for a dinner party of one. No place to hide, really. Loud music, boisterous crowds... would be all right with a group of friends, but just wasn't feeling it. So, I jumped on my last ferry and went back to Circular Quay. Ended up at another LP restaurant called Bodha. It was absolutely delicious. Good, wholesome, vegan Chinese food. I had steamed dumplings (finally) and a spicy tofu dish. And green tea with real leaves in it. It was right by the park and next to St. Mary's, so I still had a fairly decent backdrop.
And, that, my friends and family members, concludes my whirlwind tour of the South Island, New Zealand, and Sydney, Australia. Now, I have 500 photos to go through and a full day of teaching tomorrow. Entonces, muy buenas noches...
Love,
Sara
Forrest Gump and the Blue Mountains
TODAY (Thursday):
If you haven't yet read the previous post, you may not get the Forrest Gump reference. Today, I decided to make a wilderness trip into the bush, up in the Blue Mountains, which is about a two-hour train ride from Central Station in Sydney. Woke up early enough to catch the 7:25 a.m. train, then decided before I left my hotel, "Oh look! I'm early!" I don't know how I figured that since I don't have a watch, but I decided to scarf down some of the free breakfast (more toast) and lukewarm coffee before I left. Suddenly, I got the feeling that I might be running late since breakfast started at 7, so I made a sandwich out of my two remaining pieces of PB toast and took off running (not kidding) for the train station. I ran like the wind--choppy wind, mind you, cuz it's not easy to run in big ol' hikin' boots. I got to the station right at 7:25 a.m., but still had to buy a ticket. By the time I got my ticket and figured out where I needed to be, my train had left. The next one was not due to leave until 55 minutes later. !!!!@&@# is what I said to myself. I gave myself a big talking to for being so silly about trying to get a free breakfast and then went and ordered a proper coffee from the railway deli--with an extra shot of espresso. I sat there and wrote in my journal for over half an hour or so. Then, I decided to go to the restroom. After all that, I found myself nearly late for the next train so I ran to the platform to catch it. Yes, I made it.
Got to Katoomba around 10:30. Katoomba is just outside The Blue Mountains World Heritage Site. I walked all the way down the main drag (no way was I going to pay $15 for the double decker bus) and then all the way to the trail heads after getting some info from the YHA. The views from the visitor's center at the trail heads are unbelievable. Then, it was time for some bushwalking: I did the Three Sisters Walk, The Great Stairs, part of the Dardanelles Pass and the Federal Pass straight up to the Scenic Railway. That whole walk was supposed to take 3 hours and it took me about 1.5 (it's the Forrest Gump syndrome--I'm stuck in running mode). Well, then I began to feel a little overly confident and, even though I'd ruled against it before due to time constraints, decided that just maybe I should do the 12 km return walk labeled "HARD" to the Ruined Castle. This is the name of a rock formation in the middle of the Blue Mountains Park from which you can get spectacular views. I sat there teetering on indecision for a bit (but no walking in circles this time) and then finally decided to go for it.
When I started the bush walk around the Scenic Railway area, there were several people around. As I continued there were fewer and fewer and fewer until the only people I saw were coming toward me after having completed the trek. Apparently I was getting a bit of a late start. It was around 1 pm, and most people had started the walk really early as to avoid getting stuck out there after dark. (Close your eyes for a minute, Mom:) I thought maybe I should have told someone where I was going. Or at least I should have brought my headlamp, maybe even an antivenom kit? Well, I didn't. I was just really careful about where I stepped and decided, again, to Forrest Gump it pretty much all the way to the Ruined Castle (yeah, I know--those two things sound mutually exclusive, but they're not--trust me). By that time, I'd caught up with another couple of people hiking that way. I made it to the top of the Castle rock formation and it was SOOOOO worth it. A little bit of a scary climb at the very tippy top, but not bad and the views, yes, the views were spectacular. Panoramic views of the entire plateau and basin, the entire ridge line and the Three Sisters rock formation.... I was a happy hiker. Unfortunately, I pretty much limped my way back down the whole trail b/c hiking shoes are not good running shoes and my heels are completely buggered. Sore. I think I have what my friend Emily calls "heel spurs." Whatever it is, it hurts.
The good news is that although I had no idea of the time (was trying to work it out based on my shadow but not getting anywhere with that strategy), I made it to the end of the trail just in time to catch the last rail car UUUUUUUUP the mountain (the steepest track in the world), and the LAST bus back to town. I actually got off the bus in Leura, a quaint little mountain town, and ate dinner at a little rundown but cute cafe. I had a salmon and leek tart. Then I ordered a slice of Baked Ricotta Torte for takeaway (to go) which I ate on the train home. And, now I'm at the Internet cafe right near Central Station. And I'm completely stuffed--as in "tired," as my flatmate, Aidan, would say. Time to go to my fancy hotel.
Love,
Me
The Baby Ate My Dingo!!!!
Wait, no, that's not quite how it goes, is it? In any case, I have neither a baby nor a dingo, so just in case you were worried, it was all a big rumour (yeah, I know, I put a "u" in there--when in Rome...). Um, where did I leave off last night? With clean clothes :). LOL. Yeah, okay, Barbara. You're right. I need to find someone to talk to. I'm getting way too slapstick silly just hanging out with myself for so long.
Whoa. Anyway, so after I saw the Fastest Indian movie (was half-price night! :)), I took the ferry back to Steve's place (well, to Circular Quay, and then from there I took the bus. Unfortunately the captain couldn't be bribed into door-to-door ferry service). By that time it was really really late (like--gasp!--10:30) and I still had to take a shower and eat some toast so I didn't get to bed until (GASP!!!) midnight. A bit about the movie: Good stuff. Anthony Hopkins rides the world's fastest Indian, which, by the way, is a motorcycle. And we all know how I like motorcycles. And fast things. So there you go. Not only that, the main character played by Hopkins is a kiwi, so the story takes place in New Zealand and the States. I forgot to mention one very important occurrence. Just before the movie I bought some Gelatto which is some of the best Gelatto I've ever had. Yum.
The next day, I got up and took it easy, had 2 cups of (horror!) instant coffee and some toast. Toast for breakfast, toast for dinner, but toast will never make me thinner. LOL!!!!!!!!!! Oh, gawd, I am killing myself here. I'm the funniest person I know. Back to the travelogue, I was out the door by 'round 10 am and decided to walk down to Circular Quay where I just missed the ferry to Taronga Zoo. So, I wandered around in circles trying to figure out what to do with myself for about 20 minutes. Then I saw some Aboriginal musicians playing digeridoos. It was awesome, enchanting, and so I decided to buy the CD, but didn't have the proper change so I walked around in some more circles looking for change. Finally bought some water and got change. Then I walked back in a few more circles and went back to the musicians just as they were packing up and realized I was about to miss the ferry!!! I shoved the money in their loincloths, I mean, pockets, grabbed a CD, and ran off to catch my ferry. This was now becoming a theme for me: having PLENTY of time to get somewhere and then deciding to waste some of it until I really need to be at that somewhere, and then finding myself busting a move to get there on time. Anyway, I JUST made the ferry.
Taronga Zoo:
So unimpressed. Sorry. I did not like this zoo. I found it depressing and I found myself resisting the strong inclination to liberate all of the animals. First of all, you take a sky lift to the top of the zoo and walk down. Well, they put me in one with a mom and a stinky kid. Maybe the nappies should have been changed BEFORE the sky lift. Then, at the zoo, many of the enclosures were not clean or attractive. I took a pic of the poor spider monkey exhibit just to show you all how bad it looked. I mean, not as bad as some travelling zoos or anything, but I'd heard really good things about this zoo. It did not meet the high expectations that I'd had. Oh yeah, and there were some Italians throwing bacon at the spider monkeys. They thought it was hilarious watching the monkeys catch the bacon. Dude, spider monkeys eat fruit, not pork. It was depressing seeing these animals scrambling for bacon (no pun intended) in an ugly concrete area since I'd become used to seeing them swinging freely through the chicozapote trees in Guatemala (often throwing things at me).
On a good note, I did succumb to a couple of the attractions (yes, I'm a hypocrite) and got my photo taken with a koala. OHHHHHHHHH, sooooo cute! Well, at least I didn't throw bacon at it, 'kay? Also, got to see a Komodo Dragon slip on a rock (I think he was a little embarrassed), a Tasmanian Devil, dingos, a duckpilled platypus, ghost bats, wallabys, and lots of other cool Australian animals. I skipped the Asia and Africa exhibits 'cuz I just couldn't be bothered. And, I was afraid I might try to ride one of the elephants to its freedom.
After I returned from the zoo, I got a sandwich and made myself sit down for a minute and eat it on a bench in Circular Quay by the harbour. Then suddenly it began to rain. Well, I hadn't figured out what to do with myself yet so I began to do this walking in circles thing again. I did that for about half an hour til finally I decided to buy myself a Ferrero Rocher flavoured gelatto. YUMMMY! Then, it began to rain harder so I started to walk back to the apartment. Duh. Why I didn't just catch a bus at Circular Quay, I don't know. Suddenly, it became more apparent to me that I was walking in the rain, and I looked up and realized that I was right next to my bus, the 389, which was stopped at a light. Unfortunately, it was not stopped at a bus stop. Then, the light began to change, so I raced the bus to the next stop and just made it. I'm like friggin' Forrest Gump these days. I seem to run everywhere.
I got back to the apartment and that's when I began to pack my things and move to my hotel in Hyde Park. Oh, that sounds really posh. No, it's a shared dorm in the Y Hotel. I moved my stuff, dumped it, changed clothes, and went to the boxing gym for a couple of hours. That was my Wednesday. Let's see. I don't know if I yet have the energy to write about today. I think I'll publish this one first as it's becoming quite the lengthy post.
Ciao (how do you say, "don't throw bacon at the monkeys" in Italian?),
Sara
Manly Scenic Walk and the Taronga Zoo
Omigod. Look, I'm just halfway through my Sydney visit and I swear, I am EXHAUSTED. I think it's more exhausting traveling by oneself. More time to think about how tired you are, less idle chatter with a companion to keep your mind off of it, I guess. I think I'm ready to be back home in Auckland, but yet I still have so much to see!
I actually checked into the YWCA Hotel today b/c I was a little worried about overstaying my welcome with Jeanette's friend, Steve. He seemed to be under the impression that I was going to go visit Jeanette at her place for a coupla days and when I told him, no, I was just going to the zoo today, he looked a little confused. In the end, I have stayed four nights in his bed while he sleeps on an air mattress, so I just made the executive (ha--as if there could be anyone else involved in my current decision-making) decision to check myself into a little hostel type place. I am staying in a shared dorm, but only four beds and so far just one other girl has checked in. The beds are firm, at least--not all bumpy and weird like the last few places I've stayed in (except for Steve's), so hopefully my back won't suffer any more than it already has. Now, when I left Steve's and told him I was going to a hotel, he still looked confused and then I started to feel bad that I'd offended him. But, I was feeling bad about overstaying my welcome and now I feel bad that maybe I should have stayed, but, you see, I must always feel bad about something. You would think I was brought up Catholic. Nope. Just a guilt-ridden worrier. Now that I do blame on my parents but not b/c of upbringing. More to do with genetics. Oh, I'm rambling. Back to Sydney:
Yesterday I spent the ENTIRE day in Manly, which is a little coastal area across the bay. I took the ferry from Circular Quay, which was a half-hour ride. I wanted so badly to stand on the bow and pull a "Titanic" pose but they wouldn't let me. I got the next best thing which was to stand in the upper front area (I forget what they call that part of the ship. Damn! I'm not a pirate after all). Took loads of pics. Then, I walked down the main drag which was blocked off to cars for Anzac day, so it was pretty much a pedestrian mall. Made it down to the beach and pondered for quite while about whether or not I would go for a surf. Finally decided against it cuz I didn't want to be wet and gross for my four-hour walk on the Manly Scenic Trail. Headed out toward the scenic trail when I was attacked by a shoe store right at the end of the main drag. I swear, some shoe store monster just pulled me right in and made me by the most chidisisimo pair of boots I've ever seen. Problem was I was getting ready to go on a LONG hike, but found a way to stuff them in my backpack and headed out on the trail. No, Dad, I don't know what I'm going to leave in order to make room for all this stuff but I'm starting to think it will be my brain b/c I'm losing more and more of it each day. Is it the fatigue or overstimulation? Or too much alone time???? Well, whatever....
So I went and walked all along the Manly coastline. It's like a scenic walk on the edge of the city. Goes through small cliffs, coves, fishing wharfs, beaches. It's a really cute walk. Reminded me a lot of northern California. I actually completed the walk in a little less than three hours. I was really bookin' it. I'm starting to get the "Oh no! There's too much to see and not enough time!" bug which is making me anxious but quite speedy, actually. I'm like the little Tasmanian Devil I saw at the zoo today. He wouldn't even stop running long enough for a picture. I had to video him. Reminded me of Dante when he was a wee pup.
Well, after my Manly walk it started to rain, but I made it to the end. Then I caught I bus back the the wharf where I decided to sit my butt down and eat a decent fish meal, so I had some perch. Then, I walked around for another two hours along the beach and down all the side streets, killing time before I went to see The World's Fastest Indian.
Uh-oh. To be continued. My time is running out and I've gotta go get my laundry!
More later,
Sara
No Worries Down Under
I made it to Sydney! What a spectacular city (I'm running out of creative adjectives for beautiful on this trip). I arrived Saturday night and was recruited by the driver an airport shuttle, which worked out to be much cheaper than taking a cab. Arrived at Steve's apartment 'round 9 p.m. (He's a friend of my friend, Jeanette, who lives two hours south of Sydney). Chatted with him for awhile and then just PASSED OUT. He's been very nice and given me his bedroom while he sleeps in what resembles a closet of a room on an air mattress. The gesture is greatly appreciated b/c I haven't slept on a comfortable bed in quite awhile. Needless to say I've been sleeping like a baby these past coupla nights...
Sunday morning I got up early and Steve showed me the public transport ropes, so I bought a 7-day bus/ferry/train pass and headed down to Town Hall, where I walked through the Victoria building where there are tons of beautiful (there I go again) stores and shoppes. Fortunately for me, most of them were closed, so I just did a bit of window shopping. Then, I walked down to The Rocks, another shopping area. I did less window shopping here and more real shopping. Found the cutest little puppet workshop and bought a marionnette for my niece, Emily, and an Australian animals mobile for my other baby niece, Melanie. I also bought a couple of small surprises for my beloved dog sitters, Katie and Dee (my sister and her partner--my other sister).
Jeanette and her nine-month-old twins were actually in town for a couple of days to hang out with me, so I met them after my shopping spree on Sunday for lunch at the Sydney Opera House. I had crusted kingfish with ginger and bok choy, which she shouted me (that's kiwi/ozzie for "her treat"). It was muy rico. We walked around for awhile, 'round the Harbor and through the Botanical Gardens, and then headed back to Darlinghurst (the neighborhood in which I'm staying) for a coffee. Then she dropped me off at Steve's but I didn't yet have a key, so I walked down to Sulley Hills down Oxford St and (oops--more shopping) bought myself a t-shirt that says :"I make stuff up." It just cracked me up when I saw it so I had to get it for a laugh. Anyway, if you ask my friends it's actually true cuz I have this habit of pretending to know things when people ask me questions and I may or may not really know the answer (it just happens, completely unintentional!). My friend Katie always calls me on it. At least now I've got a shirt to warn people...
After that, I just walked back to the apt and by that time Steve was home. He went out with some friends and I just read for awhile and then CRASHED out on my cozy bed.
Today, I got up relatively early--thought I'd go for a run, but talked myself out of it. Then, I headed out to check out Paddington, another nearby neighborhood with lots of cool clothing stores. Walked the other way down Oxford St. and didn't get too far before I found a store called Sports Girl. Tried on clothes there for about an hour and then put some things on hold while I went to another store called Mambo (Jeanette had already given me a tank that says Mambo Goddess when she left Mexico--everyone always asks me about it). I didn't find any bargains at Mambo, so I started to walk on down the street when I spotted a store called Rodeo Show and a little sign that said, "CLEARANCE." Well, I went in there and talked myself out of (tragedy) most of the things I tried on except for three lovely pieces--a lightweight brown jacket, a teal peacoat, and a black knit sweater (all for about $70 US--and they are NICE clothes!!!) Then I went back and picked up the two things I'd left at Sports Girl--a pair of tan jeans and another jacket. All in all I am quite impressed with my self control, although I don't know how I'm going to get all these things back to Auckland, much less back to the States.
Then I met Jeanette, Hazel, and Leo (the twins) and we drove out to Watson's Bay and had a picnic of fish and chips that we got from Doyle's. Got some fabulous shots of the bay and across it, the Sydney Harbo(u)r Bridge. Also walked up to a point called The Gap and took more photos. A bizarre little extra tidbit: Apparently this is a common place for people to commit suicide. So, a common expression in Sydney is, "Oh, why don't you just go jump off the Gap..." Well, I told you it was bizarre. After that, we went to Bondi Beach and walked around and had some coffee. Got to check out some surfers, although the beach was pretty bare cuz it was quite windy today. Anyway, we didn't stay long cuz it was time to get the kids home. Jeanette is such a cute little mommy!
Got back to the apt and then changed for boxing. Found a boxing gym online and jumped on a bus--was really easy! I got a week pass for $20 cuz, you see, I am new to Sydney and shopping around for boxing gyms.. (wink wink). Worked out for about an hour and a half and I AM SO out of fit (out of shape in American)!!!! I mean, I have been really active these past several days but boxing is different. Different muscles, and muscles that don't generally have a lot of endurance, so here I go again, working my way back up to the proper fitness level.
Well, I'm gonna go home and have some tea and toast for dinner, so I'll be back to update you in a couple of days.
Love you and miss you all,
Sara
Cathedrals, Tattoos, and Backtracking
Okay, I actually have a few more minutes here cuz the Cathedral took less time than I thought. Don't mean to sound haughty but the cathedral was not all that fascinating. Doesn't compare much to those in Europe, particularly after having seen St. Mark's in Venice not too long ago. Plus, and maybe it's just me, but I don't like the feeling of being the STARED AT little tattooed girl. Guess it's better than having to wear the paper sheath that they made me put on in Italy. A good friend of mine has a t-shirt that says, "Jesus loves me and my tattoos." I need one of those.
I did climb the Bell Tower--134 stairs. A nice little workout. Now I'm getting ready to go get my fringe (bangs) cut b/c it is driving me mad. Don't want to get my hair cut until I can get back to see Lyric in Athens. I did manage to put a semi-permanent rinse in it not too long ago. The blonde roots were starting to show. I'm spacey enough as it is and don't need any "your blonde roots are showing" jokes to add to it...
Like I said, I still have some updates left from Queenstown. On Wednesday, before the jetboat/heli/rafting combo, I got up early and went for a run. Then, I took the Skyline Gondola up to the top of the Queenstown Hill (I think that's what it's called) and luged down it three times. There's this luge at the top and you can buy a pass to ride up to 5 times. There's a ski lift that takes you up and then you luge down. I sort of crashed on the first ride. This little girl became my friend and offered me her guiding services, so she basically showed me the ropes. Then my second two rides were smooth sailing...
I have so many new favorite hobbies: luge riding, Irish jigging, pool playing, bungy jumping....
That night after the water/heli adventures, I did partake in the spa, which is in a sort of wooden enclosure that you can rent out at the front desk of the Pinewood Lodge. I rented it for a half hour at 8 p.m., so I had a nice view of the stars (you can see out the top of the enclosure). It was incredibly relaxing. I really needed it. As we speak, I am so exhausted...slowly running out of steam and I'm sitting here wondering, "What's wrong with me? Why am I so low energy?" Then I stop to think about the fact that I've had absolutely no rest in a week, except for the bus ride yesterday which was not all that restful (probably due to the triple espresso).
Yeah, well... I'll sleep well on the plane today.
More later. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....
Me
Christchurch in a Day
Yup. And that's about all the time I need here. It's nice, but just a big city and you really can see the highlights in a day. Left from Queenstown yesterday morning and took the bus for 9 hours up to Christchurch. Was a gorgeous ride. I did not sleep at all. Stayed awake with my mouth open and eyes bugged looking out the window the whole time, jammin' out to U2 on my MP3, singing "WIDE AWAAAAAAAAAAKKKE!" Okay, it really was beautiful, but that all also had a lot to do with the triple espresso that I had before I left.
I'm really gonna have to go back and edit these blogs cuz every time I find myself writing them I only have like 10 minutes to do so before I have to run off to my next activity. There's so much I want to say, to tell you, to describe.... to remember for myself! I will definitely be adding some info about my travels once I get back to Auckland.
Last night arrived in CC at about 5:30. Made my way to my dingey little backpacker's (hostel) and threw down my bags, powdered my nose (literally), smacked (?) on some eyeliner and headed out on the town. Went out and grabbed a local paper and some sushi and then went and ate in the Cathedral Square. I called Sarah who is also in town with her parents. They arrived a coupla days ago. Anyway, she and I met up and hung out with her parents a bit before they headed back to the hotel. Then Sarah and I went off walking around town and ended up at a little pub where we played three very very mean games of pool. After that we went to Bog, an Irish pub, where I danced my little butt off, learned how to dance like the Irish. It's great fun! A lot like boxing (the feet movement, sort of--well, a lot like skipping rope in a way). Had a blast!!!
This morning got up EARLY to go down and partake in the FREE cornflakes (ooo, aaaahhh) and head off for my full day in CC before I catch the plane to Sydney this evening. Have so far done one complete self-guided walking tour, visited the Canterbury Museum, walked through the Arts Center, putzed around the open air market, and talked myself out of buying fake Uggs (or however it's spelled). Now I'm off to climb the Cathedral Tower!!! More soon...
Love,
Sara
Awesome Foursome Challenge
Addendum to the Routeburn info:
Forgot to expound on my lack of observation to detail... So on the way up to the Routeburn trailhead, the bus stopped in Glenorchy. The driver had informed us in Queenstown that we would be staying on the SAME bus but getting off in Glenorchy for a 20-minute break to pick up some more people. Well, when I got back on the bus I had to sit in the very back (on the way to Glenorchy I was in the very first seat). I started to look around and think that we had changed buses. In fact, I became absolutely convinced that this was the case. Just before the bus took off, I made my way all the way up to the front to ask people who had been on the earlier bus with me if they had moved their packs. I was afraid that mine was stuck on another bus. They looked at me strangely and said that, no, this was the same bus. I had them assure me that this was so, and finally exclaimed to a bus full of people. "Don't mind me. I think I'm losing my mind." Yes, how smooth am I? So smooth. Yeah, okay. A little spacey.
Awesome Foursome (brief summary cuz I'm about to go sit in the spa that I have reserved for half an hour--one of the few luxuries this particular lodge offers):
So, today I completed the other three extreme feats that were left in my Awesome Foursome package. Yesterday, if you remember, I did the Nevis bungy. Today, I did the
Shotover River jetboating--
A jetboat flies around the Shotover river, careening around sharp turns in the canyon and doing 360 spins. It was so wild. I did not fall out. I had a great time!!!
Helicopter ride over Skipper's Canyon--
They let me sit in the very front. I loved it. I want to get my pilot's license.
Shotoever River rafting--
Rafted through class 3 to 5 rapids. Sat in the back with my very gorgeous Maori tour guide, "Chief." Again, I did not fall out. And I think I'm in love. Oh well, have to leave tomorrow. No time for romantic endeavors and I don't think Chief is planning on moving to California anytime soon.
Just got back a little while ago and grabbed some fish and chips. Mmmmm. Orange Roughy. So yummy.
Off to Christchurch in the morning!
Love,
Me
Mission Impossible 4
I think I've found my new calling as a stunt double... OOOOOOhhh, where do I start here?
3-Day Backpacking Trip:
Yes, well last night I came back from three days on the Routeburn Track, which apparently was rated as one of the top 12 best walks in the world by National Geographic. It was stunning, although pretty wet the first and second days. Fortunately and unfortunately, I had bought a rain suit a few weeks before I left. However, in my attempt to be frugal I got one that is absolutely impermeable and so although I was kept dry from the rain, I was drenched in sweat by the time I arrived to my hut on the first night. Yuck. Two more full days of hiking and nooooo showers. Guess it was good that I was hiking alone.
In fact, though, one does not really hike alone on any of the Great Walks in New Zealand. There were many stretches when I was completely alone, but it's pretty common to pass or be passed by other merry trampers. The first day of hiking I took a four-hour detour on a side trail with another guy from California. Good thing he was leading cuz my sense of direction is nil. Guess that goes hand-in-hand with my general lack of attention to detail. Well, I prefer to say that it's "deep thinking" that keeps me from noticing my surroundings. (I'm an idea person, 'kay? 100% intuitive and 0% sensing.... What can I say? I'm my dad's daughter.) Anyway, it was gorgeous. We hiked through mossy forests and then grassy plains that were made of "mole hill" type things. Quite a challenging walk. The views from all parts of the track were phenomenal, each one different from the next. Hiked through mountains and valleys and waterfall after waterfall after waterfall. I can't begin to explain it. As soon as I can I will try to put some pics up, but more likely you'll just have to wait for the slide show when I return.
The Routeburn Track winds through both Mt. Aspiring National Park and Fiordlands National Park. Much of The Lord of the Rings was filmed around this track. Now, when I get back I'll have to watch the movies and maybe I won't fall asleep this time (Gasp! Blaspheme!). I spent two nights in huts: one at Routeburn Falls and the next at Lake MacKenzie. They were both quite nice although I'm so glad to be back in a room of my own here in Queenstown. They were packed--50 people in each. I was so worried about someone snoring when as it turns out I was the dreaded snorer. Well, I'm not sure of it, but I have this sneaking feeling it was me. Of course, however, my snoring is daintly and lady-like just like me (rolling laughter).
Anyway, the hiking was just out of this world, and I'm so proud of myself for doing a backpacking trip into the wilderness on me' own. Pretty cool. BUT NOT AS BADASS AS THIS!!!!!!::::
AJ Hackett Nevis High Wire Bungy Jump:
Today I DID IT!!!! I am absolutely off my rocker. I am more insane than I ever thought. Today I JUMPED OFF of a 134 metre (that's over 400 feet) platform suspended on wires over the middle of a canyon. I just jumped, man. I just jumped. I jumped before they could count to 3, that's how ready I was (cuz you don't really want to be standing on that platform anymore). And then afterwards I kept asking random fellow bungy jumpers if they could believe that I just did that. Can you believe I just did that? Cuz I can't. It's the second highest bungy jump in the world, and the only one that is suspended. And, I've got the photos and the DVD so you can check it out. Then you can believe I just did that. First you jump, then you bounce. Then you bounce again. Then you have to reach up and pull a cord attached to your ankle which turns you right side up again so that you can be "reeled in" in a sitting position as opposed to upside down. I did it. I pulled the cord. I am that coordinated. So you see, I am looking into a career as a stunt double. In my next life.
More later. My friend Sarah is waiting for me. (Ran into her--by chance!!!--at the Nevis Bungy! Crazy.)
Love,
Sara
Adrenaline Junkie
Well, I made it! I only have 19 minutes to blog and publish so here goes. Today is my first day in Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world. The view during the last bit of the flight exceeds my ability to describe. The South Island is as amazing as everyone has said, and I've barely seen any of it. Queenstown reminds me of Switzerland a bit. Today is grey and a little foggy, but still really nice. I walked around town for awhile, ate a big fat lunch, and bought some goodies for my 3-day trek into the wilderness. (Now I know Mom is gonna be losing sleep for the next three days until I get back and online--but don't worry!!! I'm eating my Wheaties.... lol.)
I picked up my hut passes at the Deptartment of Conservation. The huts have heating and cooking facilities, but no pots/pans and the water is untreated. Well, I have my little camping pot but I need to go buy some iodine tablets unless I want to carry HEAPS of water in with me, which I may do, anyway. I also bought a children's book on native NZ birds, since I just finished teaching that unit.
I went window shopping--well, almost. Everything I see I want to buy for Miss Emily, my darling little spunky little niece. BUT, I have to c arry everything I buy on my back for the next two weeks so I'm trying to hold out. I did break down and bought a Aotearoa (that's Maori for NZ) New Zealand Harley Davidson shirt with the HD logo on top of a Maori design. Sweet as. Oh yea, and that's for me. I don't think my sister and brother-in-law are quite ready for Em to become a biker chick (I have a feeling she'll be a handful without my influence...)
I also went to the "i" center to look into other activities for my time here in QT. I am thinking I will do the Awesome Foursome. It is a package of 4 adventure activities in one day: bungee jumping, jet boating, river rafting, and a helicopter ride--an ALL DAY adrenaline rush. The idea is actually quite scary to me, but I figure, hell, I'm in the adventure capital of the world...probably for the once and only time in my life, ya know? So WHATEVER... carpe diem!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll let you know if I wimp out at the last minute. I wouldn't be going until Wednesday or Thursday, so you'll hear from me before then.
I am staying at the Pinewood Lodge. It's nice, but dumpy. I don't know how it can be those 2 things at once, but it is. I can't do shared dorm rooms. I'm too old for all that, so I have booked singles for all of my stays, although the kitchen and bathroom facilties are shared. My room is like a closet with 2 beds in it and, although I know it's not true, I felt like no one had either redecorated or step foot in it since the 70s.
I'm having fun on my little solo adventure. I bought The Economist and an O magazine at the airport today, just in case I start to get too wrapped up in my own little world of Sara. Some reading material to keep me somewhat socially connected to the outside world.
On a similar note, I am starting to worry that I am becoming more and more fiercely independent since I've been doing things largely on my own (not without the help of others, mind you)... but I'm going to be so set in MY ways of doing things... it's gonna take quite the man to tame this wild mustang. Hahahaha..... He'll have to outrun me first, I guess.
Barbies! (and Pebbles Flintstone)
Students in mufti give a shout out to America
Mufti Circus
Well, that's weird. I know I updated this thing last week, but it's not shown up. Anyway, who knows what I was rambling on about. Frustrating.
Let's see... last week in teaching: Still teaching the unit on native birds. Last week our homeroom had tech and cooking in the morning when they usually have English and Maths, so we had Block 1 free for planning and marking work. That was nice since there was a lot of marking to be caught up on before the end of the term. I really like the marking system, though. Students complete all classwork in notebooks that they keep in our room in a basket. That way, no student shows up without his/her papers. All activities are glued into the notebook. Plus, notebooks are marked at the end of each three-week cycle-which is pretty much what I did all last week, which gives teachers time to really go through the student's work and give more effective feedback (as opposed to trying to collect and grade every day or couple of days--overwhelming). Additionally, the organizational system allows you to really evaluate how a student is doing as opposed to how well they are able to keep up with all their papers. Homework is only given in maths and English and is marked with the homeroom teacher, so we really don't ever have any science homework to grade except for one research assignment given per cycle.
Well, last week in science class was another typical challenging week and set of behavior problems, but no major dramatic episodes or anything. Just the usual lunch detentions, (sometimes empty, I must admit) threats, names on the board, etc.... However, now that it is mid-cycle I'm getting to know these students better and I really enjoy them--and all their quirks... "A" who really thinks he's a gangsta--constantly asking him to remove gang-related clothing items, "S" who could not figure out how to draw lines for his bingo card to save his life, "Ann" who might as well have Terrett's Syndrome given the nature of her largely uncontrollable and randomly inappropriate comment making in class, "L" who put his head down for nearly fifteen minutes b/c someone told him he had marker on his face, and the generally chaotic atmosphere that pervades most Block 4 classes in the afternoon. I sometimes have to step back and chuckle, wondering whether I'm running a classroom or a circus training camp. Really. The thing is, although at times it's chaotic, I'm getting more learning out of these students as they get to know me and trust that I really do have their best interests at heart. Unfortunately, the next cycle may be an entirely new set of three classes.
Friday the kids had Mufti Day and a disco. Mufti is when they don't have to wear a uniform. The disco lasted about an hour and a half during Blocks 3 and 4. A complete nightmare for the teachers--600 students in the gym dancing (well, some), another 50 or so outside running around--but a well-deserved reward for the kids' hard work during Term 1.
I had a good weekend, too. Friday just went to boxing and learned a couple of new things from my marvelous trainer. He's such the ideal boxing coach. He has a full-time day job at a painting business, but he and his wife run the boxing gym in the evenings. You can tell he's just in love with the sport, and that makes him a great coach. He knows his stuff. He tries to develop each individual boxer's strengths instead of making everyone fight the same.
Saturday I went to the Barbie party as...well... Flinstone Barbie, I guess. I like to call it "Cheap Costume" Barbie. We had a lot of fun. I danced my butt off and then we all went out to Celsius, a local club, and danced some more until about 3:30 in the morning. Sunday was a sleep-in day and grocery shopping day.
This week I've just got two days left and then a two week break. Looking forward to it. Today I confirmed all my reservations for my week in the South Island. After that, it's off to Sydney for a week. I will be staying with a friend of a friend. Will be nice to save $$$ on lodging since the South Island is a bit on the pricey side.
Miss you all.
Love,
Me
Stacey (well, her back), in for an uppercut to the chin
That's the other woman...blurry, I know.
Boxing and Barbies
Well, let's see. Where did I leave off in my last post? Hold on, I think I should go read it before I repeat myself. Oh yeah, okay. Raglan and generic ramblings on curriculum and instruction. Well, anyway, this week has been relatively uneventful. I caught one serious cold and have been feeling under the weather since Thursday, but starting to recover. Just a little tired and achey. I went to buy cold medicine on Friday--thought I must be getting some really powerful stuff cuz the pharmacist asked me for my identification and the meds cost me $30 including the lozenges (about $20 US). Turns out what I got was an ibuprofen/pseudophedring combo. Wow. So, like Advil Sinus or something. That's okay. Today I paid $20 for contact solution. It's just what things cost here. When in Rome, pay like you're in Rome...
This week in teaching... We have a new cycle of students which means 3 new sets of 30-35 students each--all year 8's. They are a tough bunch. It's a bit difficult 'cuz the cycles change every 3 weeks which means just when you've got one class working the way you want them to, you get entirely new classes. That's a bit rough on me since my classroom management is largely based on creating a rapport with each student. Hence, the tough as nails strategy all over again... I made one class line up and come in 4 times last week. And, still, four or five of them looked like didn't care if I made them do it all period, even though I was making them come back to finish the lesson during their lunch period. Wow. Well, I finally got them settled and we conducted the lesson in complete silence. The purpose of all this is to set the standard so that we can do more interactive things later without too many discipline issues, but-again, by the time later comes we get a new set of students. So, mostly this week's lessons on native birds of New Zealand have been based on independent work. Not highly satisfying for me or the students... Hopefully this week and next will be a bit smoother and we can do some cool things. I hesitate to report all of this because the last thing I want is for people to think, "Oh, it's THOSE kids...." It's not about that at all. Partly, yes--it's a different set of management strategies that reflect to a greater degree the type of discipline the kids respect in their homes, which is not necessarily well-matched to a White upper and middle class type of discipline system. And, also, there's the cultural difference that often with working class non-mainstream families, often parents/guardians expect you as the teacher to handle discipline in school, while they handle discipline at home. This means that a phone call or not home does not always effect the kind of behavior management that one might desire. The kids and the families expect you as the teacher to be the disciplinarian, to be able to manage the class. So, it's not bad or wrong, just different... and makes me wonder then if the school organization is as ideal as I originally thought. Although I think the principal is AMAZING, I do think that the 3-week cycle system leads to less risk-taking and creativity in instruction throughout the year. I believe that if I had the same classes for the entire four-month period that I am teaching here, things would be much different. People ask me was it easier or more difficult teaching in the Bronx, and my initial response is "easier," but I really do think that's because, although I had 150 to 180 students total, I had them for the entire year--enough time to work with and get good work out of almost each one of them. I would put up quite a fight if the administration tried to remove any student from my homeroom. Just leave them there. They need some element of consistency.
Well, on the social side of things, everything is fabulous. My flatmates are trying to get pregnant. I keep telling them they should just adopt me instead. They may actually be tempted :). On Friday we went out to dinner with some of Bridge's friends, then went to hear some live music. Was pretty fun. Then, Saturday Bridge and I went out for sushi and did a bit of shopping. I came back home and just chilled out, took a nap, until some people from my boxing gym came to pick me up and take me to ABA stadium that night. There were some fights going on. I was actually invited to fight, but my coach wants me to wait a couple of months. The girl I would have been fighting has had more than 100 bouts. Not a good match, he thought, even though it would have just been an exhibition fight. Too many promoters and she might get tempted to show off. Anyway, she ended up fighting (see blurry pic above) another girl anyway and actually lost by one point. It was a great fight,though. There were 6 total and the women's fight was probably the best, the most action packed. The other woman was in amazing shape--a trained kickboxer although this was a straight up boxing bout. Stacey, the girl I train with, had been sick all week and wasn't up to par although she still fought really well. The rest of the fights were mediocre except for one. Some of these guys, they're supposed to be pros, and they just get up there and jab jab jab. Boring. Same thing happens in the States. Anyway, no one except for Stacey from my gym ended up fighting because their opponents backed out at the last minute. Was kind of depressing for them. They'd been training so hard. But, it was something different to do and I had a really good time. 'Course I want to fight now! (Sorry, Mom. But don't worry--won't be any time soon. Anyway, it satifies my devious side and keeps me out of trouble!!)
Today, Bridge, Sarah, and I went to this costume place cuz we're going to a "Barbie Party" next week and we all have to dress up as some sort of makeshift Barbie. Anyway, I decided to do something easy and I'm going as "Flintstone Barbie," specifically Pebbles Barbie, although could also be "Cavegirl Barbie" or something. Anyway, I rented these animal print tall boots, a club, and a Stone Age looking necklace made from mammoth's teeth (okay, not really). Now I've got to go buy a doggie bone for my hair. Should be fun. The rest of today has been chill. Went grocery shopping and then got some work done for my student teaching portfolio. Had rented a movie but started to play it and realized I'd rented it like three or four months ago. Okay, no I've not been hit in the head too many times--that kind of short-term (lack of) memory runs in the family.
Love,
Me
