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Last weekend was amazing and I am really looking forward to this coming weekend! Over the few weeks I have been here, a group of 3 other girls from CSU and I have gotten to know some of the Kiwi students. Last weekend we went with the Kiwi students to Akoroa, which is a small French town on the eastern coast. It was absolutely beautiful. On the way there, which is about an hour drive, we stopped at the first sign of the coast. This was the first time I had seen the ocean since I have been here and I think that was the moment that I realized that I am acutally in New Zealand. We continued our journey through huge rolling hills (with sheep and cows galore) until we finally broke through the thick fog and reached the skyline. I had assumed it would be beautiful, but words cannot express how breathtaking it was. We were surrounded by green hills and mountains that were towering over a small, colorful town in the bay and the ocean in the distance. We spent the afternoon in Akaroa then took our adventure back to Lincoln just in time for fun at the local pub.
This weekend, the school organized a trip for 40 students to travel five hours south to Dunedin. Rumor has it that this is the biggest college town in New Zealand. We will be staying a hostile, which is exciting to me because I have never stayed in one before. We have plans for pub crawls, hiking, a chocolate factory tour, going to the beach (though it will be really cold), and a brewery tour. The organized small trips are always a great way to get to know some of the international students better.
Becuase there is no class on Wednesday's, a friend and I went on a run through Lincoln then headed out to the beach to soak in the ocean again. Of course I love the ocean, but I have never been one to miss it or want to spend much time near it... until I got here. There is something mindblowing about standing on the coast line and picturing where you are geographically. It doesn't hurt that it is a gorgeous view with green rolling hills and cliffs extending far down the beach. When we got back, the university was holding a wine and cheese tasting at our campus vineyard. To say the least, it was a fantastic way to break up the school week.
Lastly, Lincoln University allows us a two week spring break during the last two weeks of August. A large group and I decided that this would be a great opportunity to travel outside of New Zealand... and we could all use a little warm sunshine. So, we booked a trip to Samoa, tiny island near Fiji. We are going for ten days and staying in huts on the beach. No, these are not resort style, room-service huts. These three person huts are made from only natural resources found on the island (aka palm trees and sand). We will also be there for my birthday! To say I am excited is one hell of an understatement.
That's all for now. If you can't assume how much I am loving this experience through the enthusiasm in my writing, then I will clear any worries up: I am having the time of my life.
- comments
Nancy King Christie - Grammy John and I have been reading your blog and looking at your pictures. What a wonderful experience - new friends, studies, beautiful country and lots of pubs! Imagine you will love all of the travels ahead. Grammy says she is so happy for you and you make New Zealand sound like a wonderful place! She had no idea that she would get so much info and pictures from you. She is so glad you have so many friends from so many different places. We are all so glad that you decided to go on this adventure. We'll be thinking of you daily and looking forward to more pics and desciptions about your travels and life there. All our love, Grammy, Aunt Nancy and Uncle John. Grammy siad "hugs and kisses, too!".
Carole Blocher Christie, reading your blog makes my heart so very happy for you. What thrilling experiences you are having. Your pictures are amazing and brought tears to my eyes. It is wonderful that you are making so many new friends from so many places. Wow! I think of you every day and hold you in my heart always. Your brothers were with us in Michigan for a few days and we had a great time...lots of laughs! We definitely missed you! I can't wait for your next blog entry. I love you dearly, Grandma xoxo