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I am officially the worst blogger ever. This past week has been a bit mad. Started school last Monday, but I have been course shopping ever since. I finally got all of them approved so I can begin to catch up on my readings (in between nights out on the town and hard core tramping) I am taking a class called geographies of New Zealand and Australia, another that is Maori culture and society (Maori is the indigenous population of NZ), media in New Zealand and another media course called television narrative- basically watching popular television series and analysing them. Although it is a nice 20 minute uphill walk to class, I have been taking full advantage of the bus that runs up the hill. Much less physical labour! Classes pretty much work the same here. You have 10 minutes grace to get to your next class, although in the afternoon classes start at ten past the hour..which sucks because apparently my tutorial still starts on the hour so I have to run from one class to the next. But since everyone in this country is very chill, there's not too much worry. When I signed up for my television narrative class, my prof rambled "well the tutorials are all full..but we'll slip you in. Oh you're Canadian?? Your TA is Canadian! You guys can talk! (about beavers?) Do you want me to introduce you to all exchange students in the class? You could bond." I think I've met enough exchange students..still she is very sweet. I think it is the only time I've ever really talked to a prof. I feel like we're besties now. Sweet as. Speaking of, I accidently said that phrase the other day to someone without even realizing it. Ahhh I'm turning into a kiwi! It still doesn't make sense to me..finish your sentence! And just as general knowledge..kiwi birds are very rare here. I thought they ran around like squirrels, with cars ducking and diving to miss hitting them. Nope, most New Zealanders have never seen one. I am going on a hunt. Kiwi birds are nocturnal so guess I will be night hiking. Despite not having any native mammals, there are tons of species of birds here. Its a bird watchers paradise!
Moving on to other adventures..we stalked Bedouin Soundclash!! Okay well we followed them after their concert for like 20 mins, then went home to crash. Really cool that a Queen's/Kingston band ended up playing in Wellington. I feel we bonded over our Canadianess. However Jay (the lead singer) is a typical private school bred, haughty Queen's boy. He didn't even give us the shout out we asked for. Where's the Queen's spirit! The others were awesome. I spilt a drink and the drummer came up to me and said "Hey spilly" to which I replied something along the lines of "my fingers are slippery" (Did not know he was the drummer at the time) I think he was disappointed I was not a kiwi..what band member wants to talk to Canadian girls when youre not in Canada? The concert itelf was awesome, my Cynthia and Martha rocked out to the sweet sounds of Canadian talent. Though the place wasn't full I was super surprised by their fan base. There was a whole group at the front who knew every lyric. I hate to say I do not know a single New zealand band or artist. Although in my media class we watched a music video of some kiwi rapper shearing sheep. Classic.
This past weekend was phenomenal. Starting thursday night, Craig, one of the guys from the club, took me for a hike up Mount KauKau, just outside the city. It was a gorgeous spot with not only a view of Welly but also of the entire surrounding area. I could also see the South Island- didnt realize how close it was! It is a three hour ferry ride to the South, but if it wasn't for the city blocking the easy way to get there, it would only take an hour. Unfortunately the boats have to go all the way around the harbour and on the outskirts of Wellington to get there. I learned a lot of other random NZ facts from Craig -I am now almost fluent in NZ geography and history. And I didn't even have to go to class! It pays to know locals. One of the great things about going to school here is you meet people who will show you things you would never see on a tour. Take that all you people who paid 3 grand to go around the country for 2 weeks! I also did my first outdoor climb on the mount, it was so exhilirating. Can't wait to give it another shot sometime, there are so many amazing places to explore. On Friday night there was a tramping club party (I hope you have all laughed tramping out of your system now) and I met most of the regulars. We went camping in a place called Cape Palliser Saturday night- 2 hours of winding roads later we had to hike our way into a beautiful spot right by the ocean. I ran into some seals! They are so majestic and just lie on the rocks getting their daily tan. Apparently there are many seal colonies in this country. I am more interested in penguin colonies but they seem to be much more rare. On Sunday morning I (willingly!) woke up at quarter to six, and watched the sun rise over the ocean. Who knew it takes so long! But really, it was stunning and I have to keep reminding myself that I am in New Zealand and so far from home. Makes everything that much more special.
Tonight we are leaving with the tramping club for 'freshers' weekend..about 30 of us backpacking our way to a campsite for some fun and fresh air. The club pretty much has trips every weekend, some are just day but it is a great opportunity to check out some of the countryside. Once spring break comes in April, a few of us international students are planning on heading down to the South island. It is amazing that despite the square mileage of this country, there is so much to see and do in such limited space. Visitors are always welcome!!:)
In case anyone is interested here is my mailing address:
Apt 136
Stafford House
PO Box 8050
Wellington, NZ
6143
or if it is something more exciting like a package...:D just swap the PO box for 40 The Terrace.
Weird that I am just starting classes while most of you have only a couple of weeks left..keep on trucking and to those who are graduating and heading into the real world, congratulations on growing up!!!
I will try and update this more often, but keep checking back for photos. Lots of love from wayyy across the pond
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