Life has been a whirlwind these past few days- 2nd full day in NZ and it already feels like home. So much is different yet I have established a potential routine and community. Arrived in Christchurch 3-days ago and wandered around a "wee bit" until our bus left for Greymouth.
As soon as we got to the west coast of the south island I stopped feeling like a tourist. First stop was the emergency room to get Johnny X-rays after his accident. (No broken bones.) There Marisa and I wand
ered the halls at 9pm weighing ourselves in Kilos and poking our heads in rooms. From there we went to Porky's, where we had the most amazing fish and chips ive ever had and discovered chicken salt-- amazing. Since then I have been smitten by the NZ foods. Everything from bacon cheese pastries to meat pies. After tramping around the beach for a bit, we headed Johnny and Bruce's bachelor pad in Franz Josef, which quickly became home.
Since then we have worked 2 very full days and are completely exhausted waiting to hear back
about the status of our potential new job. We have gotten to know the Franz Josef glacier and the surrounding rainforest quite well these past 2-days. We've learned how to use an axe to chop stairs in the glacier, attach ropes to the ice using ice screws so people can scale the side of the glacier. Have also become accustomed to being surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery i have ever seen. Its a scenery that cannot be explained in words. Just climbing that high into the glacier you have no idea what the ice will create around the next turn... and the fact that the ice changes everyday makes the interaction so much more dynamic.
Have also discovered Kea Parrots, which are quite possibly the most annoying birds that ever lived. They are apparently cleaver and most definitely not shy around humans. They will vandalize your
property- eating bike seats and windshield wipers, and squacking at the top of their lungs the whole way.
Although I dont feel completely comfortable with the community here in Franz Josef, they bring much comfort. We've been seeing the same familiar faces over and over again, and people are quick to invite you to a beer after work, or chat about your days exertion. Everyone is a transplant which makes connections fast and easy. People are also so laid back and calm it makes your worries feel so far away. Where this will lead me, i dont know at this time but i know i am happy to be here and excited for where this will take us. The 6,000 NZDs in 3 months is also a huge incentive. Loo
king forward to the next couple of days and hoping a job and van will come our way. more to come.
Stay tuned...
