Clare's Visit= A Success

Hello hello!
This past week has been pure craziness thank to my beautiful cousin Clare who came to visit me on her spring break! She was only here for a week which means this past week was jammed packed with plenty of adventures. Now, seeing as I am technically going to school here, I had to stay back and study on Tuesday and Wedneday while she went and had a blast swimming with dolphins and going on the Lord of the Rings tour. She had a blast which made me feel better because I felt bad I couldn't go with her! All this studying while I'm "studying abroad" is just silly isn't it?
Thursday I decided to skip some lectures so we could go horse back riding, something she's wanted to do the entire time. We went to a place about an hour outside of Christchurch and had a blast! It was great because there was only four of us and it was really relaxed. We got to trot or canter every time we got a field which was a lot of fun!Our guide Chris said that as long as we got to the point across the field, we could get there any way we wanted haha It was about a three hour ride with a stop for hot chocolate/coffee and biscuits in the middle. I could already tell I was going to be extremely sore after this and I definitely was! We were both struggling the next couple of days. It's been awhile since I've rode a horse! My horse's name was Nugget and is apparently the super dominant horse in the group, so he struggled to listen to me a few times. Clare rode Samson who consistently bucked his head back and didn't always want to listen to her either. It was pretty comical sometimes. Either way, we had a great time and the weather was beautiful for it! Clare got lucky. The whole week she was here was pretty much beautiful! You never know with New Zealand :)
Friday morning was craziness. We had a 7 am flight and got picked up at 5:30 am to go to Nelson, which is a town on the north part of the south island. Because it was so early we decided to just not go to sleep....ahh interesting decision. It was a little bit of a struggle on Friday to have any energy whatsoever. But, we did end up going kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park, one of the most popular national parks in New Zealand.It is a gorgeous area and it was nice because it was just Clare and I on the kayaking trip, along with our guide. It was like our own private tour! It was once again a beautiful day and we got to kayak which I've never done before! Our bodies were definitely taking a beating though. Our legs were already sore from horse back riding and now our arms were sure to be sore...going on no sleep. Yep, our bodies hated us. We still had a great time and it was fun to do. We went back to the hostel, had a quick 2 hour nap and then went out to get some dinner. We were both struggling to stay awake at dinner and were ready for sleep. We went to bed at about 9:30 haha But, we needed it desperately if we were going to SKYDIVE the next morning :)
We got picked up at 8 am by the skydiving company. I was still very very unsure if I was going to go through with this. I am not adventurous whatsoever, ya'll probably know that. I hate rollercoasters for heaven's sake. But, everyone did a very good job at convincing me that it does not feel like you're stomach is dropping, which was my biggest concern. No, it wasn't the fact that I could die (it is actually an extremely safe sport), Everyone was so keen on me doing it and I realized I couldn't turn back now. I also wanted to prove to myself that I could. Thank goodness Clare was there to push me. I'm so happy I ended up doing it. To be honest, when I was actually in the plane I wasn't that nervous! I was doing it so why be freaking out? Even when I was hanging outside the plane ready to jump I was really calm! I surprised myself haha Skydiving is the strangest thing though. You don't even feel like you're falling even though you are falling so extremely fast! It is more like a huge hair dryer is underneath you keeping you up there floating. We had about 50 seconds of free fall and we jumped from 13,000 ft! The 50 seconds felt like 10 seconds though and before I knew it the parachute was out and it was over! The only thing that I didn't like about it was that my ears were killing me! They were completely popped and aching really badly. Other than that I would totally do it again. It really was thrilling!
After skydiving, we headed to a cafe to eat and then were off to the airport to fly back! It was a really quick trip but we did two really awesome things! We got back to Christchurch and then went out for Clare's last night! The week she was here went by so quickly it was crazy. I guess we were doing so much and having such a good time that it flew by! She seemed to love New Zealand and to be honest, I don't know how you could hate it. It's such a blast. I'm happy I get to stay here for 3 more months :) Hope all is well back at home!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Kiaora!
I just got back from our trip from Kaikoura and it was a blast! Alyssa, Ali, Angie and I headed out from Christchurch at 1 o'clock on Friday to head towards Kaikoura, a town 3 hours north. We were super excited for out girls weekend with our sweet music mixes that we made haha This was the first time that we had rented a car and we all hoped we could survive without getting in an accident or dying. I think we were successful.
We stopped at places along the way, but eventually got to Kaikoura at like 4:30 or so and we were greeted by the beautiful ocean. We weren't sure what to expect from Kaikoura but it was a really quaint town, but very quiet. We checked into our hostel which was actually really nice and headed "downtown" to find something to eat because we were starving. We went to this place called the "Adelphi" and it was DEAD. haha We were like the only people in there for awhile. It was pretty good. At this point it was like 6 o'clock and we didn't really have much to do. Kaikoura has a lot of activities but not a lot of stuff to do at night. We ended up going to another cafe for coffee and desserts and staying there till they closed at like 10. We went back to the hostel and chilled there for the rest of the night. Fun stuff.
We got up at 8:30 the next morning and decided to do the "Peninsula Walk" around the Peninsula in Kaikoura. It's a fairly easy trek and you just hike along the ocean for about 2 hours. were some really pretty views and you got to see a seal colony which was pretty cool. We got really close to one but they aren't very nice! We're glad we decided not to swim with them because apparently you can do that here. After our walk we went to a local takeaway shop and got chicken wraps which were amazing! It was really cool to support a local...her children were helping serve and work. It was a really cute little place. We then went back to our hostel, got changed into swimsuits and headed off to the Encounter Dolphin place! We were really excited because the conditions were great and apparently a huge pod of dolphins had been spotted 25 minutes away. You never know how many dolphins will be in the area and what kind of mood they will be in. Sometimes they like to play and swim around you and jump/do flips, but you never know. are completely wild which was a little unnerving! We were literally dropped off in the middle of open water and were expected to swim towards the huge pod of dolphins making high-pitched bagpipe sounds to attract them. It was kind of funny to watch. We were given a wetsuit and snorkel gear and from there it was up to us. There were so many times where I had dolphins circling around and under me, 20 at a time. It was insane. I had stare downs with quite a few of them. They really are quite playful with humans and if you are active, like diving down or swimming in circles, they'll stick right by you for awhile. It was the craziest experience ever. I will never ever get to do anything like that again. Swim with 250 dolphins? Nope, not gonna happen. It really was amazing. We got back at like 4 o'clock and we were exhausted from swimming and making noises for an hour in the water haha We took a nap and then headed out to find some dinner.
We decided to eat at the Green Dolphin because we thought it was appropriate haha We never go out to eat so we thought that we should get dressed up and spend some money! We ate dinner and then went to a local pub just to check out to see if there was any live music. We met some guys in the New Zealand Air Force? Who knew they had one? Not me. It was really cool to chill at a small bar and talk to locals. It was a relaxed night but a lot of fun.
So I tried to be a little less detailed in this blog...I realize I write novels haha But, you all still get the time frames for everything. Don't worry haha
Miss you all!

What did I just eat?

Hello there!
I know I haven't updated in forever and I'm sorry! Things are just so busy around here but I promise I will get better! This weekend has been such a blast. Last weekend I went tramping, or intense hiking, with the Tramping club to Mt. Somers and it was really really cool. saw some awesome views and we camped out! It was absolutely freezing at night but I was pretty proud of myself for hiking uphill for 2 hours straight haha We did the easy track but oh my goodness, either I'm out of shape (which is quite possible) or New Zealand has no "easy" routes to take. I'd say the latter obviously.
THIS weekend was so much fun. We went to the Wild Foods Festival in Hokitika, which is on the west side of the island...so the opposite side of where I'm going to school. My flat mates and I had heard a lot about it and how fun it was so decided to check it out! We hitched a ride with some kiwi's that we've become friends with while we've been here who had two huge vans and we headed out at about noon on Friday. We tried to pack light but with nine of us in a van and all of our gear it was definitely a tight squeeze. The van was also quite old...and with New Zealand mountains it got a little scary at some points. We survived so I'd say it turned out well. It was storming in Christchurch when we left so we were nervous about the weather for the weekend, but in true NZ fashion, the weather was sunny and great on the other side of the island. We set up our tent at a campsite we had previously paid for which was right next to the beach! It was beautiful! The ocean was on one side of us with the mountains on the other...couldn't have been better! Someone stole my sleeping bag which was not a fun time...I took it out of the van, set up our tent and then when I came back it was gone! So, we had to improvise and share blankets and sleeping bags which turned out fine but I was definitely a little angry at the beginning of this trip. But hey, stuff happens. After we got there we just hung out at the camp site and built a bonfire on the beach. We walked around and talked with people at other fires and eventually went to check out a place where glow worms are. It was really neat. We went into this area that is protected and you can just look at this wall full of brush that looks like the night sky because of all the little lights shining from it. It was really beautiful.
The next morning we got up and went to the actual festival at around noon. I didn't know what exactly to expect but it was a blast! Basically, there were tons of tents set up with the craziest food ever...if it can even be called food. We were there for a reason so we wanted to try some of the crazier stuff...including sheep testicles. They are actually called "Mountain Oysters" here, but it was GROSS. My flat mates and I shared one...each of us having one bite was ENOUGH. Eww. I can't even describe the taste but it was just pure nastiness. But hey, we did it and we can say that we did it haha The next challenge was almost not completed. So, we walk up to this place next to the tent where they are chopping a ton of wood and we wondered what they were doing. Turns out they are looking inside the wood for these huge worm-like bugs called "Hu hu Grubs". Basically when they find one, people bid on it to see who gets to eat it. It'd be one thing if it was dead...but no, it was squirming in my hand! I almost didn't do it but I was pushed into at least eating half of it! Ahhhh I still can't believe I did it! It was apparently supposed to taste like peanut butter...uhhh not so much :)
There was live music playing there as well which I wasn't expecting so that was great. They played swing music, 80's classics, pretty much anything. It was a lot of fun dancing and having fun with people. Oh, I forgot to mention that EVERYONE wears costumes and goes all out for this festival. We went as 80's girls/ aerobic instructors. Comfortable yet a lot of fun! We were quite proud of our ensemble! night we just chilled on the beach again, singing songs by the campfires and talking with people. Honestly, that is one of my favorite parts about New Zealand. It is so easy to meet people and strike up a conversation with them. I've met so many great people who are so open and friendly. It's such a laid back kind of mentality and I'm loving it!
Our trip back today was a little chaotic...we had to sit and wait around for our driver to come back from visiting his family and so we stayed 6 hours later than everyone else trying to find things to do haha Our morale was pretty low at this point. We were tired, hungry and disgusting haha He eventually got there and we headed back more packed than ever. The roads here are super windy and all of us were feeling car sick as we were crammed in this van. It was an experience for sure. The scenery is beautiful though so one can only complain so much. This country is honestly amazing and I'm so happy I've been able to experience the people as well as the physical beauty. I'm having a great experience thus far :) Hope all is well back home! Miss you all!

Livin' like a kiwi!

Hey everybody!
Sorry for the lack of updates lately…I’ve been so busy! Which I guess is a good thing but I know you all have just been DYING to hear about what I’ve been doing ☺
This past weekend was a kiwi-style adventure. On Friday, my friend and I went to Sumner beach, a really pretty beach near our university and chilled there for a few hours and got something to eat. I have been so proud of myself here…I’ve been cooking all my own meals and barely going out to eat! I’m amazed haha All day I was pretty psyched because that night we were going to the Canterbury Crusaders game, the official rugby team of the region that Christchurch lies in. The Crusaders are actually one of the best teams in the world and has the number 1 player, Dan Carter playing for them. He is even called the “prince of rugby”. He is also extremely popular because of his attractiveness, which was visible by all the teenage girls surrounding us at the game haha I was really excited because rugby is like football back in the states…it is extremely popular. We were third row up in the “end zone” type area and it was a blast! The game is very fast paced and really intense! They wear no pads or helmets, yet they can tackle people to the ground like there’s no tomorrow. It is a brutal game. It was very fun to watch though. They won like 35-6 so they dominated! Next time we go I’m going all out with black and red face paint. It has been decided by my flatmates haha
On Saturday we woke up and headed to “Amp It Up 2” and concert series that the school was putting on for Orientation week. Basically, it was in an outdoor amphitheater on campus and 4 different bands played from 12-7 pm. It was BEAUTIFUL out…it was a perfect day for a concert. The bands that were playing were kind of reggae/hip-hop which was really fun to listen to. A band called The Black Seeds performed who are apparently very big here in New Zealand, so everyone was really pumped about that. Kiwis are crazy and they like to have fun, so it was a great way to see the kiwi student life. It’s weird that I’m actually enrolled here and I am a student. I feel like I’m watching them do things at their school but it’s my school too! It’s a weird feeling.
Saturday night we went over to a flat and hung out with a bunch of kiwi’s haha It was a really great time. I’m really trying to just soak in everything they say and how they live here. I love to ask them about how they view America and Americans, just to see what they say ☺ Many say they like Americans, but American politics is a different story. I welcome their honesty. I know I’ve said this before but they really are so friendly here. They have a really laid back mentality and you do not feel judged when you are talking to them which is really nice when you’re the new kid in town.
Sunday we hung out all day waiting around to go to yet another sports event…a cricket game! The game was the Blackcaps (NZ) vs. Australia, who apparently dominates at this sport. It was a 20/20 version of the game, which is the one to go to because a normal game can take up to 5 days to complete! I wasn’t sure what to expect and to be honest I was thinking I would be bored because I had heard it was a little slower paced but it was a blast! First off, Cricket is so random with its rules. It took me pretty much the whole game to figure it out, and to be honest I’m still not 100% sure on the rules. It is not common sense by any means and it is barely anything like baseball except for that they hit a ball. But, it was kind of fun trying to figure it out and we had some nice kiwi’s behind us trying to teach us haha The game went into overtime which was really exciting and I guess doesn’t happen that often and New Zealand ended up winning! People were freaking out. They go crazy wild after every hit. They love the game. Australia was expected to win so it was a great atmosphere when the blackcaps took it home.
I had a great weekend and even though I didn’t leave Christchurch, I did something that is definitely an integral part of New Zealand culture, and that is attending their sport games. I’m going tramping this weekend, which is like intense hiking so I’ll have to write about that when I get back! Oh, my camera broke while I’ve been here…sand must have gotten in it so sorry for the lack of photos but I’m buying a new one so no worries. I know you were all freaking out. I understand, my pictures are very important ☺ I’ll write again soon!