Cheers new Zealand

Hello,

I hope everyone is having a good time. i'm actually really happy that i ended my new zealand travels with an extended stay at christchurch. the hostel got to be very homey because there were a few people that misjudged their travels and had to stay in christchurch for more days than they would have liked. this meant that i usually ran into them lounging somewhere in the city whenever there was sun.

It was mostly rainy and crappy but i still had a good time. my last two days were definitely the best of the christchurch days. while it was raining i saw the documentary "the corporation" and i recommend it, but i just don't know what to think or do about it. anyway, Emilie and Elizabeth that i met way back in nelson and queenstown were also in christchurch so i hung out with them. we had a great night of pizza, monopoly, and watching sixty minutes and the movie the others...yeah we're nerds but i'm not ashamed of that. they really are cool and its like being with comfortable friends.

The last day was perfect--mostly sunny but still crisp air. I saw the art gallery which had some really disturbing displays, but those are always the best because you know it is really causing emotion in people. Next it was a long nap in the huge botanical garden (i'd call it more a park) the air was still a bit cold but the ground was nice and warm. i was still deciding about getting a haircut and ended up getting one. its nice but as she was cutting it i decided no more haircuts for the rest of the trip.

That night i did one of the coolest unique things. the day before i went to the cathedral to check it out and saw a sign asking for people that were interested in joining the bellringers society. i talked to a bunch of people in the cathedral and got the ok to join them tuesday night. so i went. it was mainly old people, but they were so so friendly. we climbed halfway up the tower into this room that had a circle of hanging ropes. they gave me lessons on how the bells work and what they do and then i got to hang out with them as they practiced their bellringing. two very strange hours. I ended the final night of christchurch with emilie and elizabeth at a pub that had cheesy music tuesday. (i thought the music wasn't that cheesy)

Now its my final full day in new zealand and i'm at the hostel i stayed at for my first night. its mostly full of people that are just starting their new zealand travels (i guess some people like to come to new zealand when the weather is perfect...i still think nz winter is just fine). i've had an amazing time and could easily stay another year if i could, but for now, i'm ready to move on. on the plane ride from christchurch to auckland i could see most of the top of the south island. Even the exact spot where Katja and i kayaked in the abel tasman...i can't believe it took us a day to do that! The water there looks exactly how i picture the water in fiji to be, so it got me happy and excited.

so, goodbye new zealand.

have a good day
your friend

chad