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| Lake Pukaki, November. The original whanau. |
So here we are. Five months, many miles, dozens of hostels and dive bars and three thousand-odd photos later, and I am sitting at home, in Arthur, musing about things past. I definitely didn't update this blog nearly as often as i had intended, but you can take that as the evidence that I, had better things to do all of the time. It's a good thing.
Our journeys over the past month and a half since I last posted took us all over the North Island, from Hobbiton to Mt. Doom, from Wellington to the northernmost tip, Cape Reinga. The former fellowship is now scattered around the globe. Holeigh and Carly in Queenstown, Steph, Brian and myself at home, Stefan in Auckland, Matt in Whanganui, and Asta, Maja, Ben and Cole (not part of the original fellowship, but a welcome interloper. You're my Faramir buddy) somewhere between Wellington and Whanganui. Its a bittersweet moment being back in the Great White North. I would be perfectly fine with a little less "Great White" today, but thats neither here nor there. In a way, after the half a year we spent there, NZ started to really feel like home too. And our whanau definitely started to feel like a family.
In conclusion. Here are some lists of things that I think Canada and NZ could learn from each other.
1. No tipping- You don't have to tip in NZ. It's fantastic. Also, prices have taxes included.
2. Beer case design- This one goes to us. Kiwi beer cases are incredibly week, open from the end, and have no handles!
3. Pies- For about 1.50-3.00 NZ you can buy a pre-cooked meat pie at any store, in a variety of flavours. Great meal if your pressed for cash and delicious!
4. Screens on Windows- When we first arrived in NZ i just assumed there were no bugs, since there were no screens on windows, and no one ever closed the doors. Turns out it was just cause it was early spring. There are in fact TONNES of insects that will come in through your windows there, but it's too hot at night to leave your windows closed. Come on Kiwis, simple concept.
5. DOC- The NZ Department of Conservation is awesome. No two ways about it. They maintain an absolutely massive network of hiking trails, national parks, wildlife conservation efforts, biking, fishing, you name it. Half the reason that outdoor activities are so huge in NZ is because its so accessible. With little-to-no experience you can undertake a rather epic 3-5 day hike in the backcountry, thanks to the very helpful track grading system and backcountry hut network. This one goes to the Kiwis.
6. On Globalization- Kiwis export almost all the food they produce. Most of the stuff on grocery store shelves is from the US. This means short-term profits, but in the long run, makes most of the fresh fruit, vegetables and meat in the country expensive and crappy quality.
7. We're All In This Together- Kiwis are possibly the friendliest, most easygoing, hospitable folks anywhere. Canadians like to think we're so kind and polite but when was the last time you offered a stranger a ride across the country for free?
8. Recycling- ALMOST NO ONE RECYCLES IN NZ. You can't return beer bottles. You throw them away. Ditto cans. Most places have one garbage can: compost, recyclables, trash. This really tarnishes their supposed "green" reputation (as do a LOT of other things, but thats a story for another time...)
9. No Shirt, No Shoes? No worries mate!- Because why in the hell aren't we allowed to go into a store barefoot? Are we spreading that many germs? Are people eating off the floor? Are shoes that much cleaner? Seriously, give me a decent reason. Kiwis take this one.
Well, i could go on, but I shouldn't like to bore you. And at any rate, im fiendin' for some ps3 after 5 months, so thanks for reading! I would have posted more, but as i touched on above, i just really didn't feel like it! Everyone who has followed this irregular blog, i appreciate it. Its been sweet as, bros. Cheers
