Castle Hill:
The rock outcropping and little cave at Sumner beach, just south of Christchurch:
Monday, February 25, 2008
Pictures (finally)
Below are some pictures that my friend Annabel let me take off her camera, since I'm still without one.
Castle Hill:
The rock outcropping and little cave at Sumner beach, just south of Christchurch:
Castle Hill:
The rock outcropping and little cave at Sumner beach, just south of Christchurch:
Friday, February 22, 2008
The Source
I followed a river to its source the other day. In doing so, I found mine.
A little stream, whose name I do not know, runs through a field that lies below Castle Hill. (Castle Hill, for perspective, is one of the most incredible rock formations I've seen. Its a hill about an hour to the west of Christchurch that is covered with statuesque, towering limestone spires.) Anyways, I followed this stream through the field, across a mini marsh, under a boulder the size of a small house, and then up the hill. There it bubbled up from a hole about 1/2 meter wide surrounded by lush green grasses. It tumbled out of the dark and deep hole to tumble over a flat rock and down the way I came.
It was perfect.
A little stream, whose name I do not know, runs through a field that lies below Castle Hill. (Castle Hill, for perspective, is one of the most incredible rock formations I've seen. Its a hill about an hour to the west of Christchurch that is covered with statuesque, towering limestone spires.) Anyways, I followed this stream through the field, across a mini marsh, under a boulder the size of a small house, and then up the hill. There it bubbled up from a hole about 1/2 meter wide surrounded by lush green grasses. It tumbled out of the dark and deep hole to tumble over a flat rock and down the way I came.
It was perfect.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Moving In
Well I made it. I'm moved into my dorm after about 30 hours of travel and a 4 day Orientation with the IFSA-Butler program.
Orientation was great; we were at the Shakespear YMCA camp north of Auckland. The first day we went kayaking in the harbor, and went out around the point and found an awesome cave. I have pictures on my disposable camera that I'll put up at some point. The next few days we did mountain boarding, mtn. biking, hiking, archery, and went to some hot springs, and also had a lot of academic briefings. The last night we went to a marae, which is the traditional family home of the Maori and had a hangi, which is a meal cooked in the ground. The visit was great, except my camera and another girls cell phone were stolen, which is why I'm not posting any pictures. The family was really apologetic about it.
On a brighter note, I'm pretty settled in at the University. I have a single room and eventually will have 5 more flatmates, but none of them are here yet....so my flat has kinda become the party spot. I've had people over the past three nights, and every night it seems like there are more and more people I don't know! Its been great though...I think we're going to take it a little easier tonight, and then light it back up on Saturday.
Its definitely taking me a little while to get my feet back under me here. Its a little weird to be starting over completely and having to figure everything out from scratch...linens, room decorations, cell phone, bike, car, friends, going out scene, what beer is good, etc. New Zealand is an incredible country though, and I've actually really enjoyed starting all over here. Christchurch is a beautiful city, and I'm really looking forward to exploring it!
Orientation was great; we were at the Shakespear YMCA camp north of Auckland. The first day we went kayaking in the harbor, and went out around the point and found an awesome cave. I have pictures on my disposable camera that I'll put up at some point. The next few days we did mountain boarding, mtn. biking, hiking, archery, and went to some hot springs, and also had a lot of academic briefings. The last night we went to a marae, which is the traditional family home of the Maori and had a hangi, which is a meal cooked in the ground. The visit was great, except my camera and another girls cell phone were stolen, which is why I'm not posting any pictures. The family was really apologetic about it.
On a brighter note, I'm pretty settled in at the University. I have a single room and eventually will have 5 more flatmates, but none of them are here yet....so my flat has kinda become the party spot. I've had people over the past three nights, and every night it seems like there are more and more people I don't know! Its been great though...I think we're going to take it a little easier tonight, and then light it back up on Saturday.
Its definitely taking me a little while to get my feet back under me here. Its a little weird to be starting over completely and having to figure everything out from scratch...linens, room decorations, cell phone, bike, car, friends, going out scene, what beer is good, etc. New Zealand is an incredible country though, and I've actually really enjoyed starting all over here. Christchurch is a beautiful city, and I'm really looking forward to exploring it!
Friday, February 1, 2008
Leaving Charlottesville
Left Charlottesville today for my mom's house in Philadelphia. I didn't really get to say goodbye to most of my closest friends, but I think in a way that's almost better: its not really "goodbye," just "farewell for now" I suppose.
I think, however, that the next six days are going to be some of the hardest during the next 5 months. Being so close to everyone, yet completely unable to be with them. That said, its so, so good to be home.
I think, however, that the next six days are going to be some of the hardest during the next 5 months. Being so close to everyone, yet completely unable to be with them. That said, its so, so good to be home.
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