On the Edge of the World

Here in Invercargill for my last week of volunteering.  Not going to lie, I am so out of this world ready to be finished with planting trees and such.  I think it's safe to say my carbon footprint from the states here is significantly smaller from when I first started in Punakaiki.  It's just Debbie, a woman who tells it like it is from the UK, and I as volunteers this week.  Last week we were staying in an itty bitty town, Berwick, right outside of a small town, Mosgiel, which is then right outside of Dunedin, city.  I saw more sheep than I did people that week.  We were staying at the Sinclair Wetlands, which is run by an older man, Mr. Johnny McIntyre.  A flirtatious little fellah!  Gorgeous scenery there.

Then, this week we are working in a town outside of Invercargill.  On Sunday, when we first arrived, we went to the very bottom of the South Island.  Literally.  I saw the sign to the South Pole.  The land is sliced off into massive cliffs and spiky rocks at the bottom.  This is where I took my last photo.  My Nikon decided to commit suicide right then and there.  I was simply too close to the edge.  I saw it leap from my grip in slow motion out of sight.  I almost went after it but sanity thankfully returned to my head and told me the safest bet was not to simply leap after it.  I started pacing.  Speechless, I ran to what seemed safe enough to slide/scramble down to where I might find the remnants of my camera.  Thank God it wasn't high tide or my camera and I would have been well on our way to Antarctica.  I had thrown my shoes off and went bare foot hopping from one boulder to another in search.  I found the body separate from the lens.  The only thing left that was still in tact was my memory card.  Thank you for that!  I now wander around amelessly spotting shots of scenery without a lens.  However, on Thursday I head to Queenstown and am extremely pumped for that.  I've got to find a way to document that...

Debbie, me, and Helen on our way over Arthur's Pass (the most extraordinary road in the world) from Puni headed down the East Coast.


It's very weird to think I'm coming home so soon.  I have to say, I'm not ready to go back to the States.  Extremely not ready.

A Wee Update

Alright, this post will be bit short and sweet...
This past week CVNZ took us volunteers down to Okarito to plant trees.  I swear I think I've planted one thousand trees alone.  I didn't know that it was possible to have a town smaller than Punakaiki, but Okarito really broke that record consisting of a cafe, five or six houses, and a camping ground.  Although the views of the Southern Alps from our back door seemed to melt away any craving for contact with society.  
For our four night stay we were given four dollars for showers.  It was one dollar for five minutes of hot water then with no warning the cold peirced your skin.  Living on the egde here.
For some reason this past week was the week where every Kiwi and their brother decided it best to make fun of everything the American girl did.  Although I will give them credit on some circumstances. 
After our first day's work, we walked up the bush track to the glacier in Franz Josef.  It was a bit hazy, but well worth the journey.  My photos do not do it justice.  I reckon you need that peripheral vision in addition to your focal point.  Unfortunately, I was unable to capture that vastness.
Last night was quite busy at the pub.  Since I hadn't been there for a little under a week I was starting to have withdrawls and decided to pop my head in and say hello.  I ended up meeting a man dressed in an old jail outfit with a ball and chain attached to his leg.  He had been travelling from Picton all the way down to Punakaiki the entire day dressed in this fabulous attire.  The reason you might ask?  He was getting married the next day.  His friends and him, drinking since six in the morning, were incredibly "pissed."  Jeanette's son was the best friend of this soon to be groom and made the costume.  We shared a game of pool with a mixure of fellows from all over, concluding the evening with a few home brews at Jeanette's rustic, artistic house.
Living with two British girls at the moment, they decided to prepare a good solid "full english breakfast" for me.  Thus, we hitched into Greymouth to buy all the fixings (sausages, bacon, eggs, toast, baked beans...)  Being breakfast's biggest fan, I am incredibly excited to experience this delux meal.
Last week in Punakaiki.  Heading south this coming weekend for just two more weeks of volunteering.  Then topping off this journey with a bit of travelling on my own down south.  This trip is going quick.

The Ultimate Journey

The other day was the most perfect day.  Chippy, a man of many stories and experiences, decided to take me to Truman Track.  When he arrived at the volunteer house the sun tricked us into proceeding to drive up to the track.  However, once we got there was when it started to drizzle.  Typical West Coast weather, four seasons in one day.  Yet, that didn't stop our little wandering souls from telling us it was just going to pass over.  We set off with our Nikon and Canon dressed in rain jackets and gumboots.  We were almost to the beach when the clouds released heavy buckets of cold windy water.  We bolted for the first cave.  The wild ocean was finishing high tide and was starting to release itself back from land.  Right when the rain began to lighten, we made a run for it.  The pebbled beaches tugged at my hard working feet.  It was like running through quick sand.  We waited for the waves to crash and return before we threw our bodies up onto a minor cliff coated in black, slippery substance.  We were safe from the hungry ocean as we made our way up the boulders and through dark mud.  Gumboots were a good choice.  The rain found us again, forcing us to hurry over and under rocks and boulders, but I didn't care.  My blissful self was thriving off every part of this journey.  Another cave welcomed us with open arms.  It was as if the clouds were teasing us, wanting us to come out to play.  Then, once we thought we could sneak out of our hiding, the dark sky moved above and continued to drench us.  Yet, we continued on this amazing journey.  Every time I raised my body up and over boulders I was more and more amazed with what my wide eyes were seeing.  An optical orgasm just might sum it up.  And now for the ultimate finale... 

The dark clouds had now turned into a sweet lightness, drawing the curtains to release the sun at the most perfect time of day, nearly sunset.  The cliff we now planted our feet on cradled little pools of water that appeared too innocent to touch with dustings of a lime green moss clinging to the ancient cliffs.
So still.  Such a contrast from the hectic gusts of wind and rain we had so recently experienced.

My mind and soul were at peace from being fed this spectacular view.  It felt so pure.  I was speechless.

Just A Little Shout Out Towards Existence For Now...

 It's amazing how many times I've heard people go on about their dreams, about how one day they're going to take all that savings and go out for the time of their life.  However, no matter what you plan to do tomorrow will always be tomorrow until you make it today.  Now that I have finally started living today I know where I am, what I want.  I had to go half way around the world to get back to today.  And it feels damn good!
Whatever makes your heart beat faster should drive your every move in life.  Whatever makes the corners of your mouth creep up to lift your innocent cheeks, should never be absent in your existence.  Whoever makes every colour seem brighter should be by your side.
Just please do me one favour.  Go out today and start livin' the dream if you haven't already.

All Blacks! All Blacks! All Blacks!

NEW ZEALAND WON THE RUGBY WORLD CUP OF 2011!!
The whole town plus several more gathered together for an event that would go down in New Zealand history; the final match of rugby between New Zealand and France.  The townies came at least an hour early to make sure they found a seat to their liking.  "Tall people in the back or to the side!"  However, 99 percent of those who populated the pub at this time were considerably drunk.  Considering this, it was every man for himself.   Jed was decked out and ready to go, wearing the New Zealand flag as a cape and a glass of Tui (New Zealand beer) in hand.  I obviously had to catch up, therefore immediately ordered a glass of Celtic, adding to my running tab of God knows how much.
The match was starting.  The voices of all the drunks, the wide eyed children, and the newcomers to the game of rugby cheered at the top of their lungs as Richie McCaw made his entrance, leading the team onto the field.  The two teams formed in their appropriate positions, beginning with the National Anthem.  Next, the All Blacks put the French right in their place by performing the traditional Maori dance that ended with the players showing mostly the white of their eyes and an incredibly intimidating tongue sticking out.  Pure thrill was the only thing pumping through my veins as the match started, hoping to God that the All Blacks would win.  The first half consisted of beers, New Zealand scoring, players diving for the ball, giving up any inhibitions, and more beers.  "There are French supporters amongst us..." a bearded man whispered to me, pointing out a couple of serious faces.
Fifteen minutes left.  France's score: seven.  New Zealand: eight.  Five minutes later, the Kiwis in the pub started shaking their heads at the All Blacks.  "Their just chewin' up time now!"
Finally, the match was over and all the ecstatic supporters in the pub went completely wild.  Everyone including myself jumped for joy, waving flags, slapping each others hands, smiles stretch from one ear to the other.  New Zealand won with one point's difference.
It's going to be a good month with all these Kiwis in such proud, jolly moods.

Greetings From Jail

After spending a couple nights in jail (hostel) in Christchurch, I hopped on the West Coast Shuttle to Greymouth where I met up with my volunteer coordinator.  We then sped away in the volunteer van up and down windy roads. This was not contributing in a beneficial way to my already upset stomach from the previous hectic bus ride through what I thought could only have been middle earth.  On the way, we stopped to pick up my groceries for the week at the local market.  I was tired and tried to sort through all the unfamiliar products, deciding to get some ham for the lunches I'd pack during the week  I approached the counter with confidence asking, "Can I please have a pound of ham?"  Surprise and confusion tugged at the woman's visage.  I was then tossed back into reality where I figured out I was not in America anymore.  "I'm sorry.  Forgot where I was for a second.  You can just give a me a weeks worth."  We shared a laugh and I continued on to fill my cart with vegetables, crispy apples, and other necessary items, considering my $75 limit. 
Another set of windy roads took us to the volunteer house nestled in Punakaiki, a town consisting of at the most sixty people.  One road, one cafe, one pub, and a crafts shop put this little town together.  My volunteer coordinator showed me to the house and helped me with my bags.  Shortly after, I found myself staring blankly at myself in the mirror.  What have I gotten myself into?  I was the only volunteer this week, however there will be two more Korean volunteers coming next Friday.  The silence hit me hard.  Culture shock, home sickness, whatever you want to call it, crept into my consciousness without permission.  I was never one to thrive off being alone.  I always loved the lively energy of people surrounding me.
Exhausted and not feeling up to par, I thought it best to let the hot water from a shower clear my head.  Once physically and emotionally cleansed, I cocooned myself into my sleeping bag and read myself to sleep. 

Thursday here now.  Came up quick.  The surreal views of the beaches, cliffs and rugby players here make me go weak at the knees.
All this past week I have been working with Kiwis, running around an enclosed forest along with one Kiwi man, one Kiwi lady, and a Kiwi dog.  Here in New Zealand, the people are called Kiwis as well as their native bird who is endangered.  The Kiwi bird, being as old as the dinosaurs, roam around at nighttime and burrow during the day.  Jo, the Kiwi lady, led us on what seemed to be a wild goose chase, holding up a tracking device so that we could locate and measure the birds' improvements.  I had never seen a Kiwi before.  The little puff ball that Jo tugged out from underneath the bush had a long bill and webbed feet.  It was about the size of a chicken at the time, but these are just babies.  After finishing up with the measurements and making our way back out through the thick New Zealand trees, I felt quite special to have had the chance to work with such rarely seen creatures.  Not many New Zealanders have ever seen a Kiwi.
Been here now for six nights, four of which have been spent at the local pub.  Quite a happening place for such an itty bitty town.  Being such a frequent face in the pub, I now have a running tab.  First night there I met Judith, the bartender from Scotland living with her Kiwi man.  Then there was Stephan, the architect who was very insistent that I pronounce his name as SteFan, SteVen was simply unacceptable.  We shared several beers, laughs, and many conversations about silly Americans, photography, and why I haven't illegally crossed the border into Mexico yet.  Next I met Jed, a local surfer boy finishing up high school who felt so inclined to teach me some Argentenian dance moves, morphing my culture experience a wee bit more. 
At the moment I am a fierce learner of Rugby, being as it is the World Cup and New Zealand is in the lead.  Sunday is the final game, and I've heard that if New Zealand doesn't win, then the whole country goes into a deep depression, moping about everywhere.  However, if they win, it will be a fantastic place to be the next month or so.  I hope for the latter.