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.