kia ora !
that be hello in Maori
Aotearoa !
that be New Zealand in Maori
ahh wizards, sorcery, fairies and dreams......
Just wrapped up a reading session with my cousins. harry is reading (more accurately being read) the 5th Harry Potter book, something about Oracles. I read a bit last night too. I haven't even so much as read the leaf of an HP book, but I maybe a late joiner to the fan club. I mostly like the names of people and the fact that it seems to be a different world. I guess me and the cousins are having a magical theme today, cuz this afternoon we went and saw the new Peter Pan movie at the local cinema. (the local cinema is connected to the recreation centre and i think could only hold about 80 people). Peter Pan was excellent. It took me away to Never Neverland that's for sure. I think I enjoyed it more than the kids.
Lots of magic over here in NZ, just waiting for me :)
speaking of magic are any of you tuned in to how well NZ is doing at the movie awards???? Lord of the RIngs (LOR) swept the Golden Globes, and 3 NZ made films are nominated for Oscars (LOR, Whale Rider & Last of the Samuri). People across this land are very excited. And yes, having a LOR obsessed cousin helps keep me up to speed. My Granny keeps saying people will know where we are now? Funny Gran. (on a side note my Gran and uncle Barry hate George Bush. thanks goodness. Supposedly some AMericans are going to be moving on to a farm up behind my uncles orchard. HE said he plans on flying an Afghani flag and an Iraqi flag. Guess I know what he's getting for a pressie?)
now for all my mish-mash observations**
Nelson & Motueka area --
this place is so unique. it has a climate combination of the Okanagan, the westcoast if BC (but with clear blue water) and the people of the Kootenays. i guess it is subtropical. oh ya and there are these amazing trees (what i call palm ferns) they are trees that look like palm trees but they are actually ferns --- hence the palm fern. they are soo cool. Motueka is full if hippies. i swear i have seen more heads with dreads here than any other place i've lived. Nelson is a pretty arty communuity and this whole region I think is seen as the 'alternative liviing' place. I have heard rumors of Motueka Gold too, but I have yet to get a wiff of any. The herb is illegal in NZ. It is hard to trylu describe, but this littel town opens on to an amazing natioanl park and it is all sandy beaches and gorgeous tourquois sea.
Maori--
it is neat, most of NZ has Maori place names. and it has taken some time to figure out how to say them correctly. For example, Whanganui is pronounces Fung-a-newie. Wh are F's. and in general all vowels are pronouced. Then there are the ones that sounds like curses, Whakatane . You figure it out!
I am learning more about the treaty process and some of the history related to current government and all. NZ has a proportional representation system, I don\t fully get it yet but I am keen to know how it works exactly. (seeing BC is reviewing its electoral system and all). I may visit a Maori church with my dad.
Oh ya, and us white folk are referred to as Pakeha (even in the news paper).
Oh ya and kids get to learn Maori in school. That is one thing we could not realistically do in BC thats for sure. BC has the highest concentration of different First Nation languages in all of Canada. Not just one.
I guess that would be all. I always think of things I want to share after I've logged off. I have been taking advantage of the free internet at my Grannies (my dad has it set up while he is in NZ). Internet cafes are pretty dear and the public libraries are even more expensive.
If any of you punks out there have questions or want me to look up anything, report of specific stuff, just say the word. Maybe these are boring to read, let me know I can spice them up somehow.
to all a good night
c.a.r.a
i want to know what colour is the ocean and is it warm like in other tropical areas or is it colder like our ocean? and what are the fishies like?
.amie.
Posted by: amie at January 29, 2004 01:56 PMCara! Keep the stories coming, really enjoying them and trying to imagine cycling down the peaceful country roads there... must be so nice. My boss and a friend of mine are heading down to NZ next week for some sort of thing called X-Air in Hamilton, I think that's on the south island. Oh, you jet setters...
Hey, sounds like Nelson NZ is just like Nelson, BC!! Plese bring back a palm fern for me, and if you see any wizards, do take pics!
Take care.
kp
Salut, bebe,
Well, it's ON! J'arriverai a Auckland fevrier 28.
J'espere que nous hook-up!
Jason's talking skydiving! Yeehaw. I've always wanted to do that.
Hope the pickin's easy, darlin'.
Bonne journee, HotStuff.
xoxoK
Posted by: lucidxtreme at January 31, 2004 10:56 AMhey fish!
i think that you find out what species are native only to new zealand and tell us as you find out. if you focus on the stuff you can eat you might be able to graze as you bike along.
your trip sounds fun but i can't help thinking it would be way better if i were there. when are you going to find me that new zealand sponsor family?
my dad says hi. he is building ice road in the artic and is quite jealous of your escapades in paradise.
just so you know i sent you the email that you needed to your hotmail and sfu account incase it doesn't work on one of them.
be well.
-soda
Hey Cara
Just found your blog again ( put it in a folder but didnt know followup emails go directly into it, ala invisible on the inbox) anyway ... really good to see your sketches along the pathway. Not much new here. The BC gov has fired a pack of peoiple, shuffled ther cabinet and covering their tracks, ie> greek spartan rules, if you get caught your guilty. Varying weather otherwise, rain, clouds and as per indigenous residents with amnesia, when the sun comes out, they forget it ever rained, and think THEY are in paradise... Take advantage of the power wheels in NZ, they may be the last ones on the planet to see IC GHG cars after www.theaircar.com becomes more commonplace.
Is that an ad ? Tryin to get ready for globe and have to start hoofin for sponsors for a demo and listing.
Glad to see the family is vibrant and hapening, look forward to news of your journeys, now i know where to click. xxxooo - ~~~ surf and 000's
Posted by: M~~~ at February 1, 2004 11:26 AMHey Cara - your truly in the land of wizards, sorcery and dreams - check out:
http://www.newzealand.com/index.cfm/purenz_page/AEB34F6E-48DB-4DCA-8ECA-43E41E977C44.html
It shows all the locations used in LOTR, some right on your doorstep in Nelson!
I just got back from 2 weeks in Australia a few hours ago. A sudden unplanned trip to attend as a close friend passed away. Sometimes events in our life wake us up to how precious this life really is.
I think you already got that one figured out - go girl!
Benj
Posted by: Benj at February 1, 2004 01:54 PMHey Cara,
A set of wheels and away you've gone;
Wonder if along came a bong
Probably a beach and a samoyan thong
Watch your feet for little things
Sometimes the wee creatures sting
or is that Australia ?
Hope the Aurora shines brightly
And the Sea of stars lightly
L XXOO M~~~
Salut! Cara,
Are there monkey trees on South Isl. like on the North Isl they truly are beautifull & amazing...
can you find out how old growth rainforest protection is doing in the Maori isles?
Aslo note that there are several Rainbow Gatherings in N.Z. throughout the year...
Tell us more about proportional representation down there...
Oh yes try that bubbling up mud from the volcanic steaming areas it's great for the skin...
Oh yeah, have yu been to critical mass yet?
All for now, more later...
Saturday is the People's Prom! good music good vibes & smooches for a good cause...
will think of u there... this year it's at the Maritime Labour Centre, i guess they figured they needed lots more space this year given last years success(wich you deserve some credit for)
hey fishy girl!
the prom is tommorrow and i've been thinking of you and our lovely smooch last year. the kissing booth just won't be the same without you.
i found a horrendous dress - it really was someone's prom dress about 10 years ago - very ruffly and fruffly, oh dear! will send photos. check your hotmail account.
the weather here in v-town has been glorious the past week - beautiful afternoon bike rides in the sun!
we miss you!!
Cara,
I had quite a bit of reading/catching up to do, but it was so nice to hear about all of your adventures. It sounds like you and Maren had a perfect visit--I'm so glad. How long are you going to stay in NZ...are you going to Oz?...do you need to stay with Pip or David in Adelaide..do you need any 411 that I can provide? Tell me! And keep writing, it's great. Bye bye baby!
Love Megan
Posted by: megan at February 17, 2004 12:14 PMWas browsing Google and found your site, enjoyed the reading, thanks
Posted by: Taylor at August 8, 2004 06:48 PM