What I have learned in New Zealand....

TO USE STRONG SUNBLOCK!! the sun is strong here and yes i am redder then a lobster!! it hurts but i guess its all part of the fun of traveling :)

From Wellington: Most evenings one of our cooking teams prepares dinner and we eat together and share our day's activities with each other. We generally meet after dinner for class to discuss our responses to our readings and official sessions with guests and tours of local sights. We've had a city tour to learn about the Wellington land and seascape, investigated the magnificent Te Papa, New Zealand's museum. Te Papa is Maori for "our place" and indeed it is a very wide ranging set of exhibits and experiences.

I finally figured out how to log on. I forgot the web site address and what my username and password was. We've been in New Zealand for about 11 day and it has been a great experience. We have met with authors and librarians, seen historical sights, swam with dolphins, and explored New Zealand. The country is very beautiful and the people are suprisingly nice and talkative. I'd have to say the highlight so far has been learning. Having the experience to be in another country is undescribable.

Well, it only took me like 11 days and about 15 failed log in attempts but I am finally able to write a new blog. And I have a total of 9 minutes to do so...so I will keep it short. I love New Zealand!

Kia Ora!
(greetings in Maori)

Yesterday we finished the 12 hour train trip and arrived in Auckland! It was a pretty good ride with a lot to see. We definetly got a good look at the real New Zealand scenery. We are staying in a college dorm that use to be a train station, so it is very pretty! Today we went to the maritime museum which has a lot of info. on the boats and Maori sea travel history. Then we all signed up to do crazy fun things here! A bunch are bungy jumping!

We made it to Aukland. It was a 12 hour train ride! The city looks a lot like Seattle. The SkyTower is a lot like the Space Needle! We saw a bit of the city today and went to the Maritime Museum.

So we made it to Auckland-yeah!! We went on a little city tour today and hit up the childrens section of the public lib. We then had some free time to check out what Auckland has to offer. This city reminds me of home more then any of the others. It is large like Seattle the only thing is that people are brave and are walking around without any shoes on-this would never happen at home. At home there are signs in every shop that say shoes and shirt required but not here in NZ-people walk around shoe less all the time.

Today we visited the Auckland Museum which is featuring an exhibit entitled Vakamoana: The Untold Story of the World's Greatest Exploration. The exhibit traces a journey that began 4000 years ago and portrays the human settlement of the Pacific Islands including New Zealand. The rest of the museum contains exhibits about the Pacific People (Polynesian, Maori, Pakeha) who settled New Zealand, the natural history of New Zealand, and the emergence of New Zealand as a nation. The Auckland Museum represents the pride of all New Zealanders in their country and their diverse cultures.

We're in Auckland right now. It is very fun.

I am going bungy jumping tomorrow. I am very excited.

Yesterday we saw a Maori celebration and ate a lot of food and saw some Maori dancing including the infamous HAKA!