Hello everyone! I wanted to take one last opportunity to write a bit about my time in New Zealand! As of today I will be heading home in two days (though I'm beginning to get a little worried about that, as the ash cloud from the volcano in Chile is still hanging over the islands) and my semester abroad will be over. So I thought first of all I'd give you a little summary of some of my favorite things that I have done and seen! Enjoy!
- The countryside. I'm not sure I have ever been to such a beautiful place. Seriously it is so gorgeous in some parts of New Zealand that it doesn't even look real. (And choosing this picture was almost impossible, I have literally hundreds of comparable if not better photos). I know I could be happy just driving around here, turning up the music and watching the country fly by.
- How friendly people are. Though I did not try it (because if I did my family would never let me leave the country again...), hitchhiking is a common practice here in New Zealand and you will be totally safe. Though I traveled on the South Island largely on my own over fall break, I never really felt like I was alone. Everywhere I went, whether it was on a bus or checking into a hostel, I felt as if everyone was looking out for me. From being asked to dinner by a hotel receptionist, seeing I was on my own, from the personalised tours I received as I was a lone traveler, I couldn't ask for friendlier or more hospitable folks.
- The lack of stress in my life here. Both a product of relaxing and interesting classes as well as constantly being surrounded by good friends and amazing views, I have truly had a stress free semester. I feel like it has given me a certain amount of perspective that will be useful throughout my life, both back in college as well as in medical school. It's just one test. It's just one grade, a C is not quite the end of the world I feel so many of us make it out to be. As best said by a Kiwi friend of mine here, on why Kiwis are so stress free: "What do we have to be stressed about? We live in New Zealand it's friggin amazing." It couldn't be closer to the truth.
- Sal's Pizza. Though a New York style pizza joint there is not place like Sals. It is so good. Everytime you walk around with a Sals pizza Kiwis are A) always like, that pizza is HUGE (i.e. a medium in America) and B) WHERE DID YOU GET THAT! Best place for pizza in Auckland, no question about it.
- They basically don't use to change here. While there are $2, $1, $0.50, $0.20 and $0.1o coins, there are no equivalents of nickels or pennies. If your order costs $8.51 it is rounded down. It's so nice!
Things I missed most from home:
- I did not even come close to realising how much I would miss my friends and family. I really took for granted how much I would miss my close friends, my family, and my friends so close they are family. I would never advise against going abroad if you have the opportunity, but make sure you have means to stay in contact with your loved ones at home. Knowing what I know now, I will truly make the most of a summer at home with some of my favorite people.
- My cell phone. Though most people got cell phones here in Auckland, I decided to try and go without! Mostly as an experiment, to see if I could, but I know that at home I often get fed up with people. A friend will ask me to dinner and then spend half of it texting away at someone else. I really don't like that so I wanted to see if I could turn it off. I can, and I would do it again. That said I will really appreciate having it again at home, particularly during my 9 hour layover in Los Angeles!
- Food that is not a white starch! I've eaten a LOT of rice and pasta this semester. Though there are lots of options for amazing food in New Zealand, I really tried to save as much money as I could and eat as cheaply as possible without sacrificing my health. I ended up successful, paying for my entire trip (except flights and a food stipend from my college at home, who was paid via existing scholarships) with the profits of working 30+ hours a week last summer. I'd call that success, but I am definitely looking forward to my mom's baked ziti and my best friend's fajitas!
What I'll miss most:
- My Kiwi friends. Amazingly enough, despite the fact I've only been here in Auckland for about 5 months, I have made some amazing friends here who I will truly miss. I can only hope that someday they will come visit me in the United States or that I will see them when I come back someday!
- Tim Tams. There is no doubt in my mind that they are the best cookie ever. They are delicious, particularly in the amazing creation known as a Tim Tam Slam. For all of you who I will see this summer, you will be trying them with me! I know you can buy them at International Food and World Markets, but only the original and apparently they are not the same.
What I learned:
I can truly say that when I leave New Zealand I will be leaving a part of myself here. New Zealand is unlike any place I have ever been--including being astoundingly and breaktakingly gorgeous but also just being a place where living is comfortable and folks are friendly. I can only know that someday I will come back, and you all should come too!
That's it for now. I'm heading back to the United States on Saturday morning and will see all of you soon! This is it for this blog, it'll be up for awhile and maybe will be revived for my next trip, which hopefully will be to the fabulous continent of South America, including trips to Ecuador, Peru and Argentina!
Until the next adventure...
Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts and checking this thing! Miss you all and can't wait to see you soon!
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