Orientation and Moving in

Since I've updated last, I have met soo many people and had a ton of fun.  Auckland was a place to see, but not so impressive, so I'm glad I am not spending my semester there...it's a very industrial city.  The long weekend of orientation in Rotorua was a bit like summer camp but a good time.  I went to a sheep show...did you know there are 19 breeds?  

I learned the Haka (YouTube it if you don't know what that is) and also went to a traditional Maori dinner.  I had a really good bottle of wine that night that I split with a guy from Bloomfield Hills!!!  (and Mom, he knows Natalie Krane!!)  It's such a small world.  

  Anyway, we went zorbing as well, which is pretty crazy.  It's pretty much a huge inflatable ball with water in it that you jump into and then roll down a big hill.    The next day we drove to the Waitomo caves where I repelled down a narrow passageway and hiked through some beautiful rock formations.  It's amazing how long the limestone takes to build up and I learned a lot about that.  At one point we all turned our headlamps off to be in the most complete darkness possible...then we zip-lined over some formations to the exit!  That was probably my highlight of the weekend =)

Moving into my flat didn't take long.  I've realized I didn't bring any clothes.  I don't know why I thought having 6 shirts and 2 pairs of jeans would be sufficient.  Oh well, there are "Op Shops" (second-hand stores) all around so I think I'm going to get some stuff tomorrow.  I did the class approval thing and it's such a messed up system here.  No worries though, I'm taking some sweet courses (they call them "papers" here).  Adventure Education, Theories and Perspectives of Physical Education and Health, Maori Society, and the Environmental History of New Zealand.

My flat is pretty nice, other than the weirdest sinks I've ever seen.  Oh, and they don't have central heating here.  If you don't know what that means, then just think of me wearing most of my clothes and bundled up in my bed.  It's damn cold!  I will be purchasing a sleeping bag soon and may take up residency in it.  The people I'm living with are all vegetarian, which is really fun, and we have a community food system for the most part.  One person has been in charge of cooking dinner each night and I made a delicious salad last night with sweet potatoes (they call them "kumara") and beets and feta.  Yummm.  Anyway, my flatmates are Nick the Kiwi host, Kristina from Massachusetts, Rachel from Canada, Stephen from Canada, and Ditte from Denmark just incase I use their names in later posts.

I'm starting to find my way around and classes start next week.  Wahoooo.  I'm sending love.

Oh, and one of my favorite photos from Nambucca Heads when we were in Australia is below!!  Cheers, mates.