Ten Last(ing) Impressions

As we leave for home, we came up with 10 points about NZ. There are more, but 10 seemed like a good number. So, in no particular order:

1. NZ is BEAUTIFUL! (Didn’t see that one coming, did you?!)
2. NZ is a very laid back country, with less emphasis on what you wear, the things you have, etc. Very refreshing.
3. NZ seems to be inhabited entirely by nice people.
4. Talking to strangers/fellow travelers has lead to exciting conversations and some surprising coincidences. It’s good to talk!
5. We can live with a lot less: space, clothes, accessories, shower water pressure….Happiness CAN be achieved with less.
6. We will never take central heating for granted again!
7. It’s really exciting when students have read the readings re: the day’s lecture!
8. The no tipping idea sure is nice. And servers still provide quality service because that’s the right thing to do.
9. Public transportation, when done well (as in Christchurch), is great!
10. We benefited so much from living in and learning about a new culture. It made us feel more connected to a wonderful group of people and helped us learn (now and for the future) to be less judgmental and more open to options for how things occur and how we all are more alike than different.

For those of you who read these ramblings, many thanks. We are thankful for everyone’s great thoughts, prayers, and comments. We had a blast and hope someday you get an equally exciting adventure. Love, Kenn and Lynda

Final Days in NZ

Yesterday afternoon, we went downtown and, as you see in the picture, went punting on the Avon. It was very peaceful as we skimmed across the river by lots of mallard and paradise ducks. Last night, we went to the “Uni” Staff Club for a final happy hour and “Sizzling Sausages.” We were somewhat anxious about the sausage part, but it turns out they were pretty good. They were served on your choice of a slice of white or wheat bread. We also tried the Bubbles and Squeak. What is that, you ask? It’s like a hash brown with small pieces of vegetables in it. Very good! We then went with department staff to a Tapas restaurant that was in a rustic (but chic) loft-style building. Great food! Today is our last day in this great city. We’re going downtown, well, because we can and we can still shop! We also will see a real Kiwi (can’t leave NZ without doing that!).

No Fools...We Hear the Clock

Well, the clock is definitely ticking on our stay in NZ. Kenn had his last class session today. The students were very nice and gave him a wooden Maouri fish hook symbol on a stand (he had been wanting something for his office). Two nights ago, Kenn’s suite mate, Dr. Emily Lin, took us out to her favorite (very authentic) Japanese restaurant downtown. We decided to be adventurous and let her pick out the meal. So, that means we had such delicacies as venison (sorry Bambi!), eel, fried fish (as in they fry the whole fish, including bones, so crispy that it is like eating chips…..sort of), and some kind of egg pudding thing. And there was even more than that! Really, most of the food was very tasty. Tonight we head off in search of a cheap suitcase because, well, we have more coming back then we did going. ARGH! Tomorrow is our last late afternoon time at the University Staff Club. It’s sizzling sausage night, too! Cheers!