Day Ten: I Hope Its Not The End

A 3:00 am wake up call sounds miserable right? Well it is.  Since we were all done packing I made the horrid mistake of trying to get a couple hours of sleep witch I discovered was an awful idea and will never do it again, if I have to wake up at 3am I’m staying up! We were all tired and most of us cranky, the few people who weren’t were pretty much despised by me, which is saying something since I’m normally a nice person. I didn’t really go to sleep on the first three-hour flight, I couldn’t. We stopped momentarily at the airport in Sydney for a quick snack and then were back on the plain. 25 hours total we were on the plane we were told. I love planes and all but even I have a limit to how long I can be on them before I lose my mind.  I was glad I sat by friends on the flight home, it was easier to maneuver around then, yep my amazing gracefulness of a decrepit stick got to really shine through on the long plane ride. I didn’t sleep much, it mostly felt like my body was in a tired numbness but my mind raced with thoughts continually flowing music. I fortunately got a window seat witch mesmerized me the entire flight, if I could be guaranteed some of the views I saw on the plane that night every night I could ALMOST live on a plane….

            

The world is so full of wonder when looking down at it in flight, the sky is so filled with possibility and the mind is so full of thought. I’ve never seen the moon brighter and I’ve never seen so many stars. I easily could get lost in the almost unreal world outside of that uncomfortable plane window. I remember wishing for the pilot to slow the plain down because this beauty was all I got left to really marvel at during this trip, so please just make it last.

            I soon discovered just how much I dislike Americas airports filled with unhappy people. I wonder why we are all so bitter, even though we all enjoy the sweetness of others in other countries. I think if people could start carrying for others this country, this world would be a better place. When the last plane ride came around I felt like a statue at that gate. How could it be only one more plane ride and it all be done?

            Anyway after the many plane rides I tried really hard to put on a smile that turned out to be so pitiful I even felt sorry for myself. I wasn’t to excited about heading home until all those plane rides, then all I wanted was a shower and my bed. I try to keep reminding myself to not look back on those days that are lost and think of them as something to cherish. But being back home feels so strange. I really believe something has changed in me, or at least I really want to believe that. 

Top Ten

1.     The Great Barrier Reef- it didn’t really have much significance to my learning or overall travel growth, but there was something about that experience that made a difference to me, it’s hard to explain.

2.     Ranitoto College- I loved meeting my pen pale and this bewilderingly un encounter turned me in me into a people person for a couple hours, something I so am not!

3.     Maori dinner- I thought this was one of the best things culturally we did because we got to try their wonderful food and also experience a long cherished traditional greeting. This was a fun experience that brought out the wild entertainer in a lot of us, including some particular teachers whom shall not be named directly, but you know who you are.

4.     The Maori Village- this was an extremely enjoyable experience and was fascinating, these customs are truly unique to New Zealand’s people and that made this experience wonderfully exploratory.

5.     Sydney City- I believed it was beneficial to us all to see, the way a city should be kept and the way a city should feel. I loved all the street performances and interacting with people I couldn’t quiet understand, it taught me a lot and brought me out of my shell.

6.     The Food- I think throughout the trip we were all forced to try something new, weather it was vegemite or raw fish stew we all had to stray from normal eating habits into adventurous ones, it really makes me appreciate some of the people on the food channel a lot more.

7. The Environment in both countries- America and its citizens could really learn lesson or two about how much the earth around them effects its culture from these two countries, I loved how incorporated the world around these people was to their everyday life, it was wonderful.

8.     Sightseeing- the multitudes of beautiful land scrapes I believed brought forth the creative and intuitive side of a lot of our students.

9.     Lunging- Although this wasn’t all that culturally different from our pastimes like, go carting or simply riding around in a scooter, it was still fun for a lot of students and had us all begging for more.

10. The Bridge Climb-I loved the bridge climb it was an entirely new perspective of Sydney and also slightly terrifying, but those always end up being the things that you are always proud of doing right?

Day Nine: Travel Alone

We began our day on an old styled, charming train ride through the mountains. It was extensively scenic and sweet.  We al knew we were nearing the end of our trip and you could almost feel the eyes fall intently on the foreign beauty of Australia, wishing for it to never leave. When the train ended we were brought to a small village on the mountainside, witch was quaint and had extremely pleasant people. It was a quick trip, we soon left the village and headed towards the wet tropics, a brilliant rainforest. We spent a good amount of time in airlifts, which make even me nervous at times.  We ended up at an aboriginal area and watched a traditional and entertaining performance filled with song and dances. We each got to try our hand at boomerang and spear throwing. I was nervous and sunk back into my shy little ball and hid in the corner hoping I wouldn’t have to throw and fail in fount of everyone, but some boy from our trip just had to notice my stupid pink shirt and convince me to go and try, another instance of being forced out of my comfort zone, and honestly I do owe this boy because I probably would have regretted not going up.

            For dinner my group ate at the food court, we headed to the hotel a little earlier than a lot of the other students, which was great under the circumstances. Amanda and I got the chance to pack and pull a little joke on our roommate, one that would have been funnier if EVERYTHING didn’t go wrong, but it was a fun idea and in the end we were all giggles.

            

Could I travel on my own? I think I could, don’t get me wrong I know that it would be frightening and I would probably have several awkward or depressing moments, but hey what doesn’t really kill you makes you stronger right. The main reason I think I could travel alone is because I think I need to. Sometimes when you’re with people you know you fall into whom you portray yourself as. Sometimes to really grow you need to become someone who is either so completely you venerable and open or become someone else and explore who you truly are. When traveling with people this is exceeding difficult, I mean how can you turn your back on yourself without turning it on them? If I ever do, or really when I venture out on my own I will have understanding of what I’m taking on, and I will not fear it, I hope. I understand the responsibility not only to yourself but also to your country when you travel, what you’re representing and what you’re showing the world. I believe that understanding is another reason I could travel alone; this understanding and this respect for not only for the culture around you but also for your own is need when traveling. I’ve waited to long for a chance for something where I truly grow and I think that burning hunger for that change will drive me to jump head first into an adventure, even if I’m alone.

Day Eight: The Reef

            The great beerier reef was one of the most breathtaking experiences of my life. I could feel myself tear at the seems, fading back to that small girl flying around the room outstretched arms, eyes closed pretending to feel the cool water on her cheeks and the stickiness of finish slid across and through her finger tips. That small girl whom belonged in that beautiful and magical world, that small girl who used to be me, and perhaps in a more significant way then previously thought still is. Its funny how strange I felt while in that water, I gave myself away to my dreams, young and naive as they were they made me who I am today. I felt as though the sky broke and everything in me escaped into a dream. It never bothered me that it wasn’t as colorful as I had imagined and wasn’t packed with life as I had thought, it  only took my breath away, every part of it. For a moment I belonged to a fairy tale and that silly little memory I thought I could never truly have really happened, and really took my everything. I asked myself looking down into that foreign but familiar world if this was the place I used to love? Is this the place I’ve been dreaming of for so long? As I swam I could feel something, something so real, something I’ve needed for a very long time. This world brought me back to a place where only I truly knew.

            

The boat ride there and back was cool although I could only feel my mind fade into distance dark places as I watched the water breath and flow into vivid life before my eyes. Her wild waves seemed to only find outwardly peace but vicious unsettledness when she’s close. I remember understanding just how all those myths about gods and the earth came about. I remember loving the idea of ignoring the pure science of the world, if only for a moment and replacing it with magic.

           

Beside the pure childish fantasy of mine during this trip I also had a lot of fun. My friend’s laughter penetrated my daydreaming silence and I would be pulled back into the purity of fun that was radiating around us all. While swimming I got cut by the coral, which I never expected to be sharp (silly me). The scar wasn’t really pretty either so I spent a good amount of time contemplating what kind of story I can conjure up that makes the scar a little cooler. Maybe I was attacked by a shark? A barracuda? A really angry midget fish maybe? Anything has to be cooler than the sadly pathetic truth of getting into a fight with coral and losing. I also discovered salt water is gross and hurts when you accidently swallow it, ok I knew that but I was unfortunately and curly reminded of it.

            Overall it was one of best moments of my life.

Day Seven: Just for Fun, Change

            We left from Sydney to Cairnis by a short plane ride that was surprising really quick and quiet fun due to the obnoxious amount of turbulence that had me giggling the entire time. I guess I’m just weird like that.  After we left the plain we checked into this rather fancy hotel, when we saw our room we all nearly died. I was so big and beautiful. We were ecstatic and all flew into the beds, it was the best hotel room we have gotten. We had huge smiles on coming out of the hotel room, completely excited for warm weather and water! We walked past this glorious view of mud swamp beaches, which don’t seem that appealing but it was rather lovely, then again, what isn’t in Australia.

            

We walked to a man made beach where Amanda and I laid out in the sun talking and laughing. It felt good to finally to relax and enjoy sunlight. Lexa and me walked around the small layers of sand, both loving the feeling of the sand sinking between our toes. She showed a couple of her mad ninja skills with marvelous flips and twirls, which only showed how relaxed we all were. We all felt like we could take on the world. Later that day the teachers let us all roamed around the town and find dinner. This day was pure freedom, we ate at some adorable little restaurant that had really creepy shrimp, and we were all dancing through the board walk letting our hearts speak louder than our heads. That day was fun and very vacation like; the busyness of the last few days was finally rewarded with this amazing openness.

            

I do feel like I’ve changed a bit throughout this trip. This glorious situation we were all changed in someway, for better or for worse, we have changed. Every moment seems to somehow fall in place and for once I got the chance to see through all the fog and walls I made around myself.  I also got to live in the moment, to not worry what that moment would become, not wonder how long until it fades into a shallow memory, I just didn’t care, I wanted to breath it all in and there where defiantly incidents that I got to lose myself in a world so unquestioned by my anxious mind.  I also let myself drift out of my comfort zone into a slightly embarrassing but overall fun experience. I really hope above everything that when I head home that I wont ever forget what I’ve found and lost here.

Day Six: Around Sydney

Today was a tour of the city; it was magnificent, and wet. We couldn’t go into the opera house but just looking at it was amazing, I could just picture the multitudes of hours that gone into that building. It’s an architectural marvel to say the least; if I where to ever design a building I would want it to be just as beautiful and complex as the opera house.  Our entire group went on a tour of Sydney cruse afterwards, it was extremely windy but beautiful. I even screamed… kind of… on the boat with my friend Lexa, a silly thing I’ve always wanted to do after the boat we headed towards the indoor zoo. It was a lot of fun, we all giggled as Steven shied away from the spiders and awed at the koalas and kangaroos.  We saw a crocodile and spent a good five minutes arguing weather or not it was real, but it never moved so we pretty much gave up on it. We saw so many wonderful animals that I’ve never seen before including the world’s most dangerous bird. After we left the zoo our group concluded that that a lot of Australian animals reminded us of Pokémon, which is extraordinarily nerdy but we really could care less.

           

After the zoo we ate dinner, I had some strange pasta thing that tasted kind of funny but for some reason I wasn’t really that hungry that one day so I didn’t eat much of it. Our dinner table was fun and active we all joked around and tasted each other’s food. We also discovered the wonders and fun squirting abilities of Australian condiment packets.

            A small group of people and I took the train, I did it because I love trains and it just seemed like a better alternative then getting stuck in the pouring rain. We waited for what seemed like forever for the other group to come back to the hotel. Them unlike us where soaked to the bone, and all much more exhausted, GO TEAM TRAIN! It was a good day in all and I loved getting a chance to actually see Australian animals, even if they were in a zoo, I’m still thankful.

Day Five: Freedom of Mind

Today was a total excursion day. We started with a leisurely morning, fallowed by disappointing news. The whale watching was canceled because of bad weather. I was disappointed but I’d be a foul to let it ruin my day. Instead of the first execution we went to the market. We began at the mall, completely confused because all the stores were closed. Luckily Lexa is smatter than the average bear and found the market below the store. Which to my understanding not all the students found. We wondered around for quiet a bit thrilled with the low prices of souvenirs and the accumulation of shiny objects. I tried my hand at haggling for the first time, which wasn’t actually haggling, it was just sob story, pity price lowering, but it worked. The market, I was later told, was a lot like the shops they have in China, and when thinking about buying Australian souvenirs in a Chinese’s market is kind of nifty.

            

After the market we headed to the bridge. Our group again got separated into two groups, ours being the smaller one traveling with Mr. Berry. We went straight through this lengthy tutorial about safely and equipment. I was called an old Asian man by my friend and Taylor Swift by a stranger; I guess I would be quiet good at undercover work. The bridge climb was amazing, I only almost died twice and that’s pretty good considering my plague of klutziness.  Being on that bridge it was so incredibly easy to drift away into space. The view made your mind fly away with possibility. I stood atop of the road looking down at the small cars, and I stood atop looking out to Australia and its ocean horizon, I’ve never felt so small and so large in my entire life. Nothing can compare to the freedom of thought you can have in moments like that. I will never forget the thrill I had standing on my toes looking down to the multicolored sea. I’ve never experienced that strange feeling before, hat one where you stand atop something so high and have the sudden eager to jump, but looking into that deceivingly innocent and pure ocean, I couldn’t help but to imagine. There was something about that moment atop of the bridge, I don’t know what, or really even if its real or if I’m being silly, but there was a moment up there where I think I saw everything just a little clear, and hope for this world no matter how far it may seem is just within reach. Honestly the bridge is the only place where I truly appreciated the city, which is sad but I couldn’t help but compare it to the commonality of Chicago.

After the bridge we all got back together and then separated for dinner. I initially went with the Thai food group but spontaneously decided to go with Ewen to the Indian place we passed. It was a small group of us, just Lexa me and Tyler. It was great to break away from close friends and try something new, and meet people you have hardly ever talked to before.  Lexa and me became good friends and we actually got Tyler to open up and talk with us, he turned out to be really quit nice. I was quiet impressed with both of them anyway for splitting up with the large group in the first place. We also discovered on our little adventure just how much Mr. Ewen LOVES Indian food, especially this delicious bread called Naan. We laughed and ate, ordering way to much food because it all looked and tasted just so good, I have to say Indian is now one of my favorite foods. One of the best dinners on the trip in my option.

Day Four: Comparing Cities

            Today was mostly a travel day, a small quaint plane ride from Auckland to Sydney. We had sometime to explore the city by buss and we got to walk around a bit. It was lovely, I adored the many street performs and the careful detail and care that was put into its deign.  The streets were filled with either friendly residence or anticipating travelers. It was wonderful but when we entered Sydney I couldn’t help but to long for the mountains and open horizon of New Zealand. Alec seemed quiet excited to show us around his city, he introduced to us a couple slang words thrown around in Australia, like the slang pushy, which means bicycle. The street signs were very similar to those in New Zealand, they all had adorable pictures with people obviously to big to fit into that tiny buss, and pictures of decapitated ligaments. All in all it was a fun day that had us all raring for the next.

            

Sydney unlike a lot of cities looked clean, with less people and stylized just right to represent the culture. The glorification points were just that, they were displayed this pride and shown to the travelers with the deepest amazement. It is unlike Chicago in several ways, these include the amount of people, amount of population, and the surprising lack of sport cars. Its much smaller than Chicago and its also a lot quieter, even in the city the people were kind and helpful, something rarely seen here. I liked it a lot for a city, something I’m not to keen on in the first place though. Chicago and Sydney couldn’t be more different when it comes to its atmosphere but its attraction and complexity they are quiet similar.

Day Three: Culture and Rangitoto

We began our day early heading out to hike the red wood forest; which by the way is huge and wonderful. We missed our first buss and got separated from the larger group, if that wasn’t bad enough it was poring rain outside. Although I honestly wouldn’t change a thing about it, the small group was fun and we all willingly belted out Disney songs in the forest trying to make the miserable morning something to remember. I would have NEVER of done that at home so it was great breaking out of my quiet shell. By the end we were all soaked through, cold, and laughing hysterically.

            Later that day we met with the Rangitoto kids. I was nervous and excited for the encounter, realizing just what we were about to do to late. I knew we had to make a good impression, seeing as this might be the only time these kids ever meet an American. I admittedly doubted our 36 students capability to do that. But this experienced turned out a lot better than I thought it would. I got to meet my pen pale whom turned out to be incredibly sweet and smart, we laughed and talked and walked around for what seemed like merely seconds. I got to meet this other girl to, she was super sweet and I’m glad I got to talk with her as well.  So many things surprised me about the experience, most of it involved just how similar to us they were, I mean I kind of expected it, but I was surprised how just how excited they were meeting us, like we them. I loved answering all the questions and finally learn the answers to some of mine. It was admirable how much respect they had for the Maori culture and just how fascinated they were by it. This is the most fun I’ve had in a long time and meeting these kids especially Joe was like meeting a longtime friend again after years of separation. Nearing the end we all attempted the Haka, something not only the American students were embarrassed doing.  Joe and I traded candy and I gave him a bit of American cash, seeing as he was so fascinated with it. The most peculiar thing that happened was when I gave him the money the girl behind him flipped and asked to see it, then she began to smell it, deciding that’s what America smelled like, when its actually what a soggy dollar bill, after its been in the pouring rain smells like, but whatever. When we went back to the hotel we couldn’t stop talking about the experience. It’s truly a memory I will forever cherish

Day Two: Culture

In the morning of day two we aware all greeted with the most beautiful sunrise ever seen. The water acted as if it was a elegant layer of liquid mirror reflecting the sky’s abundance in color and glory. We were all awestricken, we couldn’t help but take as many pictures as possible, we all so badly wanted to capture its striking vividness but at the time could not understand that it was impossible. This sunrise wasn’t only beautiful because of the unrealistic, and astonishing array of color but also because of the way we all felt about it. How each and every student stood there stunned and hypnotized, how this one beautiful scene made us all feel like we have seen something so special, so wonderful that it will forever live in our deepest of dreams. That feeling came from not only the sappy teenage girls like myself, but also from the rambunctious boys and the, I’ve seen everything teachers.

            

After the sunrise we all went on a scenic duck tour, which was fun but mostly due to the large duck whistles we were all handed. Our duck tour dropped us off at Tewhakarewarewatangaoteopetauaawahiao, or Whaka, if that’s too hard to read. This was the Moari’s thermal village. The native culture utilized the thermal activity and warmth for everyday living. The thermo mud and extraordinary therapeutic powers and are used for staying young and healthy, although the steam smelled it created some of the most delectable food and left your skin soft. It was a fascinating town and I was slightly disappointed that we didn’t stay any longer.

           

We then headed towards the Agrodome, a sheep sheering show, I was initially not to excited about this activity but it proved to be a lot of fun. Our last activity of the night was the traditional Hangi. It started with the Maoris and "Chief" Steven to do their traditional introduction. We watched as they preformed there traditional greeting to us and offered the food that was cooked in the geothermal steam. When we finished eating the Maori's performed traditional song and dance in their native tongues. They called the girls on stage to do the pois, I was embarrassing one of then.  Keeping in rhythm and catching the pois was a lot harder than I thought it would be. I could slowly feel my face begin to turn red the more I was on the stage, thank god Lexa was with me laughing the entire time, making me feel so much better about the performance. At home I would have never of done something like that, me being a initially shy person, but I’m really glad I did, it turned out to be a great experience. Last they called the boys on stage to learn part of the Haka, a war dance done by the Maori people. I almost died of laughter watching some of our teacher’s faces, funniest part of today. Before I knew it dinner was done but me Shelby and Amanda stayed up for hours talking and joking about the days events, even trying the Haka ourselves.

            The shared culture of the Maori people and the New Zealanders really reminds me little of Americas inclusion of Native American culture, strangely I believe that this respect and admirations towards the native people is more similar when comparing them to how America views the Hawaiian culture. We as citizens adore the beautiful dances and elegant beauty the natives have shown us through the years despite all the hardship, which is something I believe is beneficial to any country willing to accept and grow.

Day One: New Zealand

Pardon me if I rant on about the airport, I understand that you the reader of this blog know all about air travel, but this was my first time on a plane and even this silly little side adventure meant something to me. So I apologize for this repetitive intrusion but I’m still going to elaborate on it. We began at O’Hare airport standing in line for what seemed like forever. Apparently the system kept crashing when the students were brought up as a group rather than individuals. I felt bad for poor Lexa who stood at there for at least twenty minutes while the workers where trying to sort though technical difficulties.  The luggage check was a lot easer than I had initially expected; in fact I was completely terrified of it after hearing all those wonderful stories about harsh security. Our first flight was from Chicago to LA, three seat rows in a narrow plane that I think has to hold the record for the worst flight we took the entire trip, looking back I’m surprised I wasn’t looking up at the luggage racks expecting snakes to slither out. I was practically hyperventilating out of excitement for the takeoff. I was determined to watch out the window during the flight but the people who sat next to me decided it would be a fun little game to slowly close it on me, which it wasn’t! (Lie). The flight was incredible; the feeling and the view hypnotized me. I’ve never experienced anything like it.

            The second plane was so much bigger then the first. It was packed with electronic toys and comfort accommodations that were actually quite intrusive at the start. I was originally assigned the window but the sweet woman next to me was having trouble getting comfortable so we switched seats.  The flight was long and boring, my only distraction was Riley and her lost shoe.

            When we flew over New Zealand I almost died, it was beautiful, a sea of clouds, with green land seeming to brake through the sky. When we landed I instantly noticed the air: clean, fresh, and absolutely lovely.  The soft dew painted the airport, which was decorated with glass leave windows. It was casual and empty, and in comparison to Americas airports, absolutely wonderful. A dog came and inspected our bags sniffing for food, something we all lied about having, a few got caught and their beef jerky was cruelly eaten in front of them by the excited beagle.

           

Before we knew it we were on our way through the country. I still can’t believe how stunning it is, everything was lush and open. The horizon never seemed so big and the air never seemed so crisp and refreshing. There was also this somewhat frightening amount of cows and sheep, we were told there was a 17:1 ratio between livestock and man, I found that a bit more disturbing than others, but then again I also became strangely paranoid that a sheep from every pasture was staring us down. After riding on the bus for while we stopped in a small village that was largely influenced by lord of the rings, seeing that near that area is where the epic movie was filmed. People from the town couldn’t help but stare; we are loud, matching Americans after all. I ate this strange pineapple sandwich for lunch, which wasn’t my favorite thing in the world, but I was so hungry I inhaled it.

            After we came back to the bus we went straight to lunging, the best thing ever! We got into our Joey group and went up the mountain on a lift. I was surprised how well we all got along seeing as we hardly knew each other. We talked and laughed about the broken plastic dinosaurs that were laid to waste far below us. Our first lunging was unfortunately on the easiest leave, its understandable and all, seeing as we had no idea what we were doing anyway, but we quickly jumped at the chance to ride down at the most advanced level. The lunge is this strange scooter like go-cart thing, which was incredibly fun to drive down the steep turning hills.

           

When our time lunging was over we left to the jade factory, a small store filled with brilliantly crafted jewelry, but way too expensive! We left and finally reached Rotorua, which because of the immense amount of geothermic activity and abundance of sulfur, smelled like rotten eggs. We ate this enormous burger for dinner. Shelby and I spent a good five minutes staring at the meal wondering how in the world it was going to fit in our mouth. We are finally in the hotel and I feel like I’ve had the longest day of my life. Thank god I can sleep, I have never needed it this badly before!

            I’m really looking forward to meeting the other students and seeing more of this beautiful country. My first impression is astonishment: I love it here, the people are kind and have these fascinating accents that are occasionally hard to understand and the landscape is something I’ve only ever seen as screen savers. All in all this was a great first day.