Lately...

Everyday continues to be pretty remarkable. I often find myself imagining what my life would be like if I could spend the rest of it in New Zealand. I don't think I could ever grow tired of the politics, the people, the lifestyle, the nature, or anything else about this place. I suppose I might be speaking (or writing, rather) such words too soon, considering it has only been a little over 2 months, but I truly mean it all. Perhaps I wouldn't find things here to be made of such perfection if I had the option to make my stay permanent. I suppose I will never know because it is, in fact, illegal for me to stay. Oh, well.

I only have a little over a month left in Wellington before I move further south, so I am desperately trying to make the most out of the remaining weekends. I have abandoned my naive idea of saving tons of money and am instead spending almost everything I earn on wonderful food, drinks, shows, and traveling.

the Amazing Alice and I drove a mere half hour to find this beautiful beach

Alice!

Chris, Rachael and I went to see Beirut! The Opera Hall acoustics and five encores made it one of the best shows I have gone to in a very long time.

Alice and I have discovered we have quite a bit in common. Our obsession with ice cream is one of those things. We decided to make a new tradition: Sundae Sundays, where we eat heaps of ice cream for dinner! 

On a whim, last weekend I decided to bus 7 hours to Tongariro National Park and hike the Alpine Crossing. Now, I know some may think it a crime that I have never the Lord of the Rings (trilogy, is it?), but it is in fact true. However, I have now hiked through the same mountains as all of those silly looking men that I have seen on the previews. 

After 7 bumpy, but remarkably pleasant hours, during which I finished 1.5 books and listened to Neko Case on repeat, I arrived at my hostel and met more great people. We spent the night discussing our home countries, the ups and downs of our travels, and stereotypes we have developed (guilty). Then we (Canada, England, Sweden, and America) sat down to play a rousing game of New Zealand Monopoly.

The next morning I woke up quite early and began the foggy hike.

this is what the fog cleared to!

the Emerald pools (no color corrections!)

After the almost 14 miles I hiked up, down, and around mountains, through both snow and blaring heat, I was incredibly tired and quite proud. I spent the next day in a cafe drinking coffee, reading, and writing while I waited for my bus. I used to despise waiting, but lately it has become one of my favorite things to do. In the right atmosphere, of course, and when I am not waiting for anybody else. I really love keeping my own time and am more than ever relishing my independence and freedom.

The bus ride home was a bit strange. I kept dozing in and out and each time upon opening my eyes I would find each scene outside of my window eerily reminiscent of a landscape I had become familiar with in the United States. In my confused half sleep I witnessed the dry terrain of New Mexico, the same rolling fields I could have sworn belonged in Virginia, the tall blowing trees from the Adirondacks, and the cliffs of Oregon. I felt very homesick, and not just for my true home of Virginia, but for every other place I have called home since.