Last Weekend in Wellington

Well, I have survived the first three weeks, and I am happy for that every day! Between my visa troubles, traveling for 24 hours across the world for the first time ALONE, and my body being out of whack...I truly thought I should come home after about 4 days. Thankfully, I see now how much I would have regretted it, and how glad I am I took this trip. In the future I am sure I will travel more w/ other people, but I definitely feel this is something I needed to do for myself, & I can't wait to see what else happens in the coming months. There have already been ups and downs, great parts and boring parts, but overall I have already seen unbelievably gorgeous things and met wonderful people. So, it makes me sad to think my Wellington days will soon be ending. However, you never know...I may end up back again by December. We shall see.

As far as the Wellington update goes, timing seems to have worked in my favor coming & going. When I arrived everyone left for India, and when I leave everyone will be coming back! I leave Monday, and they will be back Wednesday morning. So, as far as things working out well...I seemed to slip in and out in the perfect time. The only bad part will be Frances and her recovery. But at least she will be home sooner than expected, and hopefully start to bounce back. She will come back to a wheelchair, and a week from tomorrow is her 21st birthday, so this will be a little different than her planned "21 shots" she was going to do in India. (probably for the better!)

Today was a stunning Saturday with weather to die for. We got up and were out of the house by 8:30. We went to Elinor's gym class, multiple grocery stores for Sacha to restock and me for the hostel, then saw Sacha's grandparents and her cousin who is getting married in China to a woman from China in January, and then we came back and had a picnic lunch. We had broccoli soup outside with toast. Elinor got all our drinks and set up the blankets with her teddies. We were going to go to the zoo, and do other things...but the weather was so beautiful Sacha and I just laid out in the sun while Elinor stripped down in no time to run through a sprinkler we set up. She was quite entertained by it, and it cracked me up how she had her clothes on, the sprinkler was mentioned, and a second later the clothes were coming off and she's running madly around! I have pictures, but maybe not for the blog...

After that we went to the restaurant, "La Boca Loca" to tell Sacha's brother Simon happy birthday since today is his birthday. However, he decided to work a double shift.

Now I am back figuring out how to reorganize and pack again after 3 weeks of having my own space.

Lastly, in NewZealand hostels are called, BACKPACKERS. So, if I start referring to where I am staying as a "backpacker," it is a hostel, and you will know what I mean.

Goodnight

And here is a quick list of different words used in NZ:

Hug = Cuddle

Ketchup = Tomato Sauce

Belly Button = Puku Button   (Puku is a Maori word)

Look or take a turn = "have a look" "have a go"

Elevator = Lift

Bathroom = Toilet

Flashlight = Torch

Trash = Rubbish

And many others I can't think of right now