Lambs are so unbearably cute!
Kiwis shorten whatever words they can & end them in 'ie' just like my beloved Abigail (brekkie, nappie, Aucky, etc.) It's very endearing.
The toilets here give the option of a full or half-flush.. it's very economical!
It's COLD, which is challenging for me, but the abundance of hot springs seems to generously make up for it.
There are farm stands all over with free range eggs, perfect avocados, lemons, oranges, etc. and you meet the nicest people when you stop at them.
There are toy libraries in each and every town called Plunket! I adore this idea & fancy starting one back home.
Oh, NZ's got me saying things like 'sweet as,' 'bugger,' 'fancy' (as a verb), 'bloody,' pronouncing 'z' like 'zed,' & using 'cheers!' as a greeting. it's fun!
And it's incredibly visitor-friendly. For example, as you drive into a town of any size, there are signs indicating where the public restrooms are, and almost every town has a visitor info spot with actual people who are actually helpful & friendly!
It's amazing.
Most of all, everyone we meet is just so wonderful. Like our new friends Mel & Weston in Owhango, the very very very small town close to 'Mount Doom' where Gertrude (van #1) showed her true colors by breaking down. We just met them, and they've been so sweet to us, loaning us extra bedding when it turned out to be much colder than we expected, and giving us a spot to park Fluffy (van#2) now that Gertie (van#1) is fixed. (setting off in Gertie, we're talking relative lap of luxury here). Also they're just impressive people in general, with several horses, two calves, a very big pig, several chickens and a cat, and already a budding veggie garden for spring, as well as really amazing stories. I'm glad we'll definitely get to pop in on them again when we're heading north!
But for now, we're heading south!! We're hanging in Wellington for a few days, & it's such a nice city! Last night we saw Tiki, a Maori musicial performance which was very powerful, today we explored the botanical gardens with picnic, and tomorrow the Te Papa Museum and capoeira class (yay)!!! AND We found a place in town that's showing the U.S. election coverage live on Wed (Tues there) aaaaaaah!!! I just watched Obama's 30 minute 'infomercial' and have been gobbling up any news on Sarah Palin I can find - I'm fascinated and appalled, and curious what you think. Please do tell, because I'm terribly out of the loop!
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I voted last Wednesday. Julie will vote on the 4th so that she can take Abby to our precinct, where they have a special booth set up for kids. The polls show Obama and McCain almost even in NC, which is crazy to consider because everyone seems so conservative. I'm still cautiously optimistic about the outcome in NC and Nationwide.
The whole family is headed to Atlanta on Wednesday 11/5, where the girls will tour the aquarium. Then, on Thursday, we will leave for Florida to celebrate Gigi's and Grandpa Tom's 50th Wedding anniversary on Saturday. If you are near a phone, the family will be together, and I'm sure they would love to hear from you.
The girls will stay in Florida for a week or so with your parents while I drive back to work on Sunday.
awesome. thanks for the update! i love picturing abby walking into the voting booth, knowing what she's talking about - ha! i hope she tells everyone there what's up. sounds like a fun roadtrip coming up! i just talked to joe & elaine and they're pretty excited about your visit. i'll have to try calling someone's cell next sat. for sure! i hope you enjoy the sunshine state & all that ensues!
Hi darlings!! We are so happy with our new President, celebrating everyday!! Love the new photos and blogies..missing you both soo much. Peace,warmth and fantastic explorations!
Jenni,Bill,Lily and Coop
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