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Published: January 21st 2006
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Cool cow
As seen at the Te Papa Museum. It's made out of corned beef tins! Happy Mother's Day!
Today is your special day.
Thanks for everything. 😊
This is the first of three full days I have here in Wellington. I took it pretty slow getting up since Te Papa (NZ's National Museum) doesn't open up until 10AM. I started off by organizing my laundry (Geesh, laundry Sundays...hard to break some habits, eh?!?) I wanted to get done today, organized my tickets and onward travel stuff, organized more stuff I would like to send home, organized my food, organized my pack a bit too. Guess I'm just in one of those let's get organized moods!
I headed over to Te Papa and spent loads of time there today since 1/2 an hour after my arrival I noticed it was pouring rain outside. There were some interesting and not so interesting exhibits to see. Notably NZ in the 70's, Maori stuff (including stuff on the signing of the Whaitangi Treaty), Italians in NZ, an Earthquake display, this really cool photo display of things that have been magnified and photographed (e.g. plants, bugs etc.), a display on immigrants to NZ and a Made in NZ display to name a few things. I will definitely try and come back again to Te Papa because the museum is so large and some parts I was just walking through because I was feeling a bit of "information overload". I would have to say that of all the museums I have visited in my life, Te Papa would have to be up there in regards to being one of my favourite museums to wander.
I had my rain jacket with me so I figured even though it was raining out I'd go for a walk in the rain and see what else of Wellington I could see. Well after about five minutes in the wind and rain I was soaked and chilled to the bone. Luckily I was near a second hand bookshop that I ducked into to warm up before deciding to face the elements again and wimp out and make my way back to the hostel. Of course I made a quick grocery run along the way. Gotta get my fresh fruits and veggies for the day!
So I eventually made it back to the hostel and made y late lunch/early dinner of a tomato based sauce with extra veggies over pasta. Nothing too exciting. While whipping up some food I started chatting with Pritti from England. She's been away from home about six months now and can't wait to get home.
Then I met Alexandra from Vancouver! The first Vancouverite I've met since meeting Claire in Tam Ky. It is funny that whenever I tell someone that I’m from Vancouver they always say that they've been meeting a lot of Vancouverites...apparently they are all avoiding me. lol Anyhoo...I think we ended up talking for at least two hours. She's really out there in terms of her travel experiences. Quite the brave one. Tackling China, Burma (Myanmar), Malaysia and India all on her own. Then here in NZ she mentioned that she's been hitchhiking! Crazy girl! After stopping in Australia she'll tour around Indonesia before heading back to Vancouver for a few weeks and then taking off again for Europe. Wow. What a plan without a plan since she has no idea where she'll visit when in Indonesia and Europe. Now that's flying by the seat of your pants or what!
She's also been buying plane tickets as she's been going. I wonder how she's managing with her finances and expenses?!? She has way more guts than me. That's for sure! I guess I just feel safer and more secure having a lot more stuff planned out ahead of time. Actually in all of my travels so far it seems like there are way more females than males travelling. Especially those travelling alone. Nice to see so many independent travellers out and about. Being on my own I think I've experienced a lot of things I otherwise might have missed out on (or different experiences) and definitely wouldn't have had as many random chats.
Anita asked me the other week how I've changed but I find that a really hard question for me to answer. I think anyone who knew me before I left and then sees me again when I get home would be the best ones to answer that question. I do know this though...I have learned that I’m still really good at writing bad haiku, I can go without internet and email for at least a few days, I don't miss TV all that much, not having oil or butter to cook with makes for limited menu options, being able to drink water straight from the tap without getting ill is such a joy (and is definitely a privilege), and it is true that the journey is more rewarding and interesting than the destination. Oh yes, and I think my sense of direction is slightly better than before. Mind you I'll still turn right when I should have gone left...so maybe it hasn't improved all that much. haha
Had an "exciting" evening of doing laundry. It was actually not so bad because there was a TV in there and some other people to chat with as well. We were watching some sort of Survivor type show with former winners and contestants of other Survivor type shows in Australia and New Zealand. Sure makes for good conversation starters with strangers.
Before I sign out I just wanted to give a shout out to all those that have sent positive comments and personal messages via my blog. I started the blog to update my family and friends on my whereabouts and what I've been up to. Plus it'll be great for the scrapbook(s)...you know the one that I'll one day put together. I never really thought others would read my blog too...from people asking questions about volunteering in Vietnam to fellow travelers to armchair travellers to an internet site in India! Nice to know someone is reading my ramblings and I'm not just typing away for no particular reason.
As for any negative feedback I've received (which really isn't that much). Whatever! I don't mean to offend anyone as I am just “reporting” stuff as I remember and perceive...
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