Blogs from Wellington, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 122

I just finished my first Maori Culture Hour experience. It took place in the meeting house, I forgot the real Maori word for it (Wharenui ?). But we learned a basic Maori dance and learned part of a song that is sang during the Maori welcoming ceremony. The gathering of tribes is the ceremony and it is called a Powhiri. One week ago the class, MAOR 123 experienced a Powhiri on the edge of campus right outside the meeting house, Wharenui. It was a much lower key Powhiri than what occured up in Rotorua when I was chief, becuase then the Maoris performed a Haka Powhiri, which basically means that they show off thier skills with weapons right infront of the foreign chief, which was me. A Haka Powhiri is also usually performed when one ... read more

So tomorrow didn't quite come and I'm now updating at 11:06pm on Monday, July 11. I meant to add entries yesterday, but I was more exhausted than I thought. Didn't find the time. OK I'm lying...it was Kelly's roommate's birthday and we stayed drunk. I'm only slightly ashamed, so quit shaking your head. And yes I admit I've had half a bottle in the last hour...grrr, damn this country and their grape nectar!!! While I'm on the subject though, I did find out some good news today. Sara and I were under the impression that we could only bring back 6 bottles of wine. According to the US customs website, travellers are allowed to bring back as much alcohol as they like besides absinthe, the only kink being that the first bottle is the only one ... read more

The 3rd Test was on. The ABs were predicted to kick ass a 3rd time. I went to a bar called Shooters with Dixie, Kim, Kristen, Adam, Andy, and Jared. We watched the game on a big plasma tv in the bar packed with fans. It was estimated that between 20,000 and 25,000 Lions fans were in Wellington for the 2nd game, now there were less. The ABs were weaker because many of the normal starters were not playing due to injury or other reasons. During the game I bumped into my Maori Society and Culture professor, Dennis. He is a really cool Maori gentleman. The 3rd test was in Auckland and the ABs were in control, winning 38-19. These last 3 games have been huge here. The All Blacks' rugby games are as big ... read more

Quitenote: The rugby tournement night turned out to be the biggest party the country has seen in 30 years. Not a whole lot to add as of yet, but just thought I'd write a short bit while I'm waiting here. Kelly just went to get the rented car and we're about to take out towards the Hawks Bay region to a town called Napier. We celebrated the fourth of July as best we could yesterday (we're one day ahead of you guys). There's only one American pub here and it's called Chicago's. But...staying true to American tradition on the 4th, IT WAS CLOSED. So we settled for an Irish place that had cheap beer. It's really weird...besides myself, Kelly and Sara, I havn't seen one single American. I'm actually pretty jealous of all the people I ... read more

Some quicknotes before I get started: NZ pizza is really good, even Dominoes and Pizza hut. I normally hate that stuff but the sauce isn't the same at all. Since made with NZ tomatoes, its much much sweeter, similar to barbeque sauce. - TV isn't censored and commercials are HILARIOUS...very sexual though. - age is really hard to judge here. almost everyone is either really attractive or at least interesting enough, and all look young. - there's a 3 to 1 girl to guy ratio. I'm in an epidemic of supermodels here. God help me...I may never come back ;-) Blah. Haven't done much today. Last night was the big All Blacks match, and almost everyone celebrated a bit too hard. They won of course :-) I wish I had pictures to show everyone...these people are ... read more