Farewell New Zealand: an intermediate summary

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I have been thinking for some days how can I summarize that wonderful time in New Zealand. First of all, I noted that I spent here 9.5 weeks… not at all like the movie, but also very exciting 9.5 weeks.
New Zealand has everything. The diversity is huge. I can’t even start summarizing, so you will have to read all my blog to know.
What happened to me here? It was an amazing journey, both in the country and into my own self. I had two wonderful partners. I started with Shiri, a very old friend (we were friends since we were 12). We had great conversations about our lives, catching up years that we didn’t have time to talk so much. I know she had influence one me, and I hope I had on her. I think we both improved ourselves.
And then I met Erez. That was simply a miracle - there’s no other way to put it. It’s hard to find a travel mate in the middle of the way, most people group in Christchurch or Auckland. It’s hard to find someone around my age and my budget, which dictates somewhat of a different travel compared to the young travelers at 22-23 years old. But it’s a miracle to find a true friend, someone who thinks like me about many things, someone who had amazing influence on me, someone who cared a lot and helped and made a lot of difference in this trip for me. We had our hard times - even with my ex-husband I never traveled for 6.5 weeks, being together 24/7 times these 6.5 weeks. But we knew how to overcome those difficulties, we were there for each other (at least he was there for me and I hope he feels the same), and we made a great trip together. Thank you for being there and being what you are, and thank you god for everything too!

Traveling here got me a lot closer to nature. I suddenly notice the birds, the clouds, the sunsets, and a lot more. I admire green hills as much as I enjoy snowy impressive peaks. I got closer to animals and enjoyed that (well, not the mouse we had in the hut in the Whanganui journey…). I noticed that the birds in NZ are less scared of people and I couldn’t help admiring the way the fly so close to us, they way they glide in the air. The clouds here are like nowhere else. I didn’t go crazy… they are simply like that. The views - well those I mentioned a few times. You cannot help it but take a deep breath and admire the creation around you. It doesn’t matter if you think it is God’s work or simply Nature - but you admire the work that happened here.
All the hikes taught me a lot about myself and my abilities, my courage and my strength (and revealed my weaknesses too). The Whanganui journey - 3 days in a canoe was some sort of a survival journey, which affected me in a way I simply lack the words to describe. I am glad I had the right partner for this journey, from all aspects and points of view. The Tongariro story broke me in a sense, but you find yourself stronger from every experience. Rafting, sky diving, Kayaking and all those adventures were small next to taking off my hiking boots and walking in the salty water of Abel Tasman park, knowing I will have to wear my socks on wet and sandy feet, with plenty of new sand flies bites… I have changed. And I am damn glad I have.

This is only an intermediate summary of my trip, as I am not going home yet. I wonder what the future plans for me. I thank my luck (and God even though I don’t believe in him) for giving me what I had so far.

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Comments

[anonymous]

thanks god
i feel the same about travelling with you - and i told you that more than once!!! i really surprised to see that you thank god but you cant use this if you write that you dont believe in him.... you take advantage of god name - this is not the right way for thanking god - !!!! - erez

[anonymous]

green
we are green with envy:) - yossi nagel

[Anat]

To Yossi
I like your original color, don't be green please!

[Anat]

To Erez
Why do you say I can't... you see that I jus did!

[anonymous]

You talked about changes - one major change I see is that you thanked god twice in this report, plus you mentioned him again regarding the wanders of nature...so I see quite a progress here (the last sentence you wrote has a major contradiction in it, so no one can really comment on that, I guess it reflects some kinf of a debate between your heart and your mind, but I'm sure you'll figure it out for yourself). anyway have a nice time and a happy PESACH. - Shirly - shirly

[Anat]

To Shirly
Just before you get confused (and maybe hopeful?), this god has nothing to do with religion for me, and certainly not with Judaism. I had pork and some sea food today :-) But it's too long to explain in a comment...

[deleted_2204]

honey
Reading this post was really different from all I read before. I enjpyed your writing and most of was really touched by the way you described this period. I hope you'll have great time in Aus and as much as I miss you, I hope you'll stay there till the end of july. Hugs, Brouria.