Danielle, Indigo and Kerry take leave from Los Angeles to travel the globe and seek out possible places to settle in the future. We're casting for a place to settle in for a while - and it has to have good schools for Indigo, who will be starting kindergarden next September.
Friday, October 31, 2003
Our third hosts, Peter and Barbara, were longtime Servas members who had raised two children, with Servas guests vistiting frequently. Their daughter Nathalie (now 18) commented on how she had learned so much over the years from their various guests (such as authentic pizza making from a visitor from Italy). We marveled at how kind and well adjusted Nathalie was; she was simply a joy to be around. I must admit that meeting her strengthened my resolve to raise Indigo overseas (at least in part). The entire family was incredibly warm, and made us feel especially welcome. Before we departed they visited their backyard grapefruit tree and filled several bags for us to take on our journey.
Our fourth host, Margaret, gave us a wonderful experience in rural New Zealand farm life. We watched calves being wresled, fed the pigs, and ate food fresh from the farm. Margaret was a tough, gutsy, kindhearted woman who kept the farm going singlehandedly since her husband's death. It seemed to run in the family, as Margaret had a relative who had lost her husband at age 28, and was the mother to seven children at the time. This woman bought a fishing boat, brought her seven children on board, and made a living commercial fishing.So our farm experience was rich with stories as well as animals. But I must mention that the animal Indigo liked best was not a wild animal, but a friendly cat named Whiskers, who actually let Indigo pet him. Indigo had been feeling rather rejected by the myriad of felines who refused to let her pet them, and sometimes even hissed at her. She was simply delighted to meet a cat that didn't mind being petted by a four year old.
Our fifth host, Trevor, was a delightful man who lived in an immaculate cottage by the sea. He was 78, but did not seem a day over 60. Quite an inspiration. He played flawless piano by night and taught computer profiency to seniors by day. Must be good living and the clean New Zealand air.
Our sixth hosts, Ruth and Rueben, were avid gardeners who shared their lush gardens with us. In addition, they shared an old housecoat with Indigo, that Kerry promptly turned into a halloween costume. It was multi-color with deep blue, and made quite a nice butterfly suit. The suit was pinned together, and antennas made from a coat hanger completed the outfit. The icing on the cake was the Christmas ornaments our hosts donated to top off the antennas. They then snuck a couple of pieces of candy up to Rueben's sister (whose house was just up the hill) so that Indigo could have a positive first trick-or-treating experience in New Zealand.
Our fourth host, Margaret, gave us a wonderful experience in rural New Zealand farm life. We watched calves being wresled, fed the pigs, and ate food fresh from the farm. Margaret was a tough, gutsy, kindhearted woman who kept the farm going singlehandedly since her husband's death. It seemed to run in the family, as Margaret had a relative who had lost her husband at age 28, and was the mother to seven children at the time. This woman bought a fishing boat, brought her seven children on board, and made a living commercial fishing.So our farm experience was rich with stories as well as animals. But I must mention that the animal Indigo liked best was not a wild animal, but a friendly cat named Whiskers, who actually let Indigo pet him. Indigo had been feeling rather rejected by the myriad of felines who refused to let her pet them, and sometimes even hissed at her. She was simply delighted to meet a cat that didn't mind being petted by a four year old.
Our fifth host, Trevor, was a delightful man who lived in an immaculate cottage by the sea. He was 78, but did not seem a day over 60. Quite an inspiration. He played flawless piano by night and taught computer profiency to seniors by day. Must be good living and the clean New Zealand air.
Our sixth hosts, Ruth and Rueben, were avid gardeners who shared their lush gardens with us. In addition, they shared an old housecoat with Indigo, that Kerry promptly turned into a halloween costume. It was multi-color with deep blue, and made quite a nice butterfly suit. The suit was pinned together, and antennas made from a coat hanger completed the outfit. The icing on the cake was the Christmas ornaments our hosts donated to top off the antennas. They then snuck a couple of pieces of candy up to Rueben's sister (whose house was just up the hill) so that Indigo could have a positive first trick-or-treating experience in New Zealand.
Thursday, October 30, 2003
(Danielle writing here)
Servas revolutionized our trip.
It may sound funny to say, but it really is true. Servas has directly influenced the places we've seen, the places we've stayed, and the people we've met. What we've found is that it is really all about the people (but isn't it always?).
A little bit about our wonderful New Zealand hosts:
Our very first hosts, Bryan and Penny, gave us a warm welcome to New Zealand. They lived in Devonport (just a short ferry ride from downtown Auckland) in a beautiful home with big windows, overlooking the sea. They had a lush backyard with stairs directly to the ocean. But the best part of all were the tiny baby snails in the backyard that Indigo delighted in collecting and holding. Indigo took an instant liking to Bryan (a big kid himself) and they explored, at length, all the things in a backyard that a kid would find fascinating. At one point (when we were busy and putting her off) Bryan even painted her fingernails and toenails for her. Indigo said she never wanted to leave.
Our second hosts, Leon and Isabel, greeted us with one of the best meals we've ever eaten--freshly caught smoked trout (by Leon) garlic butter and parsely mussels, avacado salad--yumm! The conversation was wonderful as well. A common theme we've found among our hosts (and the people we've met in general) is a combination of disbelief/distain/dismay that George W. Bush somehow assumed the highest office in the most powerful country in the world. Invariably, they want to know our opinion on how this could have happened. All we can say is that we believe (and hope) that the tides in the USA are shifting. The American people have been wisening up.
Servas revolutionized our trip.
It may sound funny to say, but it really is true. Servas has directly influenced the places we've seen, the places we've stayed, and the people we've met. What we've found is that it is really all about the people (but isn't it always?).
A little bit about our wonderful New Zealand hosts:
Our very first hosts, Bryan and Penny, gave us a warm welcome to New Zealand. They lived in Devonport (just a short ferry ride from downtown Auckland) in a beautiful home with big windows, overlooking the sea. They had a lush backyard with stairs directly to the ocean. But the best part of all were the tiny baby snails in the backyard that Indigo delighted in collecting and holding. Indigo took an instant liking to Bryan (a big kid himself) and they explored, at length, all the things in a backyard that a kid would find fascinating. At one point (when we were busy and putting her off) Bryan even painted her fingernails and toenails for her. Indigo said she never wanted to leave.
Our second hosts, Leon and Isabel, greeted us with one of the best meals we've ever eaten--freshly caught smoked trout (by Leon) garlic butter and parsely mussels, avacado salad--yumm! The conversation was wonderful as well. A common theme we've found among our hosts (and the people we've met in general) is a combination of disbelief/distain/dismay that George W. Bush somehow assumed the highest office in the most powerful country in the world. Invariably, they want to know our opinion on how this could have happened. All we can say is that we believe (and hope) that the tides in the USA are shifting. The American people have been wisening up.
Wednesday, October 29, 2003
We've been internet-less for all intents and purposes for the last couple days since we were staying way up north on an isolated NZ farm. It was a great drive up to the top of the north island culminating with our visit to 90 Mile Beach on the west side of the island. Beautiful sand for literally 50 miles. The day before, they had seen championship land yacht racing where sleek three wheeled vehicles with foil sails fly over the sand at speeds approaching 100km/h. Our borrowed Camry topped it, but we did it by burning up dead dinosaurs.
We had an eight hour drive from the far north today to a nice seaside town called Ohope Beach on the north shore. Tomorrow, we'll explore Tauranga, which we've heard might be a place worth investigating.
Our Servas hosts have been wonderful (I'll let Danielle fill you in here). They've made the trip a completely different experience than it would have been otherwise. It is so nice to hear from people who actually inhabit an area about it's history.
Tried the award winning, world famous fish and chips from Mangonui yesterday. Very good and very nice setting, but not quite up to Bampton, England's standards in my view. The global search for the best fish and chips continues.
We had an eight hour drive from the far north today to a nice seaside town called Ohope Beach on the north shore. Tomorrow, we'll explore Tauranga, which we've heard might be a place worth investigating.
Our Servas hosts have been wonderful (I'll let Danielle fill you in here). They've made the trip a completely different experience than it would have been otherwise. It is so nice to hear from people who actually inhabit an area about it's history.
Tried the award winning, world famous fish and chips from Mangonui yesterday. Very good and very nice setting, but not quite up to Bampton, England's standards in my view. The global search for the best fish and chips continues.
Sunday, October 26, 2003
Link to photo album number two. (this time hosted with imagestation.com)
Well the Morgan house is aflutter right now. (our current Servas hosts) Samoa is beating England 13-16 at the half in the Rugby World Cup happening right now in Australia. They are huge All Black fans and hoping to see tiny Samoa pull off the upset of the century and defeat the overpaid English crew lead by the nefarious Johnny Wilkinson. Nathalie, the 18 year old daughter is especially into the game, with mother Barbara and fther Peter equally enthusiastic. Very fun stuff to see from the front line - the fanatical rugby followers, that is.
We've been doing planning for the remainder of our NZ stay in the car today. Got it pretty much laid out nicely with only a few more details to work out. Thank God for the Internet and cell phones. We'll certainly be undertaking a whirlwind tour of this lovely country - with a few good shots of adrenaline worked in with some good Kiwi adventure sport.
We've been doing planning for the remainder of our NZ stay in the car today. Got it pretty much laid out nicely with only a few more details to work out. Thank God for the Internet and cell phones. We'll certainly be undertaking a whirlwind tour of this lovely country - with a few good shots of adrenaline worked in with some good Kiwi adventure sport.
(Danielle writing here) Today we visited hot water beach--what a trip. Everyday at low tide New Zealanders come from far and wide, shovels in hand. They dig holes just a bit above the tidal line, and soak up the hot water that seeps from the springs below. Indigo loved it.
It's spring in New Zealand but the air is still quite cold. So the hot water is great--unless you are at the center of it (where it is literally scalding). We sat just outside the center and watched many people inadvertently step in the water and hop out just as quickly (some mumbling expletives under their breath).
A few quick observations: The hills are as green and lush as the photos (and dotted with sheep, of course). Rocks at the beach are a greenish color, and are covered in patches with tiny black mussels that make them look like a perfect army camoflage garment. The air is brisk, but the sun is extremely hot, a very strange combination (and due to the hole in the ozone layer, we've been told). Streets are not marked in Auckland; it's very easy to get lost. In some places the ocean is the clear light green color one would expect to find in the Caribbean. Children (and sometimes adults) frequently go barefoot. The people really are as friendly as you've heard.
It's spring in New Zealand but the air is still quite cold. So the hot water is great--unless you are at the center of it (where it is literally scalding). We sat just outside the center and watched many people inadvertently step in the water and hop out just as quickly (some mumbling expletives under their breath).
A few quick observations: The hills are as green and lush as the photos (and dotted with sheep, of course). Rocks at the beach are a greenish color, and are covered in patches with tiny black mussels that make them look like a perfect army camoflage garment. The air is brisk, but the sun is extremely hot, a very strange combination (and due to the hole in the ozone layer, we've been told). Streets are not marked in Auckland; it's very easy to get lost. In some places the ocean is the clear light green color one would expect to find in the Caribbean. Children (and sometimes adults) frequently go barefoot. The people really are as friendly as you've heard.
Thursday, October 23, 2003
Thus far, our trip has been very nice indeed. We've been staying with Servas (originally founded by the Quakers) hosts up to this point and so far have had wonderful experiences with both our host families. The way the organization works is that once you've registered and completed your interviews, you have the right to purchase books from a particular country that list the contact information and pertinent hosting information for each place. Then, you have the option to contact any of the hosts (arranged geographically) and ask to stay for TWO nights (one night = too short to get to know people, 3+ nights = a bit of an imposition). People are free to either invite you into their homes, or say no for any reason. New Zealand is a very good Servas country (high percentage of hosts to population).
Bryan and Penny our first hosts live on the North Shore of Auckland in a seaside town called Devonport. Their house is on a small cliff with stairs in the back yard that go directly down to the sea. We had some lively discussions with them as they were curious about our worldview and us theirs. Our room was very comfortable with lovely a lovely down duvet and luxurious pillows. Getting to know a country by staying with its inhabitants, rather than in a hotel, is much easier. Sharing a meal and chatting with Kiwis (even though Bryan is a Brit masquerading as a New Zealander) is a real pleasure. Indigo took to Bryan, since he is basically a big kid at heart, and followed him around everywhere. He took her into the backyard to find snails and even volunteered to paint her nails while Daneille and I put her off as we were looking at some of their pictures from a recent trip to Central America.
We also managed to spend some time with a (somewhat distant) cousin of mine and his family. Karim Hussona married Erica, a New Zealander and now has three children ranging in age from one to five. Indigo fits right in with them. Karim's mother, Sheila, is staying with them at the moment, so their quarters are very tight with the three kids - especially with 5 year old Lucy and 3 year old Tommy doing battle daily. Our discussions with them during a lovely Persian style meal revolved around the differences between living in the States and NZ. Our conclusion is that they actually pay LESS tax than many Americans, yet receive incredible benefits that we've been forking over thousands of dollars a year for in the States. There are many reasons for this including ludicrous medical costs (insurance, drugs, malpractice, etc.), an out of control legal system where everyone sues everyone, disproportionate rewards and benefits going to the few, etc. All of these are things to take into consideration when we make a decision about where to settle in once Indigo reaches school age.
We took in Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World today, which is a huge aquarium complex that was built in huge old sewage treatment tanks. They've a really nice penguin exhibit and a huge tank with plexiglass tunnels we could walk through that essentially put us INSIDE the tank. We timed our visit well and got to watch the divers feed the fish, huge (500lb +) sting rays and the sharks by hand. What a fun job that must be.
We've also spent a good bit of time wandering around town ourselves, checking out the marina areas, riding the ferry from Devonport and eating a lovely, scenic lunch in the new (semi-controversial) SkyTower. Our trip is coming into better focus and we've been making choices on how to fit about two month's worth of activities into 30 days.
Indigo has been a pleasure on the trip and I think she is enjoying seeing all the different environments. People respond playfully to her here and that serves to ignite her social fun side. Our driving, which will be considerable, will be broken up into manageable segments, so she should be okay with that as well. As usual, Dodee her monkey, has been of great comfort to her - as have her trusty blue cot and teddy bear blanket, which we've carted from home and set up at each place we stay.
I think I'm going to have to start being less information-oriented on these posts in order to make them more entertaining and readable, so bear with me if I go off on some topics in future posts.
We're with another host family tonight that belong to the rare group of Kiwis with a FAST computer network in their house. This is a luxury that even cousin Karim (whose company IS an ISP) does not have at home. This is giving me the opportunity to download the photos we've taken thus far, though it is past midnight here and I'm about 30% of the way through the 170-odd photos I've got to purge from my camera. My trusty imagestation.com is strangely inaccessible at the moment, so I've resorted to posting them on snapfish.com right now. I'll post a link tomorrow when I know what it is.
So, goodnight from Birkenhead, NZ.
Bryan and Penny our first hosts live on the North Shore of Auckland in a seaside town called Devonport. Their house is on a small cliff with stairs in the back yard that go directly down to the sea. We had some lively discussions with them as they were curious about our worldview and us theirs. Our room was very comfortable with lovely a lovely down duvet and luxurious pillows. Getting to know a country by staying with its inhabitants, rather than in a hotel, is much easier. Sharing a meal and chatting with Kiwis (even though Bryan is a Brit masquerading as a New Zealander) is a real pleasure. Indigo took to Bryan, since he is basically a big kid at heart, and followed him around everywhere. He took her into the backyard to find snails and even volunteered to paint her nails while Daneille and I put her off as we were looking at some of their pictures from a recent trip to Central America.
We also managed to spend some time with a (somewhat distant) cousin of mine and his family. Karim Hussona married Erica, a New Zealander and now has three children ranging in age from one to five. Indigo fits right in with them. Karim's mother, Sheila, is staying with them at the moment, so their quarters are very tight with the three kids - especially with 5 year old Lucy and 3 year old Tommy doing battle daily. Our discussions with them during a lovely Persian style meal revolved around the differences between living in the States and NZ. Our conclusion is that they actually pay LESS tax than many Americans, yet receive incredible benefits that we've been forking over thousands of dollars a year for in the States. There are many reasons for this including ludicrous medical costs (insurance, drugs, malpractice, etc.), an out of control legal system where everyone sues everyone, disproportionate rewards and benefits going to the few, etc. All of these are things to take into consideration when we make a decision about where to settle in once Indigo reaches school age.
We took in Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World today, which is a huge aquarium complex that was built in huge old sewage treatment tanks. They've a really nice penguin exhibit and a huge tank with plexiglass tunnels we could walk through that essentially put us INSIDE the tank. We timed our visit well and got to watch the divers feed the fish, huge (500lb +) sting rays and the sharks by hand. What a fun job that must be.
We've also spent a good bit of time wandering around town ourselves, checking out the marina areas, riding the ferry from Devonport and eating a lovely, scenic lunch in the new (semi-controversial) SkyTower. Our trip is coming into better focus and we've been making choices on how to fit about two month's worth of activities into 30 days.
Indigo has been a pleasure on the trip and I think she is enjoying seeing all the different environments. People respond playfully to her here and that serves to ignite her social fun side. Our driving, which will be considerable, will be broken up into manageable segments, so she should be okay with that as well. As usual, Dodee her monkey, has been of great comfort to her - as have her trusty blue cot and teddy bear blanket, which we've carted from home and set up at each place we stay.
I think I'm going to have to start being less information-oriented on these posts in order to make them more entertaining and readable, so bear with me if I go off on some topics in future posts.
We're with another host family tonight that belong to the rare group of Kiwis with a FAST computer network in their house. This is a luxury that even cousin Karim (whose company IS an ISP) does not have at home. This is giving me the opportunity to download the photos we've taken thus far, though it is past midnight here and I'm about 30% of the way through the 170-odd photos I've got to purge from my camera. My trusty imagestation.com is strangely inaccessible at the moment, so I've resorted to posting them on snapfish.com right now. I'll post a link tomorrow when I know what it is.
So, goodnight from Birkenhead, NZ.
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
(Danielle writing here) We got to LAX an hour and a half before our flight was due to leave, and spent the entire time standing in lines (one line after another, stretched seemingly into eternity). It was nothing short of chaos (massive crowding, line cutting, etc). They seemed to be taking a lot more time to move people through security, insisting that pilots and old ladies remove their shoes. Oddly enough, we didn't feel any safter.
Auckland was the exact opposite. The airport was breezy and uncrowded. We were released into the general airport population before clearing customs (as opposed to being shuttled through a maze of white hospital-like corridors in the US). Customs was fast, efficient and friendly. A sign greeted newcomers with "A Warm Welcome to New Zealand," demonstrated by a table set up to provide free coffee and tea to all passengers clearing customs.
Auckland was the exact opposite. The airport was breezy and uncrowded. We were released into the general airport population before clearing customs (as opposed to being shuttled through a maze of white hospital-like corridors in the US). Customs was fast, efficient and friendly. A sign greeted newcomers with "A Warm Welcome to New Zealand," demonstrated by a table set up to provide free coffee and tea to all passengers clearing customs.
Let me start by telling you that the windshield wipers on our car are getting a good workout. Not only that, but the weather has been amazing the two full days we've been here. So, why the wiper workout? Simple: I've been very consciencious about driving while here since it is a drive on the left, steering wheel on the right kind of country, and I always use my turn signals. Problem is that the turn signals and windshield wipers are reversed on the Toyota Camry we're using. Shifting gears on the manual tranny with the right hand? Easy. Trying to adjust to the turn signal on the right side of the steering wheel? Impossible.
Saturday, October 18, 2003
Most recent photo album from prior to departure (testing linking capability)
[IMG]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid83/p4ffade5905cacac099b2953346173c27/fadea651.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid83/p4ffade5905cacac099b2953346173c27/fadea651.jpg[/IMG]
October 18th - Last day before D-Day (Departure Day) - Danielle's Birthday!
We're in San Diego at the moment visiting Danielle's Grandfather Bob and Aunt Clara. We are all hanging out at the rockin' retirement center, Fredericka Manor! Indigo it a hit around these parts, let me tell you. Her Grandma Bonnie is also visiting from Albuquerque for a couple days to catch us before we go.
I've had a number of people ask to be included on the trip Update/Photo list, so I'm going to see how publishing via this blog works for a while. Pictures, I'll have to work out later - either by sending the traditional links to imagestation.com or imbedding them in the text on the web log.
Right now, everything is experimental, so we'll see how things develop.
In the meantime, you can reach me easiest through my email address - kward@qupeople.com
Taking Danielle out to the movie of her choice to celebrate tonight (guess I'm in for it, eh). Wonderland, here we come!
We're in San Diego at the moment visiting Danielle's Grandfather Bob and Aunt Clara. We are all hanging out at the rockin' retirement center, Fredericka Manor! Indigo it a hit around these parts, let me tell you. Her Grandma Bonnie is also visiting from Albuquerque for a couple days to catch us before we go.
I've had a number of people ask to be included on the trip Update/Photo list, so I'm going to see how publishing via this blog works for a while. Pictures, I'll have to work out later - either by sending the traditional links to imagestation.com or imbedding them in the text on the web log.
Right now, everything is experimental, so we'll see how things develop.
In the meantime, you can reach me easiest through my email address - kward@qupeople.com
Taking Danielle out to the movie of her choice to celebrate tonight (guess I'm in for it, eh). Wonderland, here we come!
