If I could sum up my week in one word that word would be political. Which for me is an odd word to use because I'm not into politics. I mean don't get me wrong I'm registered to vote and I can understand the importance, but for me the political system is to complex and filled with too much behind the scenes, under the table interactions for my taste. However nevertheless this week I met both the US New Zealand Ambassador and Britain's very own Prince Harry, never did I think I'd be saying either of those things back when I was dreaming about coming to New Zealand.
I met with the Ambassador first, it was on Tuesday and I had a received an email the previous week asking if I'd like to join him for coffee and biscuits. I didn't have class at the time so I thought it would be interesting and it certainly was an experience. I let another US abroad student know and we went to meet him together. We were meeting him in a block neither of us had been to and it ended up being a faculty hangout area so it was a bit awkward trying to fit into the atmosphere. Upon us walking into the block a women approached us asking "Is that an American accent?" Of course we said yes so she said "Perfect I'll take you where you need to be."
She asked us if we wanted coffee and I'm not really a coffee drinker but it was free and I figured maybe I'd like it so I ordered a flat white... I'm sure it was good, it definitely looked good but I took one sip and I reaffirmed my dislike for coffee. Anyway though while we waited for the Ambassador to come we just hangout at a table and in which case a women approached us to see who we were and she let us know it wasn't a public place but that since we were there to meet someone it was ok. So when the Ambassador... Well actually I'll give you some background first because I don't just like saying the Ambassador. His name is Mark Gilbert, a very friendly man. He was just sworn in in February and has been in New Zealand for nearly three months and before his political career he was a professional Baseball player. I think he's the first Baseball player turned politician. He was nice and he asked us the typical what are you studying, how long will be you here, what is your favorite part of NZ... I answered all the questions willingly. Oh I almost forgot the best part when he first came they were like grab your coffee and come over to the biscuits and since I wasn't really drinking my coffee it was rather full and so upon trying to walk over I split quite a bit of coffee and I almost split some on Gilbert's shoes.. Oops but it was all good, we snapped a quick picture and a reporter wrote down our names and that was that.
I met with the Ambassador first, it was on Tuesday and I had a received an email the previous week asking if I'd like to join him for coffee and biscuits. I didn't have class at the time so I thought it would be interesting and it certainly was an experience. I let another US abroad student know and we went to meet him together. We were meeting him in a block neither of us had been to and it ended up being a faculty hangout area so it was a bit awkward trying to fit into the atmosphere. Upon us walking into the block a women approached us asking "Is that an American accent?" Of course we said yes so she said "Perfect I'll take you where you need to be."
She asked us if we wanted coffee and I'm not really a coffee drinker but it was free and I figured maybe I'd like it so I ordered a flat white... I'm sure it was good, it definitely looked good but I took one sip and I reaffirmed my dislike for coffee. Anyway though while we waited for the Ambassador to come we just hangout at a table and in which case a women approached us to see who we were and she let us know it wasn't a public place but that since we were there to meet someone it was ok. So when the Ambassador... Well actually I'll give you some background first because I don't just like saying the Ambassador. His name is Mark Gilbert, a very friendly man. He was just sworn in in February and has been in New Zealand for nearly three months and before his political career he was a professional Baseball player. I think he's the first Baseball player turned politician. He was nice and he asked us the typical what are you studying, how long will be you here, what is your favorite part of NZ... I answered all the questions willingly. Oh I almost forgot the best part when he first came they were like grab your coffee and come over to the biscuits and since I wasn't really drinking my coffee it was rather full and so upon trying to walk over I split quite a bit of coffee and I almost split some on Gilbert's shoes.. Oops but it was all good, we snapped a quick picture and a reporter wrote down our names and that was that.
Now before I talk about my second political part of my week I'll talk about my most beautiful Friday. The weather was gorgeous and so I took advantage of it. I packed my book bag, camera and notebook for an adventure into the city. I ended up relaxing by the waterfront where I wrote this:
As I sit down by the water front on a gorgeous day in Wellington, I see so many people pass by and I think, "Man am I going to miss this." Honestly if I had to pick a favorite spot so far it would be right here. I can walk down and pop a seat just about anywhere and let myself be free to do anything. On a nice day the sun shines down on my face and I can be happy and smile with ease. It's so easy on a day like to soak up the sun and forget the rest of the world. It's so easy on a day like today to watch a Dad and his baby cycle by and forget all your worries. It's on a day like today you wish you weren't just studying aboard, but this was your actual life. Studying abroad is the biggest tease of my uni career so far. If I hadn't of took this leap of faith and traveled across the world I'd never of learned that how much of a capable independent person I have become. It's shown me there is a way to study outside the classroom, and those lessons can mean a lot more to a person. This experience is a tease because it has given me a sliver of life I may never get to live again. It's made me fall in love with a country and a city that might only become a beautiful memory in a short few months.
The next day which was Saturday I jumped on a ferry with Meg and Will and went to explore Somes Island. I went here last weekend to do volunteer work with IFSA and it was so beautiful, I'm really glad I got come back! The Island is just a short ferry ride from Wellington's waterfront. The Island itself is a nature reserve, perfect place to escape the city and to relax. We had practically the whole day to explore the little island and enough time to come across a few wild life species! Probably my least favorite and no offense but was the Weta which looks like a giant bug of some sort. I have an easy policy with bugs and insects, they don't touch me and I won't touch them. We can live happily together with no interactions. I saw a Kia, which is a magnificent green parrot, sadly it flew too fast for me to get a decent photo but I at least got to experience their beauty! We packed some adorable lunches for the day which we ate at the top of the island and breathed in the rather windy Wellington air. I even got some close encounters with some sheep on the Island, all in all a beautiful day to spend outdoors and exploring.
After we returned to mainland we headed over to where Prince Harry was going to be. He was coming to pay respects and lay a wreath at the newly built war memorial park, and to be honest I was expecting more people to come out. I guess I wasn't expecting a ton of people but I didn't think I'd be able to get a front row seat. It was rather relaxed too, he showed up in a car waved and then paid his respects and then he came around and said hello to most of all the people around, even shook hands with all those around :) It seemed like a very nice gesture and he was well received by the New Zealanders. Then he jumped back in his car and it was said he was heading to the rugby game that night. You can't help but wonder what the life of Prince Harry is like, for example does he have a favorite brand of jam, or does he even know what jam brand he's eating, or better yet does he get to spread the jam himself or is it pre-spread for him? These are hard hitting questions my friends! Questions that may never be answered, but one can only guess. Anyway, yeah never did I think I'd be rubbing noses with the Prince of England, but when you're having a kiwi adventure you never really know! The night though just throwing it out their I went to the Satay Palace for dinner, oh yummy! I had this sweet and sour chicken, oh man! Adding it to the list of places I'd go back if given the chance!
After we returned to mainland we headed over to where Prince Harry was going to be. He was coming to pay respects and lay a wreath at the newly built war memorial park, and to be honest I was expecting more people to come out. I guess I wasn't expecting a ton of people but I didn't think I'd be able to get a front row seat. It was rather relaxed too, he showed up in a car waved and then paid his respects and then he came around and said hello to most of all the people around, even shook hands with all those around :) It seemed like a very nice gesture and he was well received by the New Zealanders. Then he jumped back in his car and it was said he was heading to the rugby game that night. You can't help but wonder what the life of Prince Harry is like, for example does he have a favorite brand of jam, or does he even know what jam brand he's eating, or better yet does he get to spread the jam himself or is it pre-spread for him? These are hard hitting questions my friends! Questions that may never be answered, but one can only guess. Anyway, yeah never did I think I'd be rubbing noses with the Prince of England, but when you're having a kiwi adventure you never really know! The night though just throwing it out their I went to the Satay Palace for dinner, oh yummy! I had this sweet and sour chicken, oh man! Adding it to the list of places I'd go back if given the chance!