I can’t believe that I’ve only been in this country for six days so far. I feel like so much has happened and I’ve had so many new experiences. I became acquainted with my study abroad group in Auckland last Monday evening (after exploring Auckland with a few members of my group who arrived early) as we enjoyed a Mexican meal out. I, thinking I wouldn’t have Mexican food in New Zealand, had Mexican food four days in a row before I left the states. My group is an eclectic group of individuals from all over the United States, and one from China who are all generally studying Environmental Studies with varying concentrations (There are 16 of us total). We spent Tuesday beginning our introduction to New Zealand and learning some Maori traditions. One of which included learning a “Hongi” where you touch your nose to another persons nose as you ‘breath life into the other person’. I, being clumsy, was the demonstration and accidentally head-butted one of our teachers…whoops. We then ventured to a beautiful beach called Karekare on the west coast of Auckland and enjoyed a relaxing afternoon walking around and exploring and a few of us spontaneously jumped into the ocean.
          Wednesday we left the bustling city and headed for the Waharau Reserve(which is near Thames) a little south of Auckland on the coast. We spent the rest of the week having lectures on Maori history and New Zealand ecology in the mornings, afternoons, and evenings, as well as learning traditional Maori songs, which we would sing to our various guests throughout the week. We spent our free time exploring the maze of trails behind our cabins, walking down to the water, and going on runs along the coast. We have attempted many times to watch Lord of the Rings since it was filmed here, however due to jetlag and our packed days I don’t think I’ve lasted longer than 20 minutes into any film.

We also took a fun side day-trip on Saturday to Thames, which is an established town close by. We explored a hopping farmers market in the morning set up in front of shops on the main road, followed by a lecture from a guest speaker named Catherine, who is a member of the Green Team parliament in New Zealand and who has participated in various conservation peaceful protests. We also got to participate in a wonderful Maori tree plating tradition for one of our professors father’s who recently passed away. It involved everyone in our group holding a piece of dirt in their left hand, because the Maori believe that the left half of the body is the ‘loving side’. Peter, our professor, and his two siblings who were also present held the dirt in their right hand because the right side of the body is the side that likes to ‘hold on’. We all released the dirt from our right hand on the new tree’s bed, as our dirt symbolized reaching out and supporting Peter and his siblings through this difficult time, while Peter and his siblings release of dirt onto the new tree symbolized becoming at peace with their father’s passing. It was a beautiful ceremony and it really felt special to be a part of it. On another note, that night we all ventured to a local sports pub in Thames and watched the All Blacks defeat Argentina as we hung out with the local rugby club, which consisted of old men past their prime who still enjoyed playing for the thrill of the sport. As a rugby player, it was really fun to be amidst others who understood the sport and were as invested as I was in each play.

Thus far, the beauty of this country has amazed me, as well as all of the wonderful people we have met. Tomorrow we are traveling to Cambridge where we’ll hear from more individuals involved in the government and learn more about agriculture in New Zealand, especially dairy farming. Throughout the next four weeks, we’ll be visiting Cambridge, Raglan, Lake Taupo, Turangi, Mt. Ruapehu, Whakapapa Tongariro National Park, Whanganui, and Palmerston North before our spring break (when I hope to visit the South Island) and our eight week homestay in Wellington.