Since we are now home please note: if you were planning to break into our house and take stuff (you would be disappointed unless you are into cat hair and books on prison reform), go with your plan B and take a nap or a shower instead.
We are happy to be back in the land of wireless internet, wash cloths, watermelons (the fruit) and water parks. The trip to New Zealand was terrific. Our time there was not long enough because the longer we spent exploring, the more we wanted to do. We returned with some good pictures, a few souvenirs, one cold, and one less cell phone than when we left Austin last month. I have NO IDEA where my cell phone is but I am certain it fell out somewhere in New Zealand. If you've tried to call, I'm so sorry I haven't gotten back to you. Shoot me an e-mail because I'd love to hear from you.
The contrasts between the U.S. and New Zealand were both subtle and stark. Based on the Customs inspections, it is clear that Kiwis prioritize environmental contamination prevention FAR more than counterterrorism. We didn't even have to show IDs on our domestic flights. The security screening we went through didn't require the removal of shoes, pants, or my gold grill, etc. Hooray!
Another political/cultural difference between N.Z. and the U.S. is that there were very few people living in extreme poverty or sub-standard housing. In fact, on our return flight I overheard an Air New Zealand flight attendant warning fellow New Zealanders (and first-time visitors to the U.S.) that there are "about ten homeless people on every block" in San Francisco and that "they can been seen in the clear light of day!" The flight attendant then went on to recommend the visitors seek out a "really smart" store called "WAL-MART" for its great selection of jeans and athletic socks at really cheap prices. I pretty much had to sit in my seat with two hands over my mouth in order to prevent some sort of outburst. Perhaps there is a connection between copious amounts of cheaply produced stuff we don't need and widespread poverty? One of the reasons New Zealand was such a delightful place to visit was because it did not have "really smart" stores like Wal-Mart or the same culture of stuff.
Now for some pictures!
The Southern Alps
Mom, me, and Jeremy at the Arts Centre in Christchurch
Christchurch had a very British feel to it
Three doctors, one nurse, a dolphin trainer and a penguin walk into a bar...
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