A reprieve from the wind, Leonard Cohen, Route 1

Going North & Other Tidbits

By noon on Monday, January 4th and a local holiday, we had packed ourselves, the dogs and some snacks into Bubbles and were heading north! The skies were blue, the air pleasantly crisp and the winds non existent. With Leonard Cohen playing through the radio, we headed up Route 1, the main route north, toward new places.

Initially the sights were typical - residential and commercial centers with houses built into thickly forested hillsides. Then, within the hour, my vision was blasted open by the sight of sheep and cows grazing on acre after acre of green pasture. This is not to say that the views from David and Dineli's home aren't lovely; they are. There is a certain delight in the clutter of corrugated roof tops that greet us from the windows and decks - orange, line green, brown and grey, red and sky blue, baby blue, marine blue andmore! However, the green hills functioned as a natural tranquilizer and fed places in my spirit that craves openness. I breathed more deeply and my body sank into the seat as we trudged northward.

We drove, much like many of our families did when we were young and gas was about $.19 per gallon. Driving then stopping at interesting places. Our first stop was at a lazy old town that had become a store front outlet center and where I bought a paua shell ring. (Paua is a blue/green shell found only in New Zealand.) Next stop was a neighborhood bar where a sign invited us to join the local darts club - a big match was coming up and they needed to add to their team. Here we had tea and L & P ( a New Zealand soda). Lastly, as the winds began to whip, we stopped at McDonald's and stuffed ourselves with french fries on the ride homeward. (they are stilled called french fries at the Golden Arches - not chips.)

Bits and Pieces

Shortly after Kamini and I arrived, we set out for a walk in the neighborhood - to get our bearings. And after a few short blocks we ended up at the Wellington Zoo. We decided that it would be a good way to spent the next few hours and paid the price of admission

( $13.00 for seniors, ugh!) and headed off with a zoo map.

Like the Baltimore Zoo, there were no real cages; all exhibits have been naturalized. The zoo was very clean, inviting, informative and enchanting - mainly due to Tanya, at left, a zoo volunteer who became our personal guide.

.

We attended a talk on the resident Kiwi and animal medical car, which broke our hearts and at the same time cheered our spirits! He or she had been caught in a trap and as a result, needed to have one leg amputated.

The Zoo's mission statement includes: "What can we do to make each animals life better?" (paraphrased) Hence they enlisted the help of protheses specialist and over the next three months, they created the perfect match. But nature had a different mind. By the time the device was created and tinkered with to make perfect, the Kiwi had adapted to hopping on one leg, wholly rejecting the new one.

The Mercat! (pictured at left) particularly caught my attention. These charming little critters live in packs comprised of male, female and offspring. Initially I noticed the animals, maybe twice the size of a squirrel, moving the containment engaged in various degrees of activity - eating, playing, or sleeping. However it takes only a minute or two to sight a lone male "on duty," This is a rotated duty among the males. This delighted me! Sometimes I think I'd be perfect for communal living where we would embrace the notion that it does take a village!

The Reading Theatre

New Year's Eve took us to the Reading Theatre, a multiplex, in the heart of Wellington. Here we separated and saw different movies. Kamini and I, not science fiction fans, chose The Lovely Bones and David and d (Dineli prefers the use of the lower case) took in Avatar, complete with 'three d' glasses. Afterwards we strolled through the quaint town center, moving between small bands of local musicians and Kiwis celebrating the coming year - at outdoor tables - until we found a small Indian restaurant where we shared delicious food - indoors!

While Walking

New Zealand is known for its friendliness and this is easily evident when shopping or asking directions. During my visit sales clerks have suggested other stores where I could find a specific item that they didn't offer, and everyone, no exceptions, eagerly provides extensive directions. But don't expect a casual hello when you're out for a walk. You won't get it. Other walkers consistently avoid eye contact and do not respond to a a simple hello.

And while walking you will note the dog friendliness of Wellington. Here you'll find water fountains especially equipped for pets, dog parks and dog beaches like the one picture below. Sky and Emma, D & d's pets, (along with Shady Cat) never want for a place where Sky can run or swim. Emma, a beagle, must be on the lease at all times. She'd chased down any place where food might be had!

Enough for now.

Hope you're enjoying your warm home during the current freeze. Here space heaters take the place of central heating and these are used sparingly since energy costs are high.