Christchurch Cathedral

I got the job!

I know, that should be in allcaps and blinking, but it’s been a few days since I found out and I’ve calmed down a little. Im really looking forward to spending a few months in this city, saving up some money, and just being able to relax and enjoy my time in NZ.

Before I start, on May 11, Im heading south to Aoraki Mt. Cook for a few days, and then down to Queenstown. Ive a Milford Sound cruise booked, so Im completely stoked about my trip. Im not sure when I will be back yet, but I am aiming to be back in ChCh around May 6th.

As I dont have a lot of money right now, I wont be doing too many things that have a fee attached to them (read: almost none). The main purpose of this trip is to stare at some mountains for a while, get that out of my system. As I will be in the area for at least the next six months, I can go back and and do the expensive stuff once Ive a proper income again. Im meeting up with a German girl I met the other night in Mt Cook on Monday. The weather is calling for rain, but hopefully we’ll be ok as we’ve planned a couple of day hikes, and there really isnt that much else to do there besides tramping! After Aoraki (which is the largest mountain in NZ), I’ll head down to Queenstown. Considering it’s the adventure capital of the world, it seems kinda wrong that the most adventurous thing I will be doing is taking the Gondola up to the top of the mountain (where there’s also hiking trails and a kapa haka group — im hoping to ask where I can learn traditional poi). The Milford Sound trip heads out from Queenstown as well, and is the main reason Im even going to Q at all right now. After that, it’s back up to Christchurch and into my new life.

I cant believe I left Nelson only a week ago, it really does seem like it was another lifetime. In addition to getting the good news about the job, I finally got paid on some freelance work (hence the trip!) so have been spending some time picking up warm clothes for autumn. I still need to get a proper coat for winter, but that can wait till my first paycheque as it’s not really needed yet.

I’ve also spent some time flathunting, and found one that will work perfectly right across the street from the friend Im staying with. It’s a one-bedroom fully furnished flat: no roommates! With the income I will be making, I can afford to have my privacy again, and I can’t wait. Im DONE with sharing rooms and houses. The property manager is coming around later today for me to sign the papers, so when I get back from my travels, all I have to do is cross the street and move in. Easiest move ever!

Saturday was ANZAC Day, Barbara and I woke super early to join some of the CouchSurfers here for the dawn service. We were a bit late, so we watched from the sides then met up with them afterwards. It was very thought-provoking and moving: 10, 000 people gathered in the square to remember the sacrifices of the fallen. It made me wonder why we, as Canadians, dont make as big a deal out of our veterans and fallen? Craig (thats him playing in the photo) explained that it was considered so important because New Zealand had horrible sacrifices in WW1. That given the nation’s tiny population, they lost a disproportionate number of men and entire towns were decimated because all of their men were gone.

Canada lost over 60, 000 troops in that war and our population at the time was only 7 million (give or take). In WW2 we lost another 40, 000. While we are a larger nation than New Zealand, I think it’s pretty bad that we dont honour their sacrifices more than we do. I know that there is a massive gathering in Ottawa on Remembrance Day, and that there is a somewhat smaller one in Toronto at City Hall. Yet how can you go to it if it falls on a workday? I remember when November 11 was a statutory holiday, but today only civil servants and bank employees get the day off. Here in NZ, the law is that stores and businesses can not open before 1pm, giving people time to go and participate. It would be lovely for Canada to adopt a similar custom.

Later that morning was the civic service inside Christchurch Cathedral. The chuch is gracefull and serene, with unbelievable acoustics. There was a small brass band playing hymns and interludes during the service, and the above-mentioned Craig performed a song he wrote for the occasion. Speakers spoke in both English and Te Reo, as was the national anthem. God Save The Queen was also sung (which I proudly and happily sang, of course!) and since for some reason there is a Canadian flag hanging in one corner of the cathedral, I kept my eye on it for a goodly portion of the service.

ChCh has a rather lively and active CouchSurfing community, and in the past week alone Ive been out to three gatherings (two pub nights along with the ANZAC day events), and am looking forward to more to come. There seems to always be something going on here, and while it isnt as lovely a city as Wellington (which I adore) I think I will be really happy here.

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