Like the Ceiling Can't Hold Us

You are all about to hate me, that's how amazing experience I am about to write about was.

This weekend, my friends and I had originally intended to venture out to Queenstown and brave the bungy experience. However, we decided that since it's still orientation, we would stay closer to Christchurch and therefore be available for some of the events. Basically the Greeter in me took over. So instead, we decided to head out to Lyttleton, which is about an hour outside Christchurch. We hopped on the bus and began our adventure.

Lyttleton was apparently the epicenter of the large earthquake that struck Christchurch in 2011, and you could see a lot of remaining damage. But the most striking effect was that the downtown felt almost deserted. There was graffiti everywhere, and a lot of small businesses were closed. Despite this, the scenery was beautiful, with the combination of the striking mountains and the harbour right next to each other.

This is Lyttleton!

And this is the beautiful wharf! Across the bay there is Diamond Harbour, which we took the ferry to. Fun fact: you can use your metro card on the ferry! Sweet!

We decided we wanted to break out the packs and boots and do some hiking, so we went over to Diamond Harbour and did the Cliff Track, which is basically what it sounds like. After starting off with a painfully long series of steep switchbacks, and briefly going off the trail into some less than traveled terrain (totally on purpose) we ended up with an incredible hike right along the water. 

New pack! Happens to match the water, no biggie.

 Although it was challenging (it was also pretty hot and humid out) the views were so, so worth it. 

It took us about three hours to hike all the way to the beach we would eventually swim at (I'll get to that), and during that time I definitely had a mother nature moment. There is something so pure and beautiful about hiking. It's as though your mind and your body make an agreement, like "I know this is going to hurt and you're going to be tired, but if you just let me keep going, I will make it worth it." And it does hurt (worse if you have a giant blister on the ball of your foot, which I may or may not have), and you are tired, but the trust you build with your own body drives you forward. At first you feel a bit clumsy, maybe a little unsure of your steps. But then your breath and your footsteps and your heartbeat become one rhythm, and you stride more confidently with every step. Then you look up from watching your feet and see the turquoise water, and the mountains rising in the distance, and you feel the New Zealand sun kissing your face. And you think, "I belong here." And you do.

This rhythm I fell into made the hike wonderfully peaceful. We trekked to a beach several miles from the ferry, and I honestly don't even have words to describe how beautiful it was. We quickly dropped our packs and changed into our togs (swimsuits) and waded our way out into the blue. The bottom was this incredibly dense clay-ish muck, so I'm sure we were hilarious to watch as we tried to unstick ourselves for another step. But we made it, and we swam and frolicked for awhile. Then we took the most satisfying naps in the sunlight.

We then had the task of getting back to the ferry, as it was dinner time and we had already eaten our trail snacks. We decided to hike back part of the way, and then walk up to the road and follow it back. This was steep, but the breeze was a lot more prominent so that made a huge difference. Along our way, we encountered a baby hedgehog, which apparently has been a lifelong dream of Sasha's. She nearly pooped her pants with joy.

The hedgie was so cute, and although there is no photographic evidence, I held it for a bit! After our long day of walking we ended up at a yummy seafood place overlooking the wharf, and we filled our tired tummies with delicious fish and chips (I had seafood chowder and it was scrumptious.)

This has definitely been my favorite day in New Zealand so far. It was so adventurous and new and beautiful and challenging and sunny and calming and satisfying. I loved the people I was with and I loved every second of what I was doing.

Tomorrow we are heading to a sort of famous farmer's market it Christchurch. It's huge and they have tons and tons of things, not just food. I'm really excited to check it out!

Fun facts/updates:

-The beds in New Zealand (at least at Ilam Apartments) are extra long. I no longer feel like Buddy the Elf.

-We went to the Salvation Army in Christchurch yesterday, and I was able to secure a majestic bird painting for my flat. The checkout lady was like "This is really quite lovely," and I had to fight not to laugh. I will try to post a picture tomorrow.

-Someone from the University must have read my rant, because Macklemore tickets went back on sale for a brief period! So now I will be seeing a great artist while in New Zealand...my life continues to become more of a dream every minute!

-While we were walking back to the ferry after our trek, these little girls randomly started following us. I really wanted it to be a cute moment but they were really freaking annoying. They kept screaming and yelling dumb things at us and being really obnoxious. It was like ten year olds hopped up on gallons of pixie stix. Not the best part of the trip, but funny in retrospect. One of them was eating an apple and when she was finished, she decided it would be a good idea to bounce the core on the ground like a ball. To my delight (sorry not sorry) it bounced and hit her in the face.

-Although I like and am friends with everyone in our program, there are six of us that have really connected. We have been spending lots of time together, and have even started the tradition of "family dinners," where everyone brings something and we all cook and eat together! I can already tell that I am going to have these friends for a long time, and I am so lucky to have them here with me.

The gang's all here! Sasha, Sam, Thomas, Elise, Me, and John! Amazing adventures with amazing friends.

Okay, I hiked a lot today and I am so ready for my extra long bed! Tune in next time for my farmer's market experience...and for the picture of the bird painting, of course.