Reverse Culture Shock

I think about NZ all day everyday!! Reverse culture shock is definitely harder than normal culture shock.  We are expected to fit in where we left off but we have grown so much and things have changed.  And subtle things weird me out like passing people on the right side and driving on the other side of the road.  And I miss NZ accents!  It's strange because these are things we've never thought about before, but now stick out  in life back home like a sore thumb.  The worst part is I don't have my NZ friends around me to talk about it and go through the adjustment together.  But that is why the "Bro-hood of the Traveling Tacky Tank Top" is awesome - Steph, Courtney, Cathy and I can keep in touch and up to date with our lives and talk about NZ.

So many people ask me the question:  "How was NZ?"  I have so much trouble answering it because a flood of memories and emotions arise that cannot be explained in words.  The best I can do is "It is the most beautiful country in the world ... epic ... life-changing ... mind-blowing."  It feels like a dream.  I really cannot believe/comprehend all that we have seen and experienced - this trip was more than I ever could have hoped for and I feel so lucky.  That's the thing ... even though I get depressed sometimes and want to go back to NZ and see everyone, I am so happy I feel this way.  That I was fortunate enough to have had the greatest experience of my life and to have made such amazing friends.  I love my life!!!

So anyways, after I said goodbye to NZ and made the long journey to NY, I spent two days with the family and then went up to Ithaca to surprise my boyfriend, Connor, and see my best friends.  Reuniting with my friends was amazing because I have missed them extremely.  It was also a great way to beat jetlag because I was so wired from excitement all day until I hit the pillow and realized how mentally/physically/emotionally exhausted I was!

So as much of a struggle this is to readjust to not-as-awesome life in NY, I am overly happy I ever shared this amazing life with amazing people for five months.  I realized the purpose of my life is to be in constant pursuit of beauty because when I find it in its many different forms, I am at peace.  Beauty can only be perceived with a serene mind which is proof that it is possible to live a dream.  Kia Ora, Aotearoa!

November 13th

Saturday Nov. 13:  This is the day that has always loomed in my future.  November 13th.  The day I leave New Zealand.  The day I return to the states.  The day everyone here has dreaded but everyone back home has waited eagerly for.  And what do I think of this day?  I have had mixed feelings all along.  Sometimes when I missed people from home I wished it would arrive sooner, but when I was having the time of my life, I would want to push it as far away as possible.  Now that it is actually here I am having these same emotions but more intense.  I am ecstatic to see my family, boyfriend, and friends.  But I am heartbroken from being ripped away from this place and my friends here.

This morning Courtney's parents took us four girls out to a nice breakfast.  Then while walking around the mall area looking for tacky NZ tanks, Courtney happened upon the last "I <3 NZ Bro" tank top in the store we were looking in.  We decided it would be an awesome idea to buy it and send it back in forth like the sisterhood of the traveling pants!  We then bought a notebook to send with it.  We are now known as the "Bro-hood of the Traveling Tacky Tank Top."  This way we can keep in touch and talk about New Zealand while we are back in the states.  This will definitely help us all overcome our reverse culture shock.

While we drove Cathy back to our house, I felt the tears welling into my eyes, ready to spill over any second.  I took one look at Steph, saw her eyes were just as glossy and then at the same time, the tears just poured out of our eyes.  It was the strangest crying ever because we were laughing but our eyes were like buckets that kept refilling and spilling over.  It was so sad leaving Cathy and driving away down the driveway.  We composed ourselves by the time we got to the apartments and then packed up and laid out it the sun on the Ilam quad. 

So the time came for our taxi to take us to the airport.  I was in such a weird state of mind... just reluctantly going through the motions and not accepting that everything I left behind today, I was leaving for a very long time.  At the airport, Steph and I's luggage was overweight so we spent a while ripping through our luggage,  transferring or getting rid of stuff.  We were happy when we finally made it to the gate and saw Ryan sitting there!  I had my first 2 hour flight from Christchurch to Auckland with Stephanie and Ryan and my 13 hour second flight to San Fransisco with Ryan.  My third flight was 6 hours to New York.

Saying goodbye to Stephanie and New Zealand was very rushed and very very sad.  I did not know how to handle it.  It did not feel real so I wasn't emotional about it yet.  As I flew over New Zealand, the sun was setting and the mountains looked so beautiful.  I shed a few tears as I stared out the window until I could no longer see the land I loved deeply, explored every corner of, changed my life, and called my home for the past five months.

Goodnight New Zealand

The final countdown

Thursday Nov. 11:  All day was spent with Stephanie on a flight from Cairns to Melbourne and then Melbourne to Christchurch.  We returned late at night and Courtney and Cathy picked us up in Court's parents rental car.  It was so good to see them again!!

Cathedral Square

Stocking up on Tim Tams

Friday Nov. 12:  My last full day in New Zealand!!!!  Steph, Courtney, Cathy, and I ventured shoeless into the city for the last time and shared stories of our past week.  It was a beautiful sunny day and we went souvenir shopping and hung out in the square.  We also went to the grocery store and stocked up on Tim Tams to take back to the States with us.  I bought ten boxes so hopefully they will last me through my depression from leaving NZ.  I tried to take in and appreciate as much as I could.  As I turned my head away from Cathedral Square for the last time I didn't know what to do or how to feel.  I couldn't handle that I was leaving behind everything I have known for the past five months.  I was leaving home.

Banana Pancakes

Love these girls

That night we hung out in my room.  We made chocolate chip banana pancakes and homemade hot chocolate, did Tim Tam slams, laughed till our sides hurt, took self-timer pictures, and reminisced on our amazing life journeys together.  I am going to miss these girls dearly.

That night Steph and I snuggled up and had the hardest time falling asleep.  This was our last night.

Flatmates!

Australia: Great Barrier Reef

Wednesday Nov. 10:  Early this morning I jumped out of bed in excitement because we were about to see one of the seven natural wonders of the world!!  The Great Barrier Reef!!  It is the world's largest reef system and the world's biggest single structure made by living organisms. 

On the boat to the reef

Suited up in our wetsuits

We went to the wharf to catch the Sunkist boat.  We had a nice hot two hour ride out to the reef.  I was originally going to snorkel instead of scuba dive because I was worried about my sensitive right ear.  But then all of a sudden I changed my mind and knew I would have regretted not scuba diving the greatest reef in the world.  I did an intro scuba dive which was absolutely amazing and worth the pain in my ear which ended up not being as bad as it was in Bermuda.  We dove eight meters deep and was awestruck.  The reef and fish were intensely diverse and colourful.  I saw giant clams, held sea cucumbers, followed beautiful fish, and so much more.  I also got to snorkel at two different locations.  I've snorkeled many times in my life but nothing can beat this.

Great Barrier Reef

We got free lunch and hung out on the deck getting a little sunburnt.  After an amazing day soaking up the sun and in an underwater dreamland, we had free dinner at the woolshed and went to sleep with another world wonder under our belts.

Australia: Cairns

Tuesday Nov. 9:  Today we were so happy to leave the crazy Kanga House backpackers early in the morning.  A taxi brought us to the airport but our flight to Cairns was delayed.  Unfortunately this meant we would have to cancel our plans to visit the Cairns Zoo to see koalas and kangaroos. 

Cairns Boardwalk

Lagoon

When we stepped off the plane in Cairns we immediately started to sweat.  It was so hot and tropical!  A car from Asylum Hostel picked us up from the airport.  This is where we met Ruth from Germany.  She ended up being our roommate and she is so sweet!!  Asylum Hostel is awesome.  It has a tropical feel and the people are so chill.  That day after we got settled Steph, Ruth, and I walked down the boardwalk and hung out in the sun by the lagoon.  We saw mass amounts of people doing Zumba in the park so Steph and I decided to join in.  It was so hilariously random and fun!

Zumba in the Park

Thanks to Cairns Hostel, we got free dinner at the Woolshed.  I love Cairns!!

Australia: Blue Mountains

Monday, Nov 8:  Today was our last day in Sydney.  We relaxed at Room 10 for the last time.  The fresh orange juice was sooo delicious.  Thank you for being awesome Room 10.

Room 10

Three Sisters

We got a two hour train to Katoomba, the main town in the Blue Mountains.  This is the only place in the world you can see a blue haze, which is caused by the oils of the Eucalyptus trees.  We decided to do a bus tour of the area which was great because we got to see a lot of the mountains.  We could hop on and off the bus at its several stops and it comes around every half hour.  The first stop Steph and I got off at was a trail that opened up to a epic view of the famous Three Sisters, which are rock formations standing over 3000 feet above sea level.  The commonly told Indigenous Australian Dreamtime legend of the Three Sisters is that three sisters fell in love with three men from a neighbouring tribe, but marriage was forbidden by tribal law. Battle ensued, and the sisters were turned to stone by an elder to protect them, but he was killed in the fighting and no one else could turn them back.  These mountains are a different sort of beautiful than New Zealand mountains, but they are just as mind-blowingly stunning.

Blue Mountains

Giant Stairway

We walked right up to the Three Sisters and began to walk down the Giant Stairway.  It was so steep and we got amazing views.  We thought it would end but it never did and we started to get nervous.  We did not want to have to walk back up.  On the way down we met two Belgians, Maarten and Hilde, who were sweating and panting on their way up.  They told us that this was the most intense hike and there were 1000 steps.  Also the last bus was leaving in 30 mins.  Ahhhhhhh!!  So we turned around and we all booked it up the stairs.  It was painfully strenuous but luckily we made it just in time to not get stranded in the mountains.

Kangaroo Burger

Steph and I started talking to the Belgians and we all got off the bus in the cute town of Leura.  Here we had some drinks at a bar before walking back to Katoomba.  Maarten and Hilde are awesome!  They have been traveling for a month and want us to stay with them in Belgium.  We talked for so long about life, traveling, politics, school, and work.  In Katoomba we found a restaurant that served kangaroo burgers!!  Kangaroo is so delicious.  While eating at our table outside we witnessed a hit and run!  Some dodgy guy hit a motorcycle with his car, got out, talked to the bike owner's friend and then decided to drive away!  Luckily I had a notepad and wrote down the license plate.  

We rode the train home with them late at night and basically became best friends.  At our hostel, we fell asleep to crazy loud French rap music and woke up super early to catch our flight to Cairns.  We were so happy to leave Kanga House Backpackers for good.

Australia: Bondai Beach and Music Awards

Sculpture by the Sea

Sunday, Nov 7:  After two days of rain, it was finally a sunny and hot day in Sydney!  We got takeaway coffee at Room 10 and walked around the cute Kings Cross weekend market.  We then walked to Oxford Street to catch a bus to Bronte Beach, which sits on Nelson Bay.  Now this is the Australia you see on television and postcards - home to one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world!  Room 10 suggested we do the coastal walk to Bondi beach which was STUNNING!!! And we were lucky to be there during the "Sculpture by the Sea" - Australia's largest annual outdoor sculpture exhibition displaying over 100 sculptures by artists from around the world.  They were set up beautifully along the coastal walk that we wandered along.  In the middle of it, Stephanie and I stopped at a cliff ledge overlooking the beach and surfers to eat our lunch. 

Bondi Beach

Bondi beach is one of the best beaches in the world and is about one kilometer long.  We walked down along the graffitied walls and onto the hot, sunny beach where we laid down and soaked in the cosmic rays for a few hours.  Once we had had enough sun, we ate at the Sushi Train.  Different plates of sushi and Asian food came around on a conveyor belt and we had to pick the plates we wanted.  We had so much fun here.  I got called out on using my chopsticks incorrectly.  Meanwhile Steph was using her fingers.  Not fair.

We caught a bus back to Kings Cross and walked to the Sydney Opera House to see the ARIA music awards.  We settled down by the water where we got a pretty good view of the steps and stage.  Everything was lit up, there were tons of people, and we got to hear some bands play.  Steph and I dubbed today "call out Shona day" because first the chopsticks, then I got called out for standing on the bench taking pictures, and some random guy passed while I was yawning and said "why are you yawning?  It's still early!" Steph and I laugh way too much :)

ARIA music awards

So after an awesome display of fireworks over the harbour, we went back to our hostel where we had another horrible night sleep with our disrespectful French roommates ...  But it couldn't damper our moods too much after another awesome day.

Australia: Macaron Day

Saturday, Nov. 6:  This morning the streets were literally flooding with rain.  We hung out until it dried up a bit and then went to Room 10 where we ate yummy sandwiches and free banana blueberry smoothies while talking about skydiving. 

Soon we walked though the beautiful botanic gardens to Sydney Harbour.  There was a lot of commotion around the Opera House and we found out they were setting up for the Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA) awards which would be held Sunday night.  Steph and I decided we would return here to witness this grand event.  We are so lucky we came this week!

We ventured through the Rocks market where I bought tea and a didgeridoo and boomerang made by aboriginals.  I cannot wait to learn how to play the didgeridoo! 

Didgeridoo

Ferry to Balmain

Then, following Room 10's suggestion, we caught the ferry to Balmain.  We had amazing views of the Sydney Harbour from the ferry.  Balmain is a cute, artsy suburb peninsula where we found Adriano Zumbo patisserie.  Zumbo is renowned for his creative genius when it comes to cakes, pastries, and macarons.  He has been featured on Australia's Masterchef TV show!!  We just happened to come on his birthday and the famous macaron day!  Totally serendipitous.  With unusual flavours such as Salted Butter Popcorn, Toothpaste, Vegemite Sourdough, Beer and Nuts, Blue Cheese and Burnt Toast, making a choice was no easy task. Flyers listing the various flavours were handed out so people had ample time to make a choice before stepping into the patisserie which was cleared of the usual desserts to make way for the mountains of macarons. 

We split ten different flavours and slowly indulged in them at a nearby cafe.  Our list in favourite order is:  Salted milk chocolate caramel, peanut butter and jelly, milo, coconut, yogurt chilli tangerine, blood and chocolate, cucumber mint yoghurt, burnt toast, strawberry bubblegum, and salmon. 

Adriano Zumbo Macarons

We got the ferry back and walked to the Sydney Centrepoint Tower.  We were hoping to go up to the bar at the top an because we heard there are spectacular views.  However although we were wearing nice dresses, the snobs wouldn't let us up because we were wearing flipflops.  Not cool.  So we decided to leave and chill at O'Malley's Irish Pub which was fun.

SKYDIVING in Australia

Friday Nov. 5:  One of the most epic days of my life.  It began with chai lattes and free cinnamon croissants at Room 10.  Our mood changed drastically from frustrated with our hostel to loving life in Room 10 simply due to the people around us.  People are so important because they can make or break the moment.  We walked around Kings Cross on a caffeine and life high before boarding the train to North Wollongong.

And what awaited us in North Wollongong?  SKYDIVING!!!!  We were lucky to get the perfect day - blue sky scattered with white puffy clouds.  We spent awhile preparing, learning the techniques, and meeting our tandem partners.  My super awesome partner was Andy.  Steph and I became pretty good friends with Ju-Yeon from Korea who was in our plane. 

Skydiving was sooooooo amazing.  It was not even close to as scary as bungy jumping.  The view from the plane was amazing, but I did get nervous the higher we got.  We got up to 14,000 feet (the highest skydive in Australia) before we tumbled out of the plane.  We free fell at over 200 km/hr for one minute and then opened the parachute at 5,000 feet when we were in line with the clouds.  It was crazy going from the greatest rush of adrenaline in my life to a beautiful five minute glide over a breathtaking view of the beach and mountains.  Seriously the greatest view I have ever had in my life.  We had a smooth landing and right away I knew I wanted to do this again.  Thanks Andy for flying with me!  Life is short.  Stunt it.

Our first day in the land down under

Wednesday, Nov. 3: Schools out for the summer!!!  Wednesday night Steph, Court, Cathy, Max, and I ate at Space of Love.  Again, I love this place.  We had amazing vegetarian mince pie, spirulina smoothies, hot chai, sweet and sour salad, and this crazy carrot dessert.  That night we said our goodbyes to Max, Lindsey, Jess, and Sarah :( ... then Steph, Cathy, Court and I hung out in my room, watched hot rod, and laughed so much.

Leaving beautiful NZ for Australia

Thursday, Nov 4: All of Steph and my crazy planning was somewhat complete as we headed to the airport 4 am Thursday morning.  Right away we got good vibes from the Aussie people.  However, we did hit a bump in the road when we arrived at our hostel in Kings Cross and they told us they overbooked.  They sent us to a different hostel called Kanga House Backpackers.  Worst travel experience of my life.  The hostel and reception was nice but the inmates were extremely rude and awful.  We hated going back there every night and couldn't get out of it without losing money.  But we did not allow this to ruin our trip because the rest of Australia was incredible.

After we dumped our bags into our room, we wandered the streets of Kings Cross and came across a cafe called Room 10.  This was one of the best choices ever because it became our haven after every night at Kanga House.  We had amazing banana bread as the guys told us about cool things to do in Sydney.

On our way to the grocery store, we passed by a table raising money for the para-olympics.  We almost didn't stop but we felt good vibes so we wandered over.  The two guys were super nice and we talked to them for so long about more things we can do in Sydney!

Sydney Opera House

Sydney Harbour Bridge

After that we walked to the Sydney Harbour where we found the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.  It was all so much more epic than I imagined or saw on TV!  We walked up to and inside the Opera House and then across the Bridge.  It began to torrential downpour on our way across the bridge so we caught a train back to Wooloomooloo.  Here we went to the famous Harry's Cafe de Wheels.  It is a caravan cafe that serves the best meat pies I have ever tasted ... and has served so many celebrities!

Eat, Pray, Love

Friday Oct. 29:  I had my first final today - Sport Nutrition - I think it went well.  But ugg why must there be studying in "study abroad?" lame.  Oh well, it's a small price to pay for this amazing experience.  Today Court, Steph, Cathy, and I went to the cutest theatre in Sumner to see Eat, Pray, Love.  We had the whole theatre to ourselves and the movie was amazing!!  I just finished reading the book too (by Elizabeth Gilbert).  I highly recommend the book to every girl.

"But is it such a bad thing to live like this for just a little while? Just for a few months of one's life, is it so awful to...nap in a garden, in a patch of sunlight, in the middle of the day, right next to your favorite fountain? And then to do it again the next day?"  - Or in my case to sleep under the stars over a spark-filled sandy beach in the heart of Abel Tasman, gaze deeply into an epic four hour lightening storm on a small South Pacific island, hang 100 metres from a bungy in the middle of a canyon, or hang over the side of a boat in the Bay of Islands letting my hair sway with the waves as I count the white puffy clouds that scatter the sunny morning sky...

Elizabeth speaks the words to my heart - "You were given life; it is your duty (and also your entitlement as a human being) to find something beautiful within life, no matter how slight." - Everywhere and in every moment I find beauty now.  No matter how slight.  Leaving New Zealand will not be the end to my searching.  And it is not that I am going through life looking for the most amazing things, I am going through life observing and finding something beautiful in each moment.

Taking off the blindfold

Saturday Oct. 30:  Courtney's surprise 21st birthday celebration!!!  Back in the day when Court's sister visited, she gave Steph, Cathy, and I money from her parents to use for Courtney's birthday.  Ever since then, we have been thinking of ideas.  It all came together this past week.  I researched day spas and found the perfect one - Shunyata day spa/health/healing and spiritual retreat.  I knew it was perfect when I saw the first thing written on the website is,  "EAT, PRAY, LOVE at Shunyata and you don't even have to leave home."  This day couldn't have been more perfect!  We began early by taking Court to the bus stop.  When we reached the city bus exchange, we blindfolded her and proceeded to mess with her for about an hour and a half haha.  She had no idea what was going on!  Our destination was Diamond Harbour.  We took the ferry over and met Paru.  I love Paru.  She is an incredible lady.  I also love Diamond Harbour - the water really does sparkle like diamonds.  Paru has traveled the world and she is so passionate and inspiring about life.  We had the whole house to ourselves which looked over the beautiful harbour and hills and had a nice porch and hammock we could relax on in the sun.  Paru made us yummy sandwiches and tea :)  We were there all day because we had to take turns since there were two therapists - Paru and her awesome massage assistant Kath.  Firstly we all got to experience half an hour of ozone therapy:

Ozone sauna

This is one of the most powerful ways of detoxification.  It cleans the blood, destroys bacteria, fungi, and viruses without harming healthy tissue.  Steam inside the cabinet creates hypertherimia, raising body temperature, opening pores and allowing pure oxygen and ozone enter the skin.  As the pores open up and metabolism raises, toxins will be oxidized in skin, fat, blood and lymph.  Black liquid like toxins are then excreted from the body causing rapid detoxification and aiding the body in natural healing, cleansing and weight loss, (600 calories is lost per sauna).  Ozone is known to help in numerous conditions but most beneficial for chronic fatigue, cancer, HIV and aids, arthritis, depression and fibromyalgia.  SO COOL!!!

Relaxing in robes and hammocks

Those thirty minutes in the relaxing steam, looking out over Wreck Bay, listening to relaxing music, drinking ozonated water, and getting rose water sprayed on my face to cool me down was so so so amazing.  Then we received our hour and a half massages.  Paru did a massage involving cranio-sacral therapy and reflexology on me.  I loved talking to her about physical therapy and alternative practices.  She is such an intelligent, loving, amazing lady.  A major reason why I love traveling is because I love meeting interesting people like her who I can learn from and who can learn from me.

Diamond Harbour

We all felt so relaxed and happy afterward.  I want to thank Courtney's parents for making this awesome day possible.  Happy 21st Courtney!

More Spring in Christchurch

Victoria Park

Monday, Oct. 25:  This morning Courtney and I decided to venture into the beautiful city of Christchurch again and ride the cute vintage tram around.  It was a very relaxing day.  I finally got to explore the art gallery, Te Puna O Waiwhetu.  There are so many exhibits, we could have spent all day there, but it was nice taking a slow walk around appreciating the amazing art.  We then shopped at the  cute Art Centre market and then continued along the tram to Victoria Park.  Victoria Park was a nice grassy area in the middle of the city where we got delicious kiwi sundae vanilla ice and laid in the grass beneath the warm sun.  Mmmm I love spring :)

Christchurch Art Gallery

Space of Love Ayurvedic Cooking Lesson

Tuesday, Oct. 27:  Today Court and caught the bus to New Brighton.  We spent a few hours studying for exams in a cafe and library overlooking the beautiful shore.  Even studying is beautiful here!!  Then we went to the Space of Love. Wow.  One of the best experiences in New Zealand, and that's saying alot!  The Space of Love is a unique, relaxed, and friendly vegetarian cafe that aims to provide healthy, balanced, and nourishing meals freshly prepared daily from local organic produce.  They allow their customers to decide what they want to pay into the anonymous magic donation box.  It is the most chill environment.  We went there to take an Ayurvedic cooking class by Sruti, the owner.  He described to us the Ayurveda is a system of traditional Indian medicine and every ingredient we use is used to benefit the body.  There are spiritual aspects to it too.  We made samosas with coconut chutney and tarmarind and date chutney.  The first samosa filling was spinach and cheese, and the second was potato, cauliflower, and peas.  We used so many spices too!  We were cooking for four hours and it is the best food I have EVER had!!  I cannot wait to come home and try cooking it again.

delicious samosas and chutney we made

The best part of the night was talking with the people.  There was one girl there named River who was so awesome and from Rhode Island.  She is only in her twenties and has lived in Alaska, Hawaii, California, and New Zealand.  She just loves to travel, sleep on beaches, and meet people.  Court and I also received light therapy.  They shined different wavelengths of light on different parts of our body.  We felt so amazing afterward!  Apparently it is an alternative medicine used to treat many problems.  We received basic treatment that boosted our immune system and overall well-being and energy.  Awesome!!  We stayed late into the night after our meal sipping on herbal tea and talking to River and Sruti about life.  The best part of traveling is meeting amazing people and opening my mind to new ideas.  We had deep conversations about traveling, energy, religion, love, and balance.  It was an interesting, eye-opening, healthy hippie night.  A night I will always remember!