Venturing off to a foreign land was certainly an interesting
way to start a marriage, but we have grown immeasurably because of it. When we
left, we had the idea to stay here and live for a while, possibly gaining
residency. Since then, we’ve come to the realization that NZ really isn’t much
different than The States in the aspects that are most important to us. As Jenny from Big
Fish would put it, “If nothings gonna change then I’d just assume it not
change in the way things haven’t been changing all this time.” We can find what
we want in the U.S. while being closer to our families and not run the risk of
being booted out of the country. We kept hearing people say they wished they
had stayed and lived here, well we’ve gotten a taste of living abroad in NZ and
although it is beautiful, it still falls victim to the ills which every country
succumbs to. With this as the case, we set our sights on Oregon where we plan
to forge our own version of a home.
What we’ve learned in NZ:
2.
The world is smaller than you think (yes, in a
big philosophical way, but we’ve also seen multiple people with Colorado shirts
on, one campsite owner whose son lives in CO, and the brother of the people we
housesat for lived in Bozeman for a few years)
3.
What ‘essential’ means- surviving out of a
suitcase & a car while stifling the urge to by because of want
4.
The skills to integrate into a new culture
5.
Great teachers exist regardless of educational
style
What we’ll miss:
1.
Morning tea time
2.
The ocean
3.
The beautiful people we’ve come to know
4.
Meat pies (not so much Chris, but man I’ve
gotten use to egg, ham & cheese pies J)
5.
No tipping
What we’re looking forward to:
1.
Knowing where everything is in the grocery store
(or at least be familiar with the logic behind it!)
2.
Target & Michael’s
3.
No more 15% GST on everything (Oregon doesn’t
have sales tax at all!)
4.
Creating the things I’ve pinned (I’m about to burst with
great ideas from Pinterest!)
5.
And of course, FAMILY!
We jet off Saturday evening at 7pm and arrive in CA at 10:30
Sat morning- creating the longest Saturday EVER. At the moment, we’re mostly
anxious and just want to be on the plane with our luggage checked in! Soon
enough!
The relationships we’ve created here are priceless and we
will cherish them for the rest of our lives. Honestly, it is because of these
fabulous people that our trip has unfolded so flawlessly. Congratulations, you’ve
made the Christmas Card List.
People say, “Go big or go home!” Well, Chris and I have gone
big and now we are happy to return home. You can have both.
My head is already in the clouds, so here are some pictures.
See you soon ‘Merica.
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| Maori start to the 6 hour hike |
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| Dinner & drinks with Lauren and Simon who we met on our hike |
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| Lunch with our German friends, Elisabeth & Melina, in Christchurch |
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| Hard to imagine the devastation |
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| A freshwater eel |
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| Jailhouse Hostel in Christchurch |
