Some quick thoughts from the antipodes . . .

I'm headed off to the Wildfoods Festival for the weekend with some friends. We've rented a car, and we are camping. A first!

http://www.wildfoods.co.nz/wildfoods/

A few funny things happened over the past couple of days that illustrate the eccentricities of the New Zealand culture:

1. During religion class this morning, a student (one of the “mature” or adult students) left the room for a bit. It is a two-hour class, and we were all getting a bit antsy, so I just assumed she was using the toilets (no, it’s not improper to say that!). However, when she returned in about fifteen minutes, she had with her a cup of coffee from an on-campus café.

2. After my religion class, I went on to Latin. There, the student in front of me had headphones on. And he kept them on for the entire class period. He even answered a question.

3. Also, during religion class, the lecturer was discussing New Zealand identity and how “New Zealanders” find their identity in nature even though most of them live in the city. He noted that the South Island, where I am, is almost free of people. In fact, there are fewer people on the South Island than there are in Auckland, which is home to about 1.2 million people. Then, he complained about the structure of the city of Christchurch and viciously criticized the city for becoming so suburban. Oh, suburbs! If only he could visit Atlanta!

That’s about it for now. I’ll post about all the fun food I don’t eat this weekend (see website if you’re confused) when I get back on Sunday!