Why Am I Here?

After three and a half months of living on this little island, I still don’t really know why I came here. People (friends here included) sometimes ask me why I picked New Zealand, and I don’t have an answer. It’s a mystery, really. I’m not “outdoorsy” in any sense of the word, and am rarely what people here would call “adventurous.” I enjoy sunlight and history, both of which are only here in small quantities: The sun rises at 7:30am and sets by 5:00pm; the short history of this place is not considered important by the people who live here. Sadly—and I should have known this before I made this island my destination for five months—there are no ancient ruins, much less anything “old.”

Without my eccentric group of friends here, I don’t know how I would have survived this long in a land where people revere the landscape above all else. (I am somewhat weary of scenery, and of admiring it.) Tonight after dinner in Flat 47, well, it was one of the times that made me glad to be a in a foreign place. Over tea, my friend Rachel asked us for input on her essay about the relationship between travelling, identity, culture, and “the other.” We discussed the ways we see other cultures, and how they help us make sense of our own culture and identity. We all agreed that we analyze everything here in terms of how it relates to what is normal for us. For example, we view Kiwis as laid-back and inefficient because we are comparing their society to our (fast-paced and busy) society back in America.

It seemed that we all have essays due in the coming days, so we decided to discuss everyone’s essay topics. We debated the characteristics of classic literature (Hayley’s essay), the merits of a multi-party system of government (Adam’s essay), the attitudes toward the environment as they relate to Christian thought (Tori’s essay), and the interpretation of violence in sacred texts (Chris’ essay). I’m currently writing about the manners and sensibility of the ideal men in Sense and Sensibility. There isn’t much up for debate on that topic . . . it’s hard to beat Colonel Brandon and Edward Ferrars!

It’s already Monday night, and I leave Wednesday morning for my trip to Tauranga with Moana (the token Kiwi), Rachel, Hayley, and Tori. Until then, I’ll be working hard on my essay and trying not to get too distracted talking to people! I’ll definitely miss tea times that stretch for hours!

In preparation for our trip, we’ve been emailing a bit. An excerpt from Moana’s email gives you a wee glimpse into Kiwi culture and the spectrum of beliefs held by our various friends, as well as her lovely sense of humour:

“Mum's keen to make Pavlova*. :D Prepare to be amazed.

I however, am coming down with something. (sore throat and general yukkiness). Send me your [insert religious and/or secular comment here] to help me get better for the trip, okay?”

* “Pavlova is a meringue dessert named after the ballet dancer, Anna Pavlova. It is crispy on the outside but light and fluffy inside. Some sources claim the recipe originated in New Zealand, while others claim it was invented in Australia. However, like the Anzac biscuit, the earliest known books containing the recipe were published in New Zealand.”

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pavlova_(food))