Last stop on the North Island

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  Wellington, New Zealand
Sunday, March 12, 2006

Arriving in Wellington was a relief after the 8 hour bus ride that seemed to crawl just under the speed limit the entire way. We stopped half a dozen times to pick up folks along the way; two Australians, a Brit, an Israeli, and two Germans that had been working the past month in a carrot packing plant. They worked 10 hour days for the past four weeks which gave them enough money to travel for the next three. Seems like a poor pay-off, but then again, I worked for thirteen years to get one off - so I guess I shouldn't judge.

Due to Courtney's insane work schedule, and my lack of a cell phone - we had some issues getting in touch with each other once I reached Wellington. From a pay phone I called the three numbers I had for her and left messages starting on Tuesday evening. But when I arrived in Wellington at six thirty and walked to her apartment there was a note taped to the outside of her building. The note read that there had been a mix up with our meeting dates and that she would not be home until after 9 PM and that I should call her then. So I wandered back the direction from where I came, ordered some dinner, piled my bags into the corner of the restaurant and waited.

When I first met Courtney at the University of Copenhagen thirteen years ago, we became fast friends, sharing similar backgrounds and the same sense of humor. Courtney was at the top of the class as a Sophomore, simply out thinking and out performing all others including the older students. I could tell that Courtney was special. Since then, she has received her Doctorate in Architecture from the University of Copenhagen, and has been teaching in Denmark, South Africa, and now New Zealand. But she's not just any teacher. She's the one that makes you see the world in a whole new way, convincing you that you knew it all along, just needing a catalyst to bring the thought forward.

Arriving at Courtney's place, I could see the giant smile of recognition walking down the street towards me. Can it actually be her after all of these years? She looks so beautiful - even more than I remember. Seeing her brought back so many memories as we sat and chatted and caught up on the current state of our lives. There are only a few people who I have met in this life that inspire me to become a better person, who have shown me what one person can accomplish, and how much one person can offer the world. Courtney is one of those people. Talking with her again made me miss her all the more.

The next evening we met another one of Courtney's friends, Sus, for dinner. She is also from Denmark currently working in NZ. After a week on my own, it was nice to have Girl's Night Out and chat and laugh with friends..Unfortunately, my arrival in Wellington did not synch up with Courtney's work schedule, and again, I am on my own.

Overlooking a beautiful harbor, Wellington is known as the cultural capital of NZ. There is a lively shopping, dining, and arts scene - something for everyone - and everyone is out exploring. For the next three days, I wandered Wellington, taking in the Botanical Gardens, the National Dragon Boat Festival, Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, open-air markets, and a great run across the city up to the Mount Victoria look-out. I would have enjoyed the shopping more if I weren't living out of 2500 cubic inches of space and having to carry everything on my back. But I guess that will help keep me within my budget. I have saved Te Papa, New Zealand's national museum, for when I return to Wellington in four weeks. For now, I have to head to the south island where I have been promised beauty beyond imagination.

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Dragon Boat Festival	More Sculptures	New Fern	Sculpture on the Plaza
The Perfect Rose	View of the City	View of the Harbor

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