Those would be much worse scenarios. While I was sick and the family was off on holiday I remember laying in the bath before going to bed and just zoning out. Staring at the fake marble walls that surround the bathtub and noticing how the pattern perpetuated. I started seeing faces and figures within the marbleized print on the panels. I was relaxed and I could finally breath. This reminded me of how one looks up at the clouds and sees mysterious shapes and fantastical creatures. This made me smile.
Today is the one year anniversary of the famous Christchurch earthquakes and we all watched a documentary that showed the events, reactions and the aftermath of the disaster. 183 people died, 116 of which where all in one building. The CTV building. People where living in their backyards under tarps because they didn't want to take the chance of being in their house and having it collapse on them when another after shock came. Compared to Japan or Haiti, this was a minor disaster, but to be brought into the stories and lives of the people who where there, witnessed and lost loved ones in the quake makes it seem just as terrible. I'm glad I saw it because I was pretty oblivious to what really happened. All I had heard was that there was a big earthquake in New Zealand and I went on with my life, but after knowing that there are only 4.4 million people living here 183 all of a sudden becomes a really big number.
I'm really am grateful to be staying where I am with a family who is treating me really well, but damn am I bored. I want to get a move on as soon as I can and hang out with people my own age. I was feeling really homesick today, more than I ever have on my whole trip so far and I think that's why. I've been in Paekakariki for about two weeks now and I need to start traveling again. My next hopeful destination will be Picton or somewhere near there. Picton is where the ferry lands from Wellington. I'm going to try an find another farm to WWOOF at and meet some more people my own age.
Anyway sorry I haven't posted in a while, I guess I have been a bit lazy apart from the time that I was sick. I will try and post more frequently.
I'm checking out for tonight with hopes to have my spirit lifted in the near future and to keep having amazing experiences.
Yuval
P.S. to anyone who's a Lord Of The Rings nerd this is a picture I took where they shot the seen of Gullem catching fish and singing in the forbidden pool in the second movie, or is it the third movie? I can't remember.
Location:Te Miti St,Paekakariki,New Zealand
