So, this weekend I did… nothing. Yes, nothing. However, that’s not how it was planned out.
I ended up deciding to go on an overnight tramping (backpacking) trip in Arthur’s Pass, with a friend of mine (as opposed to trying to get to the Wild Foods Festival in Hokitika). However, transportation basically bailed out on us, and we were stuck in Chch, with our packs, not even heading towards Arthur’s Pass. So we very reluctantly gave up on that idea, as there wasn’t enough time left in the day, and just went back to our respective flats at the uni. I do suppose it was a good shakedown for future trips, but at the same time, it was quite a bummer, frankly. We were both ready, geared and stocked up, and really wanting to just spend a night out in the bush, but alas, such was not our luck. This whole event though has pushed me even further towards really strongly considering buying a car here. That’s another issue for another time though.
After spending an hour or two just relaxing, I spent some time in the late afternoon and early evening wandering about downtowne Chch. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera, so nothing to show the world from that adventure. We wandered about some of the shops, and stopped at another café, where I got yet another excellent shot of espresso (a short black, as it’s called in the local lingo). Speaking of espresso, I simply want to comment on the fact that I have yet to have a bad cup of coffee here in NZ, and rarely have I had just a good cup of coffee. It’s always been great or excellent cups of coffee. The retailers in the states could really learn something here.
Later on, we ate in a Mexican restaurant, which was the first time since I was in Jackson, Wy (back in late Jan / early Feb) that I’d had any Mexican food. And boy was it delicious. I had some vege taquitos and a strawberry Margarita, both of which were delicious (I’m aware that I already said it, I just want to underline the point, so to speak). Went back to the uni for a bit, and then ended up going out on the towne for a bit in the evening. We went into some Irish bar called The Bog, and hung out there for a while. They had a good cover band playing, and a good time was had by all.
Otherwise, life around here is great. School is going well, I’m about at the point were I’m going to have to start doing some work, as the assignments are just starting to get dolled out, so that’s a bummer, but such is life. Anyways, I suppose taht after all’s said and done, I’m actually here to study… Outside today, it’s absolutely gorgeous,which was quite a change from what I was expecting. It was a bit cool this morning, and the skies were really ominous, with what I thought to be threats of rain, but as the day has gone on, it’s gotten nicer and nicer. Right now, it’s 23° and sunny, nary a cloud in the sky. I’d go for a run, but I’m still feeling somewhat sickly, so I might head out to check out the Ilam Gardens, which are only a 2-3 minute walk from my flat.
On tap for this weekend: Castle Hill, with the climbing club. I’m quite excited, and I’m sure it’ll be an awesome time.