This definitely describes my first impressions of New Zealand and its people. Although the weather didn't get the memo. My first week was wet and cool (the main reason for the lack of photos in this post). It rained at least once a day and was overcast for the majority of the time. One thing I found out when I arrived is that a large proportion of homes in New Zealand use a wood stove for heat. This basically means that there's one main room that is warmer than the others and that during the day while you are away at work and at night there is nothing heating the house. At first I thought that it was just the house that I was staying at, but now that I've been going to different people's homes during my clinical time, it seems like 80% of the homes I've been to have been heated by wood stove. I love wood stoves, so I'm completely okay with this, but it does make for some chilly mornings, especially when you have a dull and rainy week. It can discourage you from being adventurous. As a whole, the weather can be unpredictable and variable (weekly, daily and hourly). This is a commercial on one of the main channels that makes me laugh, because there's definitely some truth behind it: Hilux Weather Report
Whenever I tell people I'm from Canada, they are generally really excited. Of course, this happens early on in conversation, because I've learnt if I wait too long my accent leads them to ask if I'm from America.Then I often get one of two responses:
1) They remark about how this temperature must be okay for me. I've stopped trying to explain how we have opposite seasons, being on the northern hemisphere, and blah blah blah, and just skipped right to, "But it was 30 C the day I left."
2) I have a _[fill with close acquaintance]_ who's been to _[fill with Canadian city]_ and then I have to try to explain where I'm from. The conversation typically goes: "Where in Canada are you from?" "Do you know where Toronto is?" "No, but I have a niece who's been to Calgary." ......... "Okay, I'm kind of on the other side."
People are really friendly and want to know how long you're going to be here, if you're going to travel, etc. and are usually thrilled to hear that you've come all this way to be in their city specifically. But I'm not going to make any remarks about how Kiwis are the friendliest people, because I'd like to think that Canadians are really friendly as well (and are internationally known for this). I think in North America we tend to be less friendly (not unfriendly, but we don't make any extra efforts) with each other, so when we go to another friendly country it just seems fresh and we appreciate the little efforts people make for us more. But yes, Kiwis are really friendly and the women I'm working with are super sweet and welcoming. I can already tell that I'm going to really enjoy my time here. Already I've been to a community forum on inflammatory bowel disease (Hey, I'm going to be a nurse okay!), gone to the bar to watch the All Black's game, bowling with my colleagues and invited to various other activities.
Watching the All Blacks game live in New Zealand was a great experience for me. I generally like rugby and being able to watch a professional game makes me wonder why anyone watches football. One of the things the All Blacks are known for is performing the Maori war dance, called the Haka, prior to the beginning of the game. It's basically a really cool way of challenging (and hopefully intimidating) the other team while also incorporating a piece of the country's history and unique culture into the sport. If you haven't seen it: All Blacks vs. France Haka
Lastly, I was so warmly welcomed by one of the local churches here. It was such a blessing to be able to worship the Lord on a Sunday morning with other Christians, especially since I missed a Sunday while travelling here. It's amazing that I can travel over 14,000 km (to give you some perspective, the distance between the North to South Poles is about 20,000 km) and find other Christians and be welcomed into their community. It reminds me of how Ephesians 2: 19-20 and Galatians 3:28 speak of how we are all united in Christ, even though we may have different backgrounds, cultures, etc. It kind of makes me want to travel and live in different places, just to see how God is glorified around the world by so many different nations, tribes and tongues.
All in all, I survived my first week and the only person I miss is my cat.
Cheers!
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