Trampoline

 
Thank goodness for the trampoline. Gives the boys a way to burn off some of their energy

Pedestrians Beware

One does take their life into their hands as a pedestrian, here. Pedestrians do not have the right of way, not at street corners, only at a very few designated crosswalks. Kids are taught quite young the proper way to J-Walk. You need to cross away from the intersections (at the middle of the block) and be quick and alert. Too bad for us Canadian's who are still looking to the left for traffic that is actually coming from the right. And as a driver, do not slow down or stop for that elderly lady with a cane, or the mum with a toddler and a baby carriage. You'll get tooted off the road. Hmm, I think we are going to be a menace when we get back home.

Toilets

There is one thing you've got to say about Kiwi's: they do toilets incredibly well. There are public toilets (aka bathrooms) in every town and city centre, and they are mostly, impeccably clean. Some of them talk to you. No really, as you step into the toilet, a woman's serene voice talks you through the process: "Door locked, stand to flush, etc. etc). They are sealed and self cleaning. So, once a day (I'm guessing) the toilet is sealed off and fully washed with an automatic sprayer. OK, I didn't wait around for that part, but I've been told. Anyway, it's pretty nice not to have to sneak into MacDonalds or use grotty gas station toilets as you travel around town.

The Haka

Steven got to be part of the Haka for his school trip. This is part of a Maori welcome ceremony (Powhiri) that is done when one tribe (iwi) goes to visit another tribe. The host school was standing in rows in the gymnasium, and the visitors are welcomed in with a call/song by a woman (or girl in this case). Once the visitors entered the gym, the hosts begin their haka. It is a war dance that is intended to establish authority, dominance and intimidate any potential threatening visitor. Anyway, the Gis Int students filed in, as the Whakatane students started their haka. Then the Gisborne kids respond with their haka. If you could picture 500 students on the one side and 150 students on the other side facing off and in unison chanting (screaming) and stomping and clapping. It was awe inspiring. And does it ever pump them up to compete!! All of this is followed by speeches, welcome songs, and finally the hongi. This is the equivalent of the Maori hug. But it is a handshake, as you press nose to nose with your host. This is the host saying that "I have shared your air/breath. . . you are part of us and of this place, while you visit here." It was really cool to be a part of.

Whakatane Exchange

This week, we took a couple of days off work/school and all headed north to Whakatane for Steven's big school event -- the Whakatane Exchange. The weather was spectacular. The town is quaint. The competition was great fun.

A beautiful winter day in Whakatane

The Gisborne Intermediate uniforms looked smart

150 students got bussed from Gisborne Intermediate for the Whakatane exchange. We had a great time watching the Gis Int boys win both their basketball games. But, if B-ball is not your thing, you could have watched the Rugby, hockey, netball, a literacy challenge or any number of other competitions!

Frosty!

Well, winter's here. There was a frost this morning, and I had to use my hospital ID badge to scrape the wind screen. Tee Hee, but still it got up to 14 degrees. OK, I know you are all thinking that is nothing to whine about, but! inside the house was a mere 10 degrees this morning. Brrr!!

Fruity

A friend dropped off some mandarins for us from the orchard. . . Still on the branch. Now that's fresh!! Below is a Persimmon. You eat it like an apple. Sort of crunchy. Sort of tomato-y. Not sure I'll pack it in my lunch.