Our time in Christchurch

[rowanf]

Christchurch2.jpg
Originally uploaded by rowanf.

So we have been in Christchurch for a couple of days. There isn't any great event or sight about which to write. We have seen the Cathedral (our hotel is right off Cathedral Square). There is a crafts market in the square which has some interesting artists. Today they had some young "street artists" doing a mural together as part of a city program.

Yesterday morning I had a long chat with one of the greenstone carvers at the craft market. He sells his carved stones but he also sells a lot of bone carvings and such. He says he designs those but has them carved elsewhere so they are affordable (relatively!). I bought a bone Taniwha that spoke to me. The carver said it is the fresh water kind and I think that it fits in with the water advocacy work I have been doing to have a guardian Taniwha pendant. In the afternoon yesterday, I did a fair bit of shopping for greenstone bits and finally found the triple twist earrings I had been wanting. So shopping is finished too.

I have gotten a couple of caches (and DNF'd one). We went walking in the Botanical Gardens (mostly to get a cache). All the TBs and geocoins are now dispersed and I left off carrying my caching bag to lighten my load today.

We decided not to take a punting tour down the river (they don't let you wield the pole yourself but have a professional chauffeurs in a straw boater and striped coat to pole you along) since the river looked unshaded and not so interesting. It was almost 80F today and in the sun it was very hot.

This afternoon we went up the gondola to the top of a mountain. It was fairly hazy though so I doubt our pictures amount to much. But we ate at the cafe and took in the views. I found a some cards and then a book by Gerar Toye, the "Global Gypsy". I love his work!

We grabbed dinner at a souvlaki place. As usual I was disappointed - my souvlaki tastes were educated at Icarus/Hector's in DC/VA and I think if I really want to have it like I like it I am going to have to learn to make it. I plan to start forthwith. Well, soon, once I'm back in my own kitchen. The fact that my area is deficit in Greek food means that I don't get that button pushed very often.

Then we went to the cinema and saw Juno which we had been meaning to do and it was really quite good. I would never have made her choices, but I believed in the character's integrity and spirit a great deal. I think my parents feared that I would show up pregnant at that age. I wouldn't have, my wildness went in other directions, but that was a fear my mother had for sure. I loved the conversation between the parents after she had told them. I think I will be thinking about this movie for a long time.

So, tomorrow we fly from Christchurch to Auckland and then Auckland to home. We will travel for many hours and get home before we started. Somehow I doubt that will make us feel less tired. I can't wait to get inworld. I suspect sleeping and Second Life will be in competition when I get home. There is a big literary event going on inworld that I have carefully not volunteered for anything around but if I am up to it I hope to attend. I am sure both my avatar's IMs are capped by now. It has been sooooo frustrating!

Comments

[sbisson.livejournal.com]

Does that mean you're staying in "Off The Square"? It's a really cute hotel - and our friend Seth used to look after the IT there!

[marypcb.livejournal.com]

and if so, did you see the lovely painting of the Maori man and the white woman? it's been protested several times!

[rowanf.livejournal.com]

Yes! That painting is on our floor. I like the complexity of the Maori man. I didn't know it had been protested. It is an amazing work of art.

[rowanf.livejournal.com]

Indeed it does. It is an interesting idea but it is driving me crazy! Since the walls aren't squared that means the bedsided table isn't against the wall... so there is nothing to keep things falling off. And there is this big black shelf thing in our room that is proportioned so that every time I try to do something on the desk level I hit my head on the upper shelf. And the "L" shape of the room means that there is no place to put things without tripping over them because it is so narrow! I love the location but after 3 days I am coming to *really* hate this room.

[marypcb.livejournal.com]

if you still have time, take the tram and get off in New Regent St - Italianate buildings, world's first shopping mall - and have coffee and muffins at the top end as the tram takes you in (so behind you when you get off). Dinner on the tram is quite fun... the market in Cathedral Square (under the big metal cone of native flora?) is a smaller selection of what's in the Arts & Crafts Centre (also on the tram line, across from the botanic gardens where the peacock fountain you photographed is) at the weekends but there are some lovely shops there all the time - might even have been the cinema you went to is there.

[rowanf.livejournal.com]

I love the facade of New Regents! We have wandered through there several times since it is just behind Cathedral Junction where the hotel is. I think we're actually going to Picasso (the other direction) for breakfast this morning. That's the one with the toilets for chairs. But they looked like they have amazing eggs benedict.

[rubibees.livejournal.com]

I want to see Juno this wend!! Thanks for the recommendation. Please rest--SL will be there whenever you are ready.

[rowanf.livejournal.com]

I had mixed feelings about seeing it when I first heard about it months ago but I am really glad I went. Oh, my body is very good at resting. But I will need to get back in to Pacific time, so staying up during the day is probably good too. And I might as well be in SL. *grin* I am human, hear me rationalize. *grin*

Juno

[rubibees.livejournal.com]

We saw it last night and loved it! Clearly a lot of the movie's appeal is the actress, but a happy ending doesnt hurt either. Just what I needed last night.