thirteenth floors and other silly things

Since the last blog, I have spent time in Taupo, Rotorua (and I am not even sure that is spelled right), and Hamilton. Current location: Auckland.

And I really like it.

It is warm(er). It is a city, so there are things to do and places to see. We have a hotel with free, fast WiFi and (not free! but available) phones. Our group is once again whole. Which has pros and cons, admittedly. But is also has a Megan and a Hibah. Which makes it mostly good. I forgive it for having the steepest roads ever.

On the creepy side, I am currently in my 13th floor hotel room. I thought hotels didn’t have 13th floors? Also creepy/weird is the fact that I have to use my hotel key in the elevator, and it will only let me go to my, the 13th floor. Apparently, most Auckland hotels are like this, to reduce crime. Again: Creepy.

Guess what I did today? I went to church! A real, legitimate Catholic church. Let it never be said that I am a heathen. After that, a friend and I wandered the city, searching for subjects for our survey (we found some!), worthwhile sights (success), and souvenirs (check!). But then it was time to work on school stuff back at the hotel. We call it module-ing, because our academic units are known as 'modules.' Or hellish torture devices. Depends on the day. They are not fun. It is vaguely painful. I am not being over dramatic when I say it is some of the most involved, complicated, brain-hurting work I have done in school. But I am done with everything that is due tomorrow, and I need to give my head a break before going back to edit/add/worry over!

But enough of that.

Who wants to see pictures?

!!

At the blue baths in Taupo. They are geothemically heated. It is fairly wonderful. Cody, Hillary, me, Jessica, and Marissa.




So there is this thing called 'The Squeeze." Basically, you hop of a boat and into water. Then you wade through a stream and to this waterfall and then to this supposedly hot hot-springs. During that wading, you also have to wiggle on through rock crevices and climb over trees. This is me wiggling through the rocks - see where 'squeeze' comes in?