Just Chillaxin in Nelson

On your marks. . .get set. . .GO! (That's just for Mel and my parents who are in this race to leave the first comment on each one of my blogs.) Good luck to all parties involved!

So, I've been here in Nelson for the past few days just hanging with my good friends Kris and Bruce. It's been really fun hanging out with them, and it looks as if I'll be in this general area for a bit of time to come. However, in the past couple days, I haven't done a whole lot worth writing about. But just to keep you all in the loop, and to show you that I haven't fallen off the face of the earth (yet) I'm writing this blog.

I suppose the few things that I have done in these few days are as follows. You wouldn't believe this, but the topographic center of New Zealand is about a 10 minute drive away from Kris and Bruce's house, and then a quick 15 minute hike to the top of a hill. Funny how the topographic center of New Zealand just happens to lie directly on the top of a mountain, instead of somewhere on the side of the hill. I bet they fudged it a bit. But hey, who am I to say?

Also Kris and I went and watched Bruce play a pick up game of NZ field hockey. This is an interesting game, if you've ever seen one. It's played outdoors on an astroturf field that is about the size of a soccer field. There are then 15 people on each team that run around hitting a baseball (more or less) around the field trying to get it into the goal. More or less it is like floor hockey, that we played in Gym class. However, you are only allowed to use one side of this strange looking hockey stick too. So, after watching this game, I decided I like our hockey better. ;) Oh that's right, they also call "football" "gridiron." Man, they are upside down, down here. :)

And finally Bruce and I went out on the town one night and played some pool. It is a little difficult to get out with both Kris and Bruce considering they have this wonderful little 11-month year old named Ayva. So for that reason I have to share my time between the both of them. But hey, at least they are being responsible parents right?

So, like I said, not a lot to talk about, but hopefully my next blog will be way more exciting! I am about to leave on two tramps. The first being a 4 day walk, and the second being a 7 day walk back to the car. It should be really fun, so wish me luck! It's a really long time in the back country!

And finally, I keep running into hitches with my planned skydive, but definitely keep checking back on my progress with that! Very soon, I'll be hurtling myself out of planes for my much needed adrenaline rushes!