Rainy Days

Thursday I had my morning jade carving session. It was quite intensive and hands-on. I had to draw the design I wanted, trace it onto a slab of jade, carve it, sand it, buff it, and polish it. I was at the studio for five hours. I chose to carve a leaf. I was originally going to carve a koru, or Maori spiral, because I like what it symbolizes - new growth and beginnings - but decided against it. Jade spirals are found in every shop in New Zealand, and I wanted something unique. I would have liked to do a NZ fern, but the intricacy and delicate nature of the design would have made for a grueling carving session. I was happy with my leaf though and for only 90NZD, it's a big hunk of genuine NZ jade. In shops, something this size would cost around 150NZD. It's not as professional as the shops, it has a sort of rough, handmade look to it, but that's what makes it mine.

That night I met an American girl, Meredith from D.C., whom I joined for a few drinks with friends of hers. It's so strange traveling because you meet people and become friends so quickly. Friendships made on the road are like shooting stars - a burst that fades quickly. You become fast friends only to utter goodbye the next day or that same night. We may meet up again in Queenstown or Christchurch in a week or so but you never can tell what will happen.

I was supposed to go on the glacier walk on Friday, the main attraction in Franz Josef, but I woke up feeling subpar, probably due to my late night antics, so I postponed the trip until today. I decided throwing up on the glacier wouldn't make for a worthwhile experience. After half a loaf of buttered toast, advil, and some sleep I was feeling better and extremely happy I had postponed - I never would have made the walk. They would have had to slide me down the side of the glacier to get me home.

I ended up hiking the glacier walk today instead. Let me say it ordinarily would have been a great hike, filled with challenging climbs, and beautiful views. But on this particular day it was just a wet, miserable ascent. It rained the entire time we were on the glacier. Sometimes it would stop for a brief moment so I could take a picture, but it would surely start a few minutes later. I had decided to do the full day hike, which I now wish I hadn't, so we left the activity center at 9:30 and didn't return until 5:30. I looked like a drowned rat by the end of the hike. I was completely soaked through as if I had jumped into a pool, and my feet were swimming in my "waterproof" boots. I'm sure the hike would have been fantastic on a bright, sunny day, but all I could focus on today was how much I wished I were elsewhere. The highlight of the day was probably eating lunch in the pouring rain with no shelter - I wouldn't trade that for anything.