Trip to Thames..

Today I felt a lot better and more comfortable with everyone/everything. There's always the kind of awkwardness associated with a new group of people, especially when we're living in such close proximity to each other and ALWAYS with each other, but it's definitely getting better. Some "team building" games in which we had to climb over each other and through each others' legs always helps I guess haha.

After all kinds of orientation stuff today we went to Thames for our swim test. It was in an indoor pool thankfully (as it was miserably cold and rainy today) and only involved swimming about 400 meters without touching the bottom. A few of us that finished early played volleyball on the side which was fun. After we got dressed again we headed to "downtown" Thames which is just a little strip that looks like the wild wild west in that old gold mining town sort of way, with the backdrop of a tropical island. It really was quite the contrast. Of course, there was a shopping center of sorts not far away with a huge grocery store that we all took advantage of. After a little wink and nudge from Maree and Sally (field leaders) we headed to the store to scope out our bargain alcohol. The choices were endless and almost all of us were incredibly giddy for the pure fact that this is obviously something we do not have the luxery of doing at home. After probably 20 minutes we all settled on a different case, vowing to make trades later so everyone can try everything. I settled for a case of hard apple cider, with New Zealand grown apples, of course :)

The drive back was really fun. Everyone in our van was getting along very well and joking and dreaming about all the cool things we're going to do. As we got closer to Whakatiwai, Sally showed us the other boundaries of where we can explore without getting a sign out sheet. We actually have a pretty good deal of freedom and if we go southwest of town by bike, we really get into the hills. Lush green hills! It's all pastureland for the most part, but the policy is pretty much "leave the gate as it was" and the farmers won't kick you out. In fact, they'll probably point you to the best trails or the nearest watering hole. I love this place. So Chris, Paul, and I were talking about taking the bikes out the first opportunity we have, I can't wait! (Even if they are just clunky old hybrid bikes, I still feel so much better on two wheels than two feet).

Anyway, big day ahead of me tomorrow. Up for the sunrise again then going for a 4-5 mile run with some of the other girls. Perhaps I'll start posting my running distances in km to make it sound more impressive?

The photo above is my roommate Kate and I on the porch of our humble abode :)