Day Twenty Nine

They have a saying in Oz, "Never chase a 'roo into a desert-fox hole without leaving a trail of vegemite to follow on your way out". Basically it means you shouldn't induldge in something good for too long without considering what might happen to you down the road. I feel like I've had a really great trip. I've gotten drunk pretty much every night except 3 times adn I've got to see a lot of places that I've wanted to see for a long time. I've made some lifelong friends and some great business contacts for when I'm finished my thesis to get in touch with when I'm on the market. Best of all I've been exposed to some new sports and I've been exposed to another culture that inriches my knowledge of my culture. I've also got a killer tan:)!!

But I'm glad that I'm leaving now, it's time to come home. It feels like I've been gone for months so it's hard to believe taht it's only been 29 days. Seems only appropriate that the length of my trip equals that of the days in a leap year February - since just like that quadrennial correction, this trip feels as if it has provided a slight check to my design, if you will. Today for me is your tomorrow, and technically I'm already home (you should hear a Kiwi pronounce 'technically', it's a riot). It's as if I've been given a discount of 17 hours, a bona fide coupon, as it were, or is, or whatever - that is to say, in my opinion, upon arrival at PET International Airport I will be in possession of a redeemable voucher for 17 hours saved during travel, that I can choose to spend as I see fit. The whole notion is dizzying to consider, since, by definition, the time I decide upon will then be retroactively awarded to me. That is to say, I could pick up heroin for the day, if I saw fit - and so long as I cleaned up within 17 hrs, the whole thing could be written off, so to speak. Which is not to say that I would dream of wasting this gift on something so sordid, so indolent, so weak - just that it is my privilege to do so, if I see fit.

So that's all for me for now - I've had a great trip here and I cant wait to come back. But I'd be lying if I said I wasnt' tired of keeping up this blog. It's been great, but it's tough too. Let's just say I'll be glad when I can tell everyone about my trip face to face, rather than over the internet.

Conor

Day Twenty-Eight in Australia

Having a great time in NZee but I got a couple of really weird emails today that kind of put a damper on my super mood. First one was from Jono. It was really weird, he was very angry with me and accused me of using him while I was in Oz and he said I was selfish and actually mean. I was taken aback. We sort of had a falling out my last week there but I never knew I hurt his feelings. He said that even though I was only there for a short time he thought we bonded and were going to be lifelong friends but he said that obviously I didn't feel the same and that I was using him for his SUV and splifeys and just taking advantage of his good times. I mean I kind of was doing all that, Jono is a bit of a turd but we had great times together and even though Ill never see him again (or even respond to his little girl email) but I still feel awkward about it. The last thing he said was that it's the Queen's birthday but that I was the real bitch...
Speaking of awkward the second bizzare email was from Nicole. Wow, I havent heard from her in a long time, like 8 months or something. She didnt say much she just said that we need to talk when I get back. I dont even know how she knew I was in Australia. I am really looking forward to being home again but not looking forward to dealing with her.
Well Im off to a sheep farm to see how it all works. See you all soon ':()

Day Twenty-Seven

I wish that the mining company had an office in Kiwiland because it is way better than Oz in my opinion. Not just because this was where they made LOTR but I feel like the Kiwis (New Zealanders) are better people overall. I think that they can drink more and that they are better at sports. They're also way more accepting of different races. In Kiwiland they treat the aboriginals way better than the way they do in Oz. For instance in Kiwiland the Maori dance called the "haka" is that officail dance of the national rugby team. Everytime they play a game the rugby team does this dance which reminds them of their roots and how important it is to understand the indian culture of your country (I think Canada could learn a thing or two!!). Teh "haka" is traditionally a war dance but now they do it for all sorts of events that have nothing to do with war. Usually it was a dance for only men but since the wonderful Maori movie "Whale Riders" where a little girl fought for her right to do the "haka". So now whenever the women Kiwis do the "haka" they're called Whale Riders. So today I went to see a rugby game by myself:( Don't worry though, everybody si so friendly in Kiwiland, its like living in a small town). At the beginning of the game the players started doing the "haka" and everybody joined in. These guys (I can't remember their names) showed me all the moves. You're supposed to stick your tongue out in order to be fierce to scare away your enemies (my tongue looked extra fierce because I had a bunch of red wine with breakfast so it was really purple). There's a bunch of words but you can just make a bunch of grunting noises if you don't know them.

The rugby game was crazy! The guys are so big and they hit each other so hard! I wish I was that muscular. My goal when I get home is to do more body-building cause I think that Montreal is full of really scrawny guys. I also want to start up a rugby team when I get home. If anyone is interested just let me know and I'll email you once I have more info.

Conor