Dec. 23 -- Queenstown

Dec. 23
Queenstown
Sombrero's Mexican Cantina

NZ continues to blow my mind. I talked to these local high schoolers from Glenorchy (Glenorchy is like Point Reyes Station). These kids were so damn mature, courteous, and wordly, I was totally surprised. You'd think in some end-of-the-road they'd be hicks or burnouts -- or at least, hate where they live -- but they were were totally stoked to be living there b/c of all the outdoor offerings. One had an Olympian skiier Mom and they had basically been raised tramping, skiing, etc...

Three things these kids told me really stand out as distinctly NZ:

First, they kept talking proudly about a 2 week outward bound-style wilderness trip that their high school is famous for in NZ. They said that they have friends who had transferred to the school just so they could do the trip! Thinking of my Big City Mountaineers youth, I am so impressed that the average kiwi public high schooler would be so excited to go on a demanding 2-week backcountry experience.

Second, they said that Lake Wakapittiu (whatever) is the only lake in the world that has noticeable tides! ~ 16 cm!

Third, their classmate gets dropped at high school in a helicopter. !!!!!