January 21, 2006

Auckland Airport in Auckland, NZ:

What a trip! I’m nearly speechless. What a time it’s been here in New Zealand, hard work but enjoyable. We’ve nearly seen the entire North Island now and made our way back up to Auckland. Some are retreating to the States for Winter Break. Others, myself included, are staying an extra week, class-free to enjoy more of New Zealand.  I look forward to the coming week on our own, however, I know I’ll miss my new friends I’ve made these past few weeks. It always amazes me, despite Centre’s size, you can always meet new people and make new friends. You go on through the years thinking you know someone, and then you are brought together on something like a study abroad trip and you find you didn’t really know them, you just knew of them. After spending the time here in New Zealand, working as closely as I did with some of the folks on the trip really opened the doors to new relationships and I value the friendships that have been formed.  I know I’ll be apart from some of these new friends for only the next week, but exploring New Zealand away from them just won’t be the same. My only hope now is that when I do return, I will be able to stay in contact with them on campus, and that the new friendships will flourish. Fare thee well my friends.  Hello South Island!