So yesterday was quite a day. Melanie Waterer (Ben's little sister) met up with me at the hostel. We've been emailing for a couple months now, but just met yesterday. We decided on a trip to the Wellington zoo. I was pretty excited to get to see a kiwi. Nicole decided to come with us too. So at about noon we headed up to the zoo. When we got there, Nicole had a phone call on her cell from home, so Melanie and I went in and started exploring. We went into the nocturnal house to see the kiwi's but after 10 minutes, we still couldn't pick one out, so we gave up. But fortunately, there was a giant kiwi right outside the house. They are very rare; it was being really still so I got a picture of Melanie with it (I will put that up when I can). Anyways, then Nicole met up with us, apparently she had befriended a zoo keeper because she was afraid of the zoo and what wild animals might be lurking around the corner, so Dion, a nice kiwi guy, helped her find us. Then we headed off the the African animals. The ostrich and zebras were in the same pen and running around in circles chasing each other. Ostriches running are pretty funny. We ended up at the kangaroos where we noticed that one had a joey in her pouch, which we decided to confirm with the guy cleaning the cage. Then Nicole had all kinds of questions about kangaroo mating patterns and was quite concerned that this girl in particular was too young to have a baby. After that educational experience, there was a show about baboons behind us. Wow did we have questions about the baboons (or in Melanie's words, the bamboos). Basically we learned that spousal abuse is the norm with baboons and if a lady isn't getting beaten enough she should divorce her husband and find a new more violent mate. We also realized that baboons also have a problem with over eating (one had her cheeks so stuffed full that you could see the outline of pieces of melon). And lastly, baboons are not modest creatures, they have no shame in
displaying their 'love' to everyone. Nicole (the good southern girl),
was somewhat appalled which got me and Melanie laughing pretty hard. After that we headed down to the chimps where one apparently had an issue with one of the guests and was through things over the top of the cage at him. The Dion (Nicole's zoo keeper) asked the man to leave the area to let the chimp calm down. Dion was giving a show on meer cats, so we headed over there. Not all the interesting, but it was cute watching Dion hit on Nicole. Then he took us down to show us the red panda, which was a disappointment for Melanie and Nicole as they were expecting a giant panda, but red (they are actually more like a red raccoon). So we were heading out after a great day at the zoo and of course, me being me, I decide to fall and hurt myself. I rolled my ankle of the edge of the path. At first I was like, oh no big deal, oh no wait, it's twice it's normal size. So Melanie and Nicole got me to the entrance of the zoo and then we called a cab and went to the hospital. What trip would be complete without a trip to the hospital? Long story-short, I have a very bad sprain and am supposed to be on crutches for a week (hopefully less). I must say, very impressed with the NZ medical system, everyone was so nice. So we returned to the hostel with crutches. Nicole and I went out for dinner to a place called Nicolini's. It was amazing. Gave Coco's and Pag's a run for their money as the best Italian restaurant.
Anyways, this morning, Melanie met me at the hostel and helped me get all my stuff to the ferry and we sailed across to Picton on the South Island. It is pouring rain, so we are going to skip the wine festival (bought our own bottle for tonight instead) and we are headed to Nelson tomorrow. I am very lucky to have met the people I have here. Everybody has been so nice and so helpful. Getting around on crutches sucks with luggage, but I'm managing. Anyways, Nelson should be good. Rest there for awhile and hopefully heal a little. Talk to you all soon. I will put pictures up soon including my trip to the hospital. Cheers
So yesterday was quite a day. Melanie Waterer (Ben's little sister) met up with me at the hostel. We've been emailing for a couple months now, but just met yesterday. We decided on a trip to the Wellington zoo. I was pretty excited to get to see a kiwi. Nicole decided to come with us too. So at about noon we headed up to the zoo. When we got there, Nicole had a phone call on her cell from home, so Melanie and I went in and started exploring. We went into the nocturnal house to see the kiwi's but after 10 minutes, we still couldn't pick one out, so we gave up. But fortunately, there was a giant kiwi right outside the house. They are very rare; it was being really still so I got a picture of Melanie with it (I will put that up when I can). Anyways, then Nicole met up with us, apparently she had befriended a zoo keeper because she was afraid of the zoo and what wild animals might be lurking around the corner, so Dion, a nice kiwi guy, helped her find us. Then we headed off the the African animals. The ostrich and zebras were in the same pen and running around in circles chasing each other. Ostriches running are pretty funny. We ended up at the kangaroos where we noticed that one had a joey in her pouch, which we decided to confirm with the guy cleaning the cage. Then Nicole had all kinds of questions about kangaroo mating patterns and was quite concerned that this girl in particular was too young to have a baby. After that educational experience, there was a show about baboons behind us. Wow did we have questions about the baboons (or in Melanie's words, the bamboos). Basically we learned that spousal abuse is the norm with baboons and if a lady isn't getting beaten enough she should divorce her husband and find a new more violent mate. We also realized that baboons also have a problem with over eating (one had her cheeks so stuffed full that you could see the outline of pieces of melon). And lastly, baboons are not modest creatures, they have no shame in 
displaying their 'love' to everyone. Nicole (the good southern girl), 
was somewhat appalled which got me and Melanie laughing pretty hard. After that we headed down to the chimps where one apparently had an issue with one of the guests and was through things over the top of the cage at him. The Dion (Nicole's zoo keeper) asked the man to leave the area to let the chimp calm down. Dion was giving a show on meer cats, so we headed over there. Not all the interesting, but it was cute watching Dion hit on Nicole. Then he took us down to show us the red panda, which was a disappointment for Melanie and Nicole as they were expecting a giant panda, but red (they are actually more like a red raccoon). So we were heading out after a great day at the zoo and of course, me being me, I decide to fall and hurt myself. I rolled my ankle of the edge of the path. At first I was like, oh no big deal, oh no wait, it's twice it's normal size. So Melanie and Nicole got me to the entrance of the zoo and then we called a cab and went to the hospital. What trip would be complete without a trip to the hospital? Long story-short, I have a very bad sprain and am supposed to be on crutches for a week (hopefully less). I must say, very impressed with the NZ medical system, everyone was so nice. So we returned to the hostel with crutches. Nicole and I went out for dinner to a place called Nicolini's. It was amazing. Gave Coco's and Pag's a run for their money as the best Italian restaurant. 
Anyways, this morning, Melanie met me at the hostel and helped me get all my stuff to the ferry and we sailed across to Picton on the South Island. It is pouring rain, so we are going to skip the wine festival (bought our own bottle for tonight instead) and we are headed to Nelson tomorrow. I am very lucky to have met the people I have here. Everybody has been so nice and so helpful. Getting around on crutches sucks with luggage, but I'm managing. Anyways, Nelson should be good. Rest there for awhile and hopefully heal a little. Talk to you all soon. I will put pictures up soon including my trip to the hospital. Cheers
2 comments:
Happy...Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday to you!!! So, I just realized that you've been writing in your blog without sending your fan club update emails. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Good for you with the table dancing. I'm a proud friend now. It sounds like your having a great time. Keep the entries coming and have a great birthday babe.
lots of love,
Jen
Ps. I got the Venture Europe job!
Whoa!!! I didn't read it well enough the first time (the pictures were a give away.) I can't believe you hurt yourself! Crazy!!! I like how you're wearing your A shirt. You know what A is for Ali? Hahaha. Glad you have nice people there to help you out!
jen
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