Across the World!

Hello from Dunedin!

I am finally all moved into my flat, which is right off campus. It is a cute little gated house, and we are on the top floor (it is like 4 or 5 flats in a house). I have four roommates, but only my kiwi host is here right now. My other roommates will be arriving right before registration on the twentieth. I have my own room, with a desk, dresser and double bed. I have been spending most of my time getting organized and running around town.















On Sunday, a group of us went to St. Clair beach, which is a 10 minute bus ride. The waves were HUGE and there were riptides...even after swimming for 10 years, I decided to sit on a towel and watch the crazy surfers. haha.













On Monday, we caught the bus to go to Larnach Castle, which is supposedly the only castle in the southern hemisphere (were doubtful of this). We got off the bus to find out we had a 4km (45minute) walk up a STEEP hill. haha. It made arriving at the castle ten times better. The lookout from the castle is amazing, but we saw rain and fog. haha. Then we hiked back down the hill to catch the bus home. It was quite an adventure!

We have also been spending a lot of time in town. The main center of town is in the shape of an octagon and there are restaurants and stores everywhere. It is a nice 15 minute walk from my flat.

Everyone in New Zealand is friendly! I love their accents and have been trying to pick up on their slang... cheers, sweet as (meaning cool or sweet... we don't understand why it isn't sweet as candy or something, but nz is a place of its own... haha), hire out (rent out), skull (chug).. etc!

Tomorrow the Institute for Study Abroad is hosting an event. We are taking a bus to the peninsula to see the penguins and seals and then back to Dunedin for dinner. It will be great to catch up with everyone. My friends and I rented a car for the next five days. We are planning to do some day hikes in the Catlins and then a road trip along the coast of the southern part of the island, stopping at some sweet places. I will be sure to blog after that!