Move to Dunedin

At the end of the week of the earthquake, we all decided we would travel around the South Island while uni was still closed. They promised 3 weeks at least of no lectures, so we were going to head to Dunedin, then to some of the major sights down south.

We were about to rent a car for the trip when I received a convenient message from a girl from Johnstown, NY. She lived about an hour from me in a town called Akaroa, and needed to sell her car. Long story short, we met her the next morning, bought the car, and took off for Dunedin. Before we got there, we received a call from Jane (our program director) that we have to transfer out of Canterbury if we want to get credit for uni. We all decided to transfer to Otago in Duedin.

Hi ho Silver, Awaaaaaaay!

Earthquake

Tuesday February 22, 2011 at 12.51 pm, a 6.3 earthquake struck near Lyttleton, NZ. It was only 4km outside of where we were, and we felt it for sure. My room was trashed: shelves on the floor, dishes shattered, and some scared flatemates. Fortunately, everyone was fine. All the Arcadia people became more of a big family as we all had dinner together each night, and slept over at my flat to be safe together.

Christchurch

When we got to Christchurch, we unloaded all our stuff in our new flats, and checked out the lay of the land. Got cell phones, bought food, and set up our rooms.

I met two of my new flat mates:

 Kendall from Washington DC.

(I don't have a picture)

Ben from Wellington

A few days later I met:

Jaisah from Australia

and lovely Kate from the UK =]

All the international students went to orientation for a few days. Classes began on Monday the 21st of February.

We were able to see a lot before class:

• Sumner Beach
• Downtown Christchurch
• The Cathedral
• Hike Taylor's Mistake
• and others

We had a big Arcadia family dinner where I (along with some others) cooked for the group. It was great, we had some new friends over and had some good food and wine.

Rafaela, an Arcadia Wellington student I met at orientation, came down to visit with her friend Erik Jacobson. They stayed with us, then went tramping (hiking) at Mt. Cook. Erik is a fellow ski bum.

p.s. Beer out here is horrible, and insanely expensive. Wine on the other hand, is about $7 a bottle for pretty good wine!

First steps in NZ

10-2: We landed in Auckland, got off the plane, got into a bus, and drove to our Hotel in downtown Auckland. We unloaded our gear then walked around town with Christchurch and Wellington Arcadia students, Jane, Alex, Kate, and Chandra our group leaders. They did everything they could to keep us awake all day to get adjusted to the time change (18 hours ahead).

We had some food, did some sight seeing, and went to a few interesting pubs that night.

11/12-2: We got on a bus again, drove to a town called Matamata to get lunch, then continued on to Rotorua. We went straight to a NZ animal experience, then to our hotel. We went Zorbing (http://www.hakatours.com/images/Zorb%20Triple%20Hydro.jpg), saw a geyser and some hot springs, and got to experience Maori culture (the indigenous Polynesian people of NZ). 

We spent a few days there, said our goodbyes to the other people at orientation who weren't going to Canterbury, then flew to Christchurch on the 13th of February.

Leaving the US

My flight to LA went smooth. I got there, got a beer with Noah and another girl in our program Jackie. We hung out for a while, then hopped on our 14 hour flight to Auckland, NZ.

On the flight, I sat next to a cute Cali girl named Lauren. She was super nice and is my first Christian buddy!

14 hours went pretty fast. I watched That's It, That's All a few times to get me excited for NZ (and made me miss leaving the great snow season I was having). The in seat displays had a lot of choices, Lauren and I had some good conversations (until she passed out for the rest of the flight = P), and I was able to sleep as well for a good portion. Food was meh, but we were in Auckland before I knew it.

We were surprised with a beautiful sunrise over the Pacific in the morning though..

Colorado

Saturday, Mike and I went to Keystone. 11' of fresh, great day riding in the woods. Tele'ed the whole day. For $5, we hopped in a cat at the top of the mountain, were dropped off above the alpine line, and skied some fresh tracks. Late in the day, we met up with Noah Gorka, a fellow RITer, who is also going to New Zealand with me. Noah and I met on Facebook a few weeks back, skied at Gore for one run together, and somehow planned a trip to Denver the same time as me. Small world.

Sunday, Mike and I got up super early to beat traffic, and made our way to Arapahoe Basin. 12' of fresh once again. We got there, strapped in, and went right to the summit. We went straight to the Montezuma Bowl, and rode some 22' fresh tracks. Most amazing, thrilling day of skiing yet. 60 degree pitch, chest deep in tele turns, bluebird day.

Montezuma Bowl:

Later that night we went to Ant's bar and had some food and drinks. Ant hooked me up with some local beer for a taste test (Fat Tire, Arrogant Bastard, my first true Half&Half (Harp and Guiness) and a few others).

Monday, Mike had to work Monday, so I dropped him off and took off in the blazer to Loveland. Hands down, best day of skiing I have ever had. Sky was puking all day. 10' of fresh every run. I met up with some random guy on the lift, we got talking, and he showed me around the mountain a little. First run, we poached a line in the highest bowl and rode some super steep fresh snow, then went in the trees for the rest of the day. The runs were nicely protected from the wind, but the snow was able to keep coming through. Long steeps in waist deep. My kind of way to end the season.

I also was able to get an invite for a back country traverse on my way home from NZ from him. So hopefully the snow is still decent in Summit County in July!

After I got home, Mike wasn't feeling well so I subbed for him and play indoor soccer with Ant and their team. 3 days straight of skiing, being out of shape, and the high altitude kicked my butt.

Over all, this trip was fantastic. It was so great to catch up with Mike and Ant, I miss those guys, and skiing the west for my first time wasn't too bad either...

This morning Ant dropped me off at the airport for my flight to LA (after flowing me the new Rat King album!)

Beginning of my trip

The trip to NZ started off with a drive to Rochester with Mom and Dad for a few days. I got to see Ry, Kasey, Phil, Sherianne, and Steph. Ryan and I went snowboarding with our friend Tom Kent at Bristol the night before I left.

I flew out of Rochester because I flew JetBlue. They had a good package for checking ski equipment and large amounts of luggage. Rochester was the most convenient airport with everyone living close by.

Flight was from Rochester to Denver where Mike DeLilli was there to pick me up.

First Post

Hey everyone,

I'm starting up a blog to outline my trips out here. Feel free to email me and give me some pointers as to what you would like to hear or the stuff you do enjoy.

Can't wait to see everyone in July!

These guys too:

Cheers,
Mitch