My flatmates all drove to Queenstown with a crew of friends on Wednesday and Thursday. Alex and I decided to hitch hike so there was room in the car for all the gear.
We were dropped off just outside of Dunedin by our mate Dylan, picked up by a taxi driver who gave us a free lift on her way to pick up a client, then picked up by an Israeli soldier who was traveling around NZ for a while. He brought us to Milton where we hopped in with a Saudi Arabian student on his way to Arrowtown. We got out in Cromwell where we then got a lift by an Aussie who works for Treble Cone ski field. He brought us to Wanaka where we got some stuff and hung out for a bit. Then continued on where we watched sunset over Lake Wanaka as we walked out of town. We were picked up by a chick on her way through the Cardrona pass to just before Queenstown, and dropped off there. Then picked up by two girls heading to Winterfest in Queenstown who brought us right to all our mates. Total success and there in time for dinner with everyone.
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| Left to right: Back - Matt, Taylor, Noah, Jackie, Kate, Lauren, Laura Middle - Preston, Ryan, Me, Jess Front - Abby |
Winterfest in Queenstown was nuts. So many people out at the bars, live music, fireworks, ice skating, parades, everything you could ask for as a winter enthusiast. Queenstown is a winter getaway town, but with no snow, everyone is stuck inside just waiting. People come from all over the world to ski and work in Queenstown in the winter, so when there is a festival celebrating winter, they get wild and have a blast. It was so much fun. I said goodbye to Matt, Ryan, Preston, Abby, and Taylor and managed to keep it together. I'm really going to miss them.
Alex and I drove out to Aurthor's Point to crash with a mate of a mate that night. He was an awesome dude and lived in a beautiful spot.We got up and went back into Queenstown the next morning.
All of us met up with Jane Gunn-Lewis, our program director, to have breakfast and say goodbye. Then Alex hitchiked to Cromwell for a charity ball while we went to Snow Park NZ, the Mecca of terrain parks. I chatted up some really nice lady who turned out to be the general manager of all Snow Park. She was originally from Long Island and was excited to talk to a fellow Empire Stater. As you could have guessed, I got her contact info and she is mailing me some SWAG right now. I can't wait to come back again some day and ride there.
We continued through the pass to Wanaka, got some food, drank some beer, and played some pool at a great bar. It was Noah, Lauren, Jackie and I, and we spent our last night together relaxing and enjoying each other. What a way to go out.
We took off, picked up Alex from Cromwell, and headed back to Dunedin. We snuck into our old flat to sleep and shower, then in the morning packed again.
Got some breaky, Noah ran up Baldwin Street to complete a goal, said goodbye to 10 Mac and Wootie...
Then I took Noah, Jackie, and Lauren to the airport. It was sad to say goodbye, but what an absolute blessing to have met all of them. I can't wait for our reuinion this fall.
As for now, goodbye 10 Mac, it's been real. I love you guys.
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