Exploring the Community

Today was our first Sunday in Kaikoura, and I was pretty excited to go to church. Half of us did a community clean up of the parks and areas around town, but the other half of us went to the Kaikoura New Life Church. The moment I walked into the church, I felt so welcome. There were only about 40 members max, so our group of almost 20 was a huge thing for them lol. They were so friendly and welcoming, though, that I felt right at home there. We were able to talk with some of them afterwards for a bit, and they were so eager to talk with us and learn about our studies over here. I loved it.

We had most of a free day after that, and Anela and I decided to go bike around the neighborhoods and near the base of the mountains for awhile. It was so cute because Anela hadn’t been bike riding in like 9 years I think she said, so I kinda had to teach her again how to ride a bike. That was really fun. We got some good pictures on that ride too. I really don’t think I can take enough pictures of the landscape around here. It’s gorgeous. I can’t even begin to describe it.

Since there was an open house tonight at the Convent, Anela and I decided to make a butter cake with a vanilla rum glaze – soo incredibly good – for the event. About half of the church members we met in the morning came over, along with several neigbors. And I just can’t believe how friendly and welcome these people are! I got invites to do everything with them. One lady wants to go out and play tennis with us, another wants to come by and give us a tour of the town, from an “insider’s” perspective, and another wants to go out to town with us some days to go play checkers. I thought that was cute. And I got invites to go learn how to play squash, and learn how to ride a horse English-style. I think that would be awesome. And we got some good tips on hiking and camping spots, and other things to do around town. I don’t think I have time to do everything I want to do down here!

I think everyone’s becoming more and more comfortable with one another as the days go by. We’ve only been here 5 days I think, but we’ve done so much in that time frame, and have all had amazing experiences together, that I think that’s helping us to relate to one another quicker. I still can’t get my mind around the fact that we’re here for 3 ½ months…wow! That’s so cool. I actually get to live in New Zealand for that long! Sweet. :)

Leah