Friends. I have news.
People
drive on the right side of the roads in the US. There are no switches on the
outlets. There aren’t two buttons to flush the toilets. And it’s summer with
very little (well, NONE) of that charming Wellington wind.
Yes, friends. I’m
home once again. And it is just the strangest. But it is also so, so good. And
I’m so grateful to be sitting on my couch writing this, safe and sound.
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| Madeline, Lyssa and I had a *fantastic* lunch view on our Red Rocks hike. |
Our last week in
Wellington was full of adventures, large and small. For me, our last weekend in
Wellington was the best one, and I can’t recommend (1) hiking the Red Rocks,
and (2) Adrenalin Forest enough! Red Rocks were beautiful, and our hike was fun
and just so rewarding. The Adrenalin Forest pushed me in so many ways; I’m
never felt so weak OR so strong, all at once.
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| Hannah, killin' it and looking effortlessly lovely at Adrenalin Forest. |
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| Hanging by a thread #AdrenalinForestHadMeLike |
During our last week
in Wellington, we all made a big push to finish strong at our internships,
completing major tasks and tying up loose ends. We enjoyed a wonderful
home-cooked meal at Anna’s apartment (which has an incredible view of the city!
We were all so jealous.) for our farewell dinner, and reminisced about our time in
Wellington.
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| My favorite fellow Enspiral intern. |
We did our very best
to make the most of our last few days, officially solidifying our “regular”
status at the Library Bar, making one last trip to the Night Market, and
soaking up our last adventures with our NEIP group.
Early Saturday, we
officially said goodbyes and went our separate ways throughout the day, and
headed home (or to further New Zealand adventures!).
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| Heading home! (@4am after technically my first-ever all-nighter. #blessed #tired) |
Now at home,
unpacking and repacking for my next adventure coming up VERY soon here, I’m not
experiencing as much reverse culture shock as I thought I would, but I find
myself noting how things are done differently here once or twice a day; constantly
referring to New Zealand events or inside jokes; and figuring what time it is
in Wellington and wondering what my friends who are still kiwi-ing along are up
to these days.
I really don’t have
words for how much my time in New Zealand meant to me. But it was SUCH an
adventure and I am different in so many ways since my adventure began six weeks ago. I’ve
been thankful to get to share my stories and photos with the world here on the
NEIP blog; I hope you’ve been enjoying reading along. :)
If you are Massey
faculty or staff, thank you for all you did and do to make this program a
success. If you are a kiwi, please know just how much I loved and love your
amazing, beautiful home country. And if you haven’t yet been to New Zealand—well,
GO! What are you waiting for?!
Till next time, cheers!
AmanDino
