Why I Talk to Strangers: A Reflection on Costa Rica

There are certain disadvantages that come with traveling that, for the sake of our peace of mind, we tend to omit. The disadvantages stem further than  the nineteen hour plane ride that we will complain about or the ludicrously heavy bags we have managed to pack. While those might be inconvenient they are not the concerns of the frequent traveller, the nomad or the third-culture kid.

The Life and Death Brigade, Exotic Fruit Platters, White Water Rafting and Why I am Running Out of Gigabytes

If human memory is stored the same way a computer’s is than I’m afraid a dangerous amount of my hypothetical gigabytes goes to storing sitcom dialogue.

Why J.R.R Tolkien Got It Wrong

Though in my heart of hearts, I know New Zealand was not the true inspiration for the Lord of the Rings series, I cannot get it through my brain that this gorgeous country of rolling hills, snow-topped mountains and ginger beer was not in mind when Middle Earth was dreamed up. For some reason it really bothers me that the series was created with Europe as a backdrop instead of the Land of the Long White Cloud. You see, it doesn’t bother me because of some belief that the movies weren’t accurate enough or whatever but rather because NZ is so obviously better matched for the story it angers me that Tolkien didn’t see it that way.

Photo Creds to Lindsay Clark of Nomadder Where

Roundhead Studios: One of Them

 

Last Friday, the musicians of TGS were given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to record a song at Roundhead Studios. The Studios have been the setting for the recording of Kiwi artists such as ‘Fat Freddy’s Drop’ and ‘Broods’ in the past. This musical group, called the Vagabond Vibes, performed their original arrangement, a mashup of Ben Howard’s “Only Love” and Rihanna’s “Stay,” with accompaniment of guitar, organ, bass, and drums. The eight-hour session was a thrilling learning experience for all the students, and this music video seeks to encapsulate that energy. A special thanks to Roundhead Studios, including Jeremy McPike and Scott Seabright, as well as coordinators Clare Fletcher and Joann McPike.

Shutters and Suitcases

I wrote the following while on a trip to the ‘Geothermal Wonderland’ of Rotorua with the ‘Fellowsheep’ I noticed how many pictures we were all taking of something that was not particularly engaging and started to ponder what these pictures meant and why we were taking them. All photos in this piece were taken by me using my film camera. 

We have the heavy- duty over-packers philosophy when it comes to taking pictures. We click that freeze button so many times the action becomes meaningless. stuffing memories into a suitcase packed full with similar experiences just in case we ever need them for later. The suitcase has no limits so we don’t value the space.

Quotes from New Zealand

“The best places on earth are those without cell phone reception”

– guide on Sand Duning

Shadows engulfing the mundane

New experiences sell. It is easy to get explorers excited about doing something they have never done before.

This past week we had our first WeXplore in New Zealand. We visited the Bay of Plenty with a fantastic group we called the Fellowsheep and an unbelievable itinerary including things like Hobitton and Caving. Compared with these brilliant activities, I wasn’t as excited for kyaying. 

ReLAX only not….

I have never been a patriotic person. Until it comes time for the Fourth of July in which case, I feel like not wearing red white and blue sort of risks somebody using their spurs on you. But apart from when I was craving a California roll or attempting to stream movies without Netflix, I didn’t really miss the USA very much.

Up to Bat

As I project for my English class, I was asked to create a blog post informing Hiroshima’s tourists of the sights. I chose to go to one of Japan’s number one baseball team’s games. This team is no other than the Hiroshima Carps. Throughout the project I was lucky enough to obtain an interview with Kenta Kurihara, one of the team’s players. This article was created with the intention of being posted to GetHiroshima, a website that provides a much needed guide to the tourists of Hiroshima.

Life on Other Hairnets?

I have come to the conclusion that hairdressers as a whole, and they do seem to be rather interlinked don’t they?, are fascinated and rather obsessed with space.