Wai-te-ata and Guy Fawkes

OK, I am officially back in the connected world.  I have been so busy lately that I finally have a chance to relax now!  I took a tour through the south island with my mom (look for more detailed posts on that later), and ever since I got back to Wellington I feel like I haven’t even had time to sleep.

One reason I have been so busy is that I have officially moved out of my old flat to a new one.  I am so happy about this change.  My old flat was fine, but it was small and dirty and not well furnished.  Also, while I was friendly with my flatmates, we weren’t friends, and it was weird for me to not live with real friends.  Now, I am in a much bigger flat.  It is more like a townhouse.  The first level has the kitchen and living room, and they are a huge upgrade from Mckenzies.  It is completely furnished, so we have furniture and a TV and pots and pans and cooking utensils.  There is also a TON of storage space for food and a large storage cubby for all of our luggage.  The next level has two bedrooms and a bathroom, and the third level also has two bedrooms and a bathroom.  The bathrooms are nicer, and my room is twice as big as mine in Mckenzies.  I am on the top level, and I share it with a Swiss student named Nina.  Claudia and Meredith, two of my friends from Wellington, live on the second floor.  It is so nice to live with friends again.  This flat is also above the Terrace, so it has amazing views of the city.  My room doesn’t look out over the city (it faces the carpark), but it is OK because it is a little bigger than the rooms on the other side.  Also, I get to people watch because everyone walks by my window.  I love it.  We all moved in yesterday, and we are planning a housewarming party eventually.

Of course, my address has changed.  Also, I don’t know my new landline, but you can still reach me on my mobile.  My postal address is:
Katie Roan
Flat 7
15 Wai-te-ata Road
Kelburn
Wellington
New Zealand

Send me mail!

Between moving out of Mckenzies and into Wai-te-ata, it was time to celebrate Guy Fawkes Day here in New Zealand (and England, too, I think).  Now, this is the story.  Back in 1605, Guy Fawkes, among others, concocted a plan to blow up the British Parliament building.  It was intended to be the beginning of an uprising by the English Catholics, who were distressed about the religious laws of the time.  The local police were informed of the plot by an anonymous letter and thwarted the effort, and the fuse was never lit, so Parliament remained standing.  In New Zealand, the day used to be celebrated with bonfires and the burning of Guy Fawkes in effigy.  There would be contests to see who could make the best Guy Fawkes, and children would take him around town in wheelbarrows to collect donations to a local charity.  (“Penny for the Guy Fawkes.”)  Nowadays, bonfires are outlawed in an attempt to lessen the dangerous activities, so people celebrate by setting off fireworks.  Fireworks are only sold in the week preceding Guy Fawkes Day and are only legal for that time period.  The city also has a huge 15-minute display in the harbour.  I went with Mark and Anna down to the waterfront to watch it.  If you are around a radio, there is also a synchronised soundtrack broadcast.  It was like having the 4th of July in November.  I decided it was good to finally have a 4th of July celebration as we started class on 4 July this year.

OK, that’s it for now.  Detailed south island descriptions and pictures to be up … eventually.  And, of course, pictures of the new flat!