The Journey Home and Beyond

Our 2016 Iwi at Takahanga Marae

Kia Ora.  Having been immersed in Kiwi and Maori culture for the past five weeks will now make the journey back to American culture another adventure.  Our students will take with them lasting memories of the challenges and opportunities of what not only New Zealand faces, but what the rest of the world faces as well.  Preserving biological diversity, conserving resources, and maintaining a balance between natural and human built environments are key to a sustainable future.  And, it will take all of us with our diverse backgrounds to come together in many different ways to help make lasting change for a bright future.

Dear students, we hope that what you have experienced with us in New Zealand will help shape the decisions you make for our future in exciting and positive ways.  We thank you for giving of yourselves openly with your hearts and minds so that our time together could be such a special learning opportunity for us all.  We have really enjoyed being with all of you, touring the wop-wops, and sharing a daily cuppa. Sweet As!

From the land of the long white cloud, safe and happy travels!  See you in the land of the flowers (La Florida).  With a Hongi and hug to each of you, Mark, Meryl, Jámm, and Tupelo

August 4th Already?!

Glad to not be heading out for a hike in cold rain, but bummed to be leaving, we decided to have breakfast together at Hillyers Cottage Café.  It was fun to have one more cuppa together before loading up the Gatrwaka one last time and heading out to the airport.  We hung out together for a little while playing cards and finding some last minute gifts, and, of course, we needed ANOTHER group photo before hugs and saying our goodbyes (for now).

We are all tired, sad to be leaving, and excited about our next travels and being home with loved ones.  Most everyone is back to their families in the States and Lauren and Emma will be traveling on to Australia for a few days before heading home, It has been a really fun time and we can't believe it is already time to go?!  Tonight, our driveway outside the flat looks empty without the Gatorwaka (Piwakawaka looks lonely without her buddy), and Lincoln Campus seems a little too quiet with the thought of our students not being just across the cricket and rugby fields. Love and hugs and safe travels, Meryl

Great teamwork from sunup to sundown

After a good night's sleep, we found ourselves tangled in a Gordian Knot as we started the day with low ropes team building activities.

After wizzing our way through our morning challenges, and lunch out at the local Indian restaurant, we met up with Sue Jarvis and other folks involved with Lincoln Envirotown Trust for a planting day at the Mahoe Reserve. It was a beautiful, warm and sunny afternoon to start to learn some of our native plants, and collectively we were amazed that in two short hours we planted 150 plants!  A fine contribution to our local environ's future.

This evening we enjoyed some World Famous In New Zealand L&P soda along with a traditional New Zealand dessert, Pavlova.  We even got to make the whipped cream for the cake, and play a little Heads Up.

All of this great teamwork fits right in with Maori Language week, which starts tomorrow, Kia kaha e hoa mā!

m&m : )