Today we spent the day learning how to cross a river with the Christchurch Tramping Club. Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures- cause it was super wet! I am not just talking getting your feet a little damp- we were in up to our armpits in some cases, and the current was quick. I lost my footing a couple times and floated down- but we learned how to do so with a heavy pack (which floats in the water). Drowning is the "New Zealand" death because it is so common (due to the eraticness of their streams and rivers). The biggest lesson was that it's best to be prepared to wait it out if it is too dangerous- until the river goes down and becomes passable (which often happens in just a few hours, or overnight).
We were soaked- but we can't just throw our clothing in the drier. We don't have one. They are very uncommon here. People are quite proud that they live like the settlers. Also, it is quite common to see people walking around without shoes. People of all ages- in malls, on the streets- everywhere- walking around shoeless.
The first picture is part of our backyard. The second picture is Brad's department at the University of Canterbury (the School of Maori, Social and Cultural Studies in the College of Education). He spent Thursday and Friday at an orientation there.
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