Holiday with a Lovely Hobbit Lass
Before our holiday, we stayed with our friend (hereafter referred to as "Swaggins," short for Bilbo Swaggins) in Lower Hutt. Our mid-week day off led to ice skating at a nearby rink. Kili wanted to do go-kart racing, but alas, the price was too prohibitive. We spent three hours with the skating rink to ourselves. Kili and Swaggins raced in circles and attempted pirouettes, while Tauriel dedicatedly studied her skates for fear of falling. (Not very elf-like, I'm afraid - but an adventure!)The three of us were then left to plan our holiday break further up the North Island, while the students of our company still had homework to complete before the end of the week. After two late nights of analyzing six productions a piece (a new book started and completed, in Tauriel's case), and sixteen hours spent in the school's sewing room - we reached our weekend!
We had our travel plans, for the most part, decided. We would drive up to Napier to stay with Swaggins' family, and a couple days later, meet in Gisborne for a school field trip that would be five days long before our actual holiday. Swaggins' family was welcoming, most likely the warmest hobbit-y family we had yet to meet. Both Kili and I felt like close kin, and with a house of many artists, we scouted out the nearest craft stores. A really cool shop called Aaron's Emporium is where I was able to source some trimming and charms for my current work in progress, and Kili was able to find blue corduroy for a project still in the planning process. The best find, though, had to be the sheepskin shop Swaggins took us to. The three of us spent nearly an hour and a half gushing over the bargain finds of leather and fur scrap bags. We traded ideas for pieces we could incorporate into our characters' outfits, as well as assisting Swaggins with inspiration on how to craft her hood.
Pavlova, custard, and hokey-pokey ice cream are some of the desserts we've tried, as well "Goody Goody Gumdrop" ice cream.
My favorite dessert, though, has to be the pumpkin pie Kili made, with the Hokey Pokey ice cream! Yum! (Although, just recently, I tried a really delicious sweet that I want to say was a sort of fudge - almost like hokey pokey or butterscotch flavor, but no definite certainty on what it was.)
After the lolly shop, we explored the coastal walkway, basking in oceanic splendor again (something I will surely miss when I return to the States), and enjoyed a walk through opulent arrangements of colorful flowers. The two of us goofed around while Swaggins photographed us, and her mom led the way back while we four hopped on the stone wall and balanced our way back.
You know as a child when your parents reprimanded you for walking on the curb/wall in fear you would fall? We walked the whole length, and I didn't slip once! Of course, I'm an elf, so I have grace... *hides behind Kili who raises her eyebrows*
I think the three of us were quite sad to leave Napier so soon; it was a homey place. We had to remind ourselves that we would be stopping through again, but even so, we were nervous about the school trip, as we still didn't know quite what to expect.
We were on our way to our first Marae. Sadly I don't have any pictures to show for our time there, but it was a beautiful area outside of Gisborne. Tons of green hills and farmlands decorated the land outside the Maori village (as we had driven past our turn by mistake and continued for about 8 km, I think I can speak for its local surroundings). The Marae itself lay beyond a verdantly green field, and sat before a cornfield where feral kittens could often be spotted playing and peering out at us. The initial energy of the large group suggested anxiety and tension, but once the Powhiri ceremony had concluded (during which Toi Whakaari and the resident Maoris alternately reached out to each other, the speakers "chasing each other's energy"), the atmosphere grew gentle and embracing.
I can't speak for the rest of my company's thoughts on the trip, but I found it very eye opening. The students were open to share, helping you see through their eyes what it meant to be an artist. They had different ways of expressing themselves as to what made them passionate or inspired them, but they were also excited to hear their fellow student's thoughts and arguments on certain topics. It was very open, which to me, was unexpected. I'm not a student at their school either, but I felt very accepted during this trip, and enjoyed being able to witness the growth and connection between everyone. I also felt honored to be included in the lessons about the Maori culture, and sharing in their singing and dance (Kapa-haka).
Best of all - Kili and I realized we have the greatest circle of friends here in New Zealand, and we love them all to bits!
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