Long Time, No See...

WOW! A long time since my last post, huh! New Zealand has its share of modern amenities, but broadband Internet connections in farm country isn't necessarily one of them. Getting back closer to a city or large town has its advantages, although the beauty of the rural areas is a sight to see.

Mt. Egmont. or Mt. Taraniki (depending on who you are and what you were brought up saying - I prefer Mt. Taranaki) is a dorment volcano on the west coast of central North Island. It is one that Sir Edmond Hillary braved and you are only allowed to the peak with proper support and equipment. We had a short bush tramp near its base, but forgot our ropes and carribeeners, so we didn't brave the slopes.

I was treated to a visit to a Marae nearby and was welcomed by Wendy, a friend I had meet a week and a half before during my visit to Auntie Olive's traditional Maori healing school near Wanganui. It was nice to see her familiar and smiling face and to meet the elders who had come there for her mirimiri healing.

A little further on down the line, we had a moment to wander around the observation area at the Te Apiti Wind Farm where the energy harnessed by the wind supplies electricity to the Manawatu region. The "wing span" of the turbines is said to be larger than a 747 airplane and makes an impressive whoosh as it spins.

Yesterday, I got on a horse for the first time in about 15 years and I am paying for it today! It was fun though and gave a new perspective on the area from horseback. Pete, my pony, was a slow-poke at first, but eventually got to a trot to play catch-up to the other horsies.

Fun with Sheep in Marton

Yep - I've shorn a sheep. I figured if I could purchase an Icebreaker tee shirt made of New Zealand Marino wool, I could shear a sheep. The sheep on Holly Farm are treated very well - only shorn once every nine months or so, and the rest of the time they live on beautiful hilly pastures with their only "predator" a barking dog to lead them in and out of their paddocks.

After the sheep are shorn, they are led into stalls and led down a "race", then "drafted" into seperate pens depending on their size, gender, condition, etc. The Kiwis had a good laugh at us Yanks trying to draft the sheep - it was quite a hootinanny for sure. I'd like to see the average Kiwi try THEIR hand at it too. Its not as easy as it looks!

After the sheep, we went on ATVs (I even drove one for a little distance) all over the beautiful hilly land. Had I known what I was getting in to I may have been a bit sheepish about it (ha ha ha), but I'm glad I went along for the adventure. There were beautiful vistas and some wicked good laughs.

Kapa Haka

The Kapa Haka is a traditional Maori greeting for visitors - kapa being the female movement and sound and haka being the male.

This was the Maori welcome for the Hudson Valley Group Study Exchabge visit to New Zealand in March, 2007 performed by the Kapa Haka group from Mana College in Wellington, NZ.

Thank you to the Plimmerton Club for this footage.

After Dessert

Steve and Alex and Paul will appreciate this one...I have only one word for it...

PICLETTE!

Wonderful and Windy Wellington

The Gould Family
My host family in Wellington, The Goulds, have been nothing short of spectacular - I relly feel like I have been welcomed to New Zealand with open arms and have been made to feel part of their family.

From left to right we have George and Phillippa ("Pip") Knight, the Gould's 7 month old grandson and daughter who are visiting from London, and then Janine and Nigel Gould with a view of Wellington behind them. This picture was taken atop Mount Victoria overlooking Wellington Harbor. They have all been so helpful to me in getting my bearings around the city and recovering from jet-lag, as well as providing a wealth of information about art, history and culture of the area.

P.S. - George is the only baby who hasn't screamed in terror from the mere sight of me! He must like the silly American!

Kapiti Wildlife Preserve
There is an electronic fence around a hill in Kapiti, the largest suberb of Wellington, that was once used as a resevoir area, but is now used as a wildlife preserve, especially for birds.

The fence is used to keep predators out so that birds that were once on their way to extinction have a safe place to nest. Photos of the birds,especially the quickly flitting about Fantail, were difficult to impossible, but the unfurling fern frond kept still for me. The unfurling frond in spiral form is called "koru" by the Maori and it symbolizes new growth, peace and potential.

Te Papa
During my visit to the Te Papa museum which houses cultural and pop-cultural exhibits, I was fortunate enough to meet with Kupapa Tirikatene, "Ku" for short, the Maori Tribal Leader in residence who presides over the current Maori exhibition. He is the elder of the only tribe that the British have actually apologized to for placing claim on their native lands. He was a gracious host took the time to inform me about Maori carving especially pertaining to Marae (meeting houses), Waka (canoes) and ponamu (greenstone) objects. He shared personal anecdotes with me about why some symbols are important in Maori carving, just barely scratching the surface, I'm sure.

This photo is a detail of a Marae. See the little notches carved all around? Ku told me a story about how the ancients would cut down large trees. They did not have big sharp tools, so they would rig up a rope with a greenstone "blade" that would pivit and swing from above. The string was pulled and released to hit the tree... pulled and released to hit the tree... pulled and released to hit the tree... pulled and released to hit the tree... This would make a tiny notch in the tree until it finally fell. The notches, therefore, signify persistance. The more notches, the more persistance and the better the carving is regarded.

First Mate Helen
Next stop - The America's Cup! Its true - I helped sail Janine & Nigel's yacht "Soulmate" back in to Wellington from a beautiful picnic out in the middle of the harbor next to Wellington's equivalent of Alcatraz Island without the rip current. I was glad when we turned about to sail back - I was getting a little worried they were going to send me to Exile Island! ;-)

I Made It Safe and Sound!

Well, here I am in New Zealand! After 26+ hours of travel, I made it to Wellington safe and sound, if not a little jet-lagged. We were greeted at the airport by a group of Maori high school students who welcomed us with dance and chanting as well as by our Rotary Wellington Hosts who are absolutely wonderful!

I am having a wonderful time so far, even though most of today has just been spent trying not to fall asleep - coffee has helped as has the excitement of being in this new and exciting part of the world in beautiful and friendly surroundings.

One highlight so far was traveling up the cable car to the Botanical gardens.

Here I am with Wellington City and the cable car in the background looking very tired, but let me assure you - I'm very happy.

Slideshow for my Hosts

In case my photo album doesn't make it through customs, I thought I'd share some photos from home with this slideshow. Enjoy!

Time and Weather Together

What's it like in Wellington and New Paltz right now?
Check in here to find out what time it is and what the weather is like!

Team Meeting in New Paltz

Today The GSE Team had our final pre-flight group meeting to prepare for our trip to New Zealand. Our 1-quart ziploc baggies are packed. Our bags are measured and weighed. We have all the magnets, pens, stickers, maps and photographs we can carry, and our presentation is presentable! Now all we have to do is get to JFK during rush hour! Wish us luck!

Front row left to right: Bob Broadhurst, District Chairperson. Jim Pelton, Alternate Team Leader. George Duarte, Team Leader.
Back row left to right: Nancy Proyect, Team Member. Noreen Knips, Team Member. Heather Malcom, Team Member. Helen Gutfreund (me), Team Member.

After the meeting, a few of us spent some time getting to know each other a little better - here's a photo of Heather, a fish kissing Heather, a squirrel sitting on Heather's head and Noreen. A good time was had by all.

In The News

Hey - I made the paper!

From The Poughkeepsie Journal:

Monday, February 12, 2007
Good Life: In The Mid-Hudson Valley

Rotary sends New Paltz woman to New Zealand

The Rotary Foundation is sending Helen Gutfreund, a licensed massage therapist from New Paltz, to New Zealand on its Group Study Exchange.

The Group Study Exchange program of the Rotary Foundation is a cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for young business and professional men and women between the ages of 25 and 40. The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits between paired areas in different countries.

For four to six weeks, team members experience the host country’s institutions and ways of life, observe their own vocations as practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships and exchange ideas.

Gutfreund recently spoke to the Red Hook Rotary about her travel plans to New Zealand.
Call the the Red Hook Rotary at 845-758-8206.

Red Hook Rotary Presentation

I was asked to speak at the Red Hook, NY chapter of Rotary Club after I was selected for GSE and today was the day. This morning, at the "Roasted Garlic Restaurant", I spoke for approximately 15 minutes about myself and the GSE and got a wonderful, warm response from the group's members, not to mention a delicious breakfast and a beautiful gift pen.

Here is a photo of me with Fred Cartier (left), the President of the Red Hook Rotary Club, and Walter Avis (right), the gentleman who so kindly nominated me for inclusion in the GSE.

Thanks to the group for presenting me with some of their banners which I will be taking to New Zealand with me to present to each club I will speak to along with with my team. Thanks also to Jonah Triebwasser for taking and sending me the photo.

What is GSE?

Just thought you might like to know what the Group Study Exchange actually is, so here is the Rotary Club website's explanition of it:

The Group Study Exchange (GSE) program of The Rotary Foundation is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for young business and professional men and women between the ages of 25 and 40 and in the early years of their professional lives. The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits between paired areas in different countries.

For four to six weeks, team members experience the host country's institutions and ways of life, observe their own vocations as practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas. For each team member, The Rotary Foundation provides the most economical round-trip air ticket between the home and host countries. Local Rotarians in the host area provide for meals, lodging, and group travel within their district.

In Uniform

I'm not typically a uniform-wearing kind of person, but it is a requirement for this trip, so I am (willingly) joining in.

Here's a picture of me in my "monkey-suit" (as Steve would call it) for your viewing pleasure.

Mission Accomplished

Well - I've completed all the required paperwork insofar as the travel insurance and health certificate go. Got my white button-down shirt, khakis and navy blazer. I have an outline for my presentation on Arts & culture, outdoor adventuring and complimentary healing arts of the Hudson Valley. I even had a friend graciously agree to cover for me in my office while I am away.

I've heard so many supportive and encouraging words from my family, friends and colleagues - it really warms my heart. Things are really being set in motion now and this is starting to feel real.

Countdown to New Zealand