i've traded vogue for gum boots

Hello hello all and welcome to this edition of Jessica out of her element! This episode features a tent and cows!!!

Actually, all joking aside, I have to say that the girls and I have been having an absolutely fabulous time here in new zealand. We arrived new years eve in auckland, and after a good nap, met some other travelers from France and Spain and we all decided to go down to the viaduct area together where we could see fireworks go off at midnight, and experience the great local tradition - the pub! We had a very fun night, which included cutting a line and getting into a dance club for free where we proceeded to dance the new year away. A perfect way to start my year.

The next day was filled with logistics and planning because a) we had decided that staying at hostels was a but too harsh on our budgets because of expensive kiwi prices and b) we decided to take another swing at WWOOFing but had to plan when and where to volunteer ourselves.

After being invited to stay for a week on a dairy farm in Cambridge, we decided to attack the budget problem by investigating camping equipment. Yes, your eyes do not decieve you, I agreed to give camping a try. The decision was made a bit easier when a tent was given to us by the universe. When asking about buying cheap gear at our hostel front desk, the woman behind the counter said, "well, you can have this one here for free if you want it. Someone left it behind." The girls and I eagerly unfolded the tent to find a perfectly functioning tent, plus waterproof rainfly ... for only two people. Well, at least we will be cosy at night, which was a worry on our minds because we had nothing but silk sleepsacks to sleep in. We bought some inflatable mattresses to put on the ground, but searched in vain for blankets. It was Laura Fox who, while exploring an outdoor store, first suggested the idea of using emergency blankets. For those who don't know, emergency blankets are glorified pieces of tin foil that are thrown over marathon runners after they finish racing. I had only seen them before at the finish line of the Boston marathon.

So, armed and "ready" for camping we set off to Waiheke island for the weekend. The island was beautiful and complete with white sand beaches, wineries, and friendly locals. We spent a great day on rented bikes, exploring the island (an excellent suggestion from a friend at home!)Camping went as well as could be hoped. The first night was miserable. It rained and we were all wet and cold. The next night I wore 75% of the clothes in my backpack, and at least managed to stay warm. I can't load any pictures right now, but there are good ones of my poor footsies sticking out of the wee tent, and Katy and I wrapped in the emergency blankets. But, waiheke was fun and gorgeous and we were excited to head back to the mainland to start WWOOFing.

For the past week, we have been staying with one of the happiest, most thoughtful and generous family I have ever known. Compared to staying on the Hare Krisna farm, staying with the Bax family is like going on a fun family vacation. Highlights include riding on the backs of tractors, going kayaking at night to see glowworms, and riding horses. There has also been some hard work and we hope that Phil and Tracy and the entire Bax family has been satisfied with our work. Again, there are some really priceless pictures that go with this story - us wearing farming clothes, us with cows (did I mention we were on a dairy farm!?), us pulling on our intense gum boots in the morning, and also some really incredible pictures of new zealand landscape.
Today was a day of rest spent making feta cheese and watching the Lord of the Rings movies, which were all shot in new zealand! Tomorrow is our last day with the Bax family, and then we are off to pick up a rental car, and then we are letting the wind decide where to lead is next.

We hope all is well at home, and send lots of love to everyone!

Love and baci, Jca

For Marcus - me 77 world 13 xoxo