Souly Positive

In the Tarot deck all the cards surround The Fool’s Journey. Well as it turns out I am also on the Fool’s journey and it’s starting to crack me up:) My humor is back and I am taking each lesson in stride.

I am In Christchurch now which is on the South Island. It is a beautiful little town that is totally under construction. They had a major earthquake 3 or so years ago and they are just starting to rebuild things. Parts of most buildings in downtown are under some kind of construction,. I was told over 200 people lost their life in the quake. The people here are great though and seem resilient. I’m sure they will have their beloved town back to normal soon.

The hostel I am staying in is awesome and the people I have met here so far are great…from France,to Germany to Taiwan and even a few Americans missing Thanksgiving with their families as I am. I checked in yesterday to the smell of a pumpkin pie baking. A woman from America said she could not go without her pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving. The smell was amazing and she offered some when it was done but I went in to explore the little town. Of course when I returned that pumpkin pie was nowhere to be found…not surprising. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and stuffed yourselves to the gills. It is a great time for all of us to count our blessings and you are all my blessings so thank you!

Okay on to the funny shit and more lessons learned. So remember I told you about the wonderful French couple in Fiji who helped me book the ticket from Auckland to Christchurch? Well when I received the confirmation ticket via email it was all in French. I thought to myself…”How cool is that?” I couldn’t understand a word of it but could clearly see the date, the time and the airline…so no worries, right? I get to the airport and they see no sign of my ticket anywhere. They are searching and searching and I’m showing her the French email. She even called over another worker who spoke French and they could not find a confirmation number. Of course I am holding up lines etc. As it turned out I had no ticket:( Chase had declined my credit card thinking it was a fraudulent charge. THANK YOU Chase…will you please stop watching out for me! I did get a plane ticket though (with the same card that denied it before:) But my new ticket cost a lot more…the first one $111 New Zealand dollars…the second one $349 New Zealand Dollars. OUCH! Lesson learned…either buy your tickets in English or learn to speak French:) No wigging out though, I just smiled and bought the new ticket. At this rate I may be home early:) And yes everyone…I did let the credit card company know I was traveling and Robert has called them too.

Upon arrival in Christchurch I chose to take the bus to town. Got off in the center of town and walked at least 3 miles with my 40+ pound backpack (thanks Cheryl, those neighborhood walks paid off). I got to the hostel exhausted and thirsty but also proud. I did it by God. I’m getting this!

Tomorrow I rent a car and begin my tour of the South Island. Now looking forward to new adventures and more lessons learned. I just hope the next ones aren’t so expensive. Will probably not have internet for a while, so please know I’m fine. I think the biggest danger here is being trampled by sheep:) Now for South New Zealanders it will be my driving:)

One more weird thing…I ordered a ginger beer yesterday at a restaurant. Robert’s dad, Bill, loved ginger beer. I poured the glass and lifted it up and said (yes, I talk out loud to myself here:) “Here’s to you Bill.” Then I looked at the bottle and the expiration date was his birthday…I have angels following me, so know that I am safe!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone…sending you love and gratitude from Christchurch, NZ!