Of Hobbits, Hangi, & Huitzilopochtli

I'm getting a bit behind with my narrative in this blog. We have been in Timaru since February 1, 2014 on the job, but before that we used our time well. From Tongariro National Park, we continued south, briefly through Palmerston North on to Wellington. The Capital City (affectionately "Wellie") is exciting and fun: arty, young, cultured, unpredictable in weather and otherwise. The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa always is worth visiting for the permanent exhibits as well as the visiting ones. We were lucky to catch "Aztecs: Conquest and Glory" centered on relics mostly from recent excavations from Mexico City's Zócalo, the Plaza de la Constitución, where the remains of the major temple complex ( Templo Mayor) of the city of  Tenochtitlan lie.

The

Mictlantecuhtli, Aztec God of the Dead

We visited Mexico City on our honeymoon in January 1978 and I thought I knew a lot about the Aztecs, but I learned a lot more about their world and cosmology. The fellow above was the guide through the the underworld. Huitzilopochtli was the god of war, human sacrifice, sun, and the city patron. The human sacrifice stories (children, virgins, sportsmen, etc.) are quite brutal, to say the least. (Confession: I mainly added this god for the purpose of the title alliteration)
The museum is located along the harbor, a lively area where Wellingtonians ignore the signs of contaminated water and playfully dive and paddle.

The REAL reason we went through the Capital City was to visit our semi-adopted child of the universe, Dr. Florence O'Connell. We have stalked the Irish vagabond physician from Timaru, NZ, to Perth, Australia, Fort Bragg and San Francisco, even his native habitat in Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland. We caught up with his current life and work at some of Wellie's fine eating establishments, after he returned from Melbourne and the Aussie Open, and before he set off to the USA to celebrate an upcoming "big birthday".

Friday, January 31, we took the short flight to Timaru aboard a wee plane. "Welliewood" is the center of the NZ film industry, and you can't avoid LOTR/Hobbit-related residua at the airport. [Worried that we might be deported, we did take in Hobbit Part II in Auckland. I was able to stay awake. No hobbits were harmed (that I remember.).]

The gift Shop

Not our plane (but about the same size)

Fresh fish

We were met at the Timaru Airport from Ross from HR, and driven to our temporary home. The Tolkien theme continued there, with Hobbit-sized furnishings.

Our bedroom furniture (for real!)

My contract started February 4, a Tuesday. I'm really not sure why that was the start date, but it allowed me to not work Monday the 3rd, which is the same day as the 2nd in the US, or as it was better known, Superbowl Sunday, 2014. My interest would have been even higher had a certain red and gold Bay Area team been playing, but as a red-blooded American, by noon I was ready for some gridiron....I mean, American football. I was quite worried about finding a place to watch it, as the interest here is minimal, but it was not only shown in several pubs, but on an obscure free TV channel usually airing Ceylon-Bangladesh cricket and Carlton vs.Adelaide Crows Aussie Rules footy. My liver and I survived the first half at the pub (feeling a bit like the Colts) [Correction: I still think of Peyton as a Colt, but of course I meant Broncos], and came home to watched the 2nd half on the newly installed telly. I liked Bruno Mars.
The rest of the first week was "orientation", easing back in, getting all the IT updates and passwords straight, and reacquainting ourselves with the town. The Botanic Garden hosted the yearly South Canterbury Food & Wine Festival, a benefit for Hospice (a low-key Winesong!, like in Fort Bragg).

Roasting pork at the SCF&W Festival

Thursday the 6th is Waitangi Day, a National holiday (more on that next post). We celebrated with a traditional Maori hangi, the NZ version of a Hawaiian luau.

Hangi Pit

The roast meat and veggies

Another thing we don't see much at home: hedgehogs, out and about in our neighborhood.

Next Post: Waitaingi Day, and back to work.

Crossing a Few Things Off

We left SFO Wednesday January 22 and awoke two days later on Friday the 24th in Auckland, New Zealand. The title of the blog refers to the fact NZ is past the International Date Line, therefore one day ahead of the US, but most people notice a distinctly retro vibe, from the ambient music popular in the 70's and 80's, to an apparent simpler, more relaxed way of life we believe we led decades ago.

We have been in and out of Auckland several times, and lived here for over five months in 2012. I made many friends through my work at Auckland City Hospital, and my first stop was to visit the old crew. I was pleased to see the medical department had put the toaster oven I gifted them upon leaving to good use, and therefore associated me with warm, tasty snacks. Everyone was more than friendly, I attended Journal Club at noon, and had a free meal at their expense. 

The next day, my former chief Robyn and her partner John invited Fayne and me out to her renovated "bach" (pronounced like batch) on Waiheke Island, part of Auckland but worlds apart. A bach is a common Kiwi term best explained as a beach house or vacation bungalow. Robyn's family has had one on Waiheke (part Mendocino, part Catalina), which they have extensively remodeled since our last visit. The view off the deck of the Huaraki Gulf is impressive.....

and they have put a lot of work into the garden terraces out the back.

We were treated to a delicious and healthy lunch with home-baked bread, followed by a brief walk along the shore. It was a perfect welcome-back to New Zealand. (Our 4-yo granddaughter Kimarra has been told we are away to "an island", and asks us via computer "are you still on the island?")

Mts. Tongariro (L) and Nhauruhoe (R)

After two nights in Auckland, we rented a car and headed south down the North Island, a five-hour drive to Tongariro National Park.In two prior stays in NZ encompassing 16 months, we managed to do a once-over most of the country's "must-do's". One major exception was the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a very popular 19.4 km (11.6 mi) traverse between two iconic active volcanoes, Mounts Tongoriro and Ngauruhoe (aka Mount Doom of the LOTR series). These two, along with Mt. Ruapehu (the most active, highest of the three, and home to NZ's largest ski resort) constitute the heart of the Kiwi's oldest national park, and the fourth oldest in the world. In 1887, Horonuku Te Heuheu Tukino IV, chief of the Ngati Tuwharetoa Maori, gifted this sacred land to the state. It is rich in native mythical and spiritual significance, and is one of the few places that is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site for both natural and cultural significance. We stayed at the Chateau Tongariro in the shawdow of Ruapehu.

When I tried in 2011 to do the crossing it was not possible due to poor weather. Since, I have learned it is a common occurrence for planned hikes to be sabotaged by inclement weather. I gave myself a three-day window to accomplish my goal this time. On Day One it poured (more rain than I had seen the last 18 months in California). Day Two I gave the weather time to settle, and it was calm and clear enough to take the chair-lift up Mount Ruapehu to "New Zealand's highest cafe" (and at 2020m, or 6400', I suspect the highest in all of Australasia), and to enjoy commanding views of the park and volcanic-sculpted features, like Meads Wall. 

Meads Wall

Day three was "the clearest day in a month", so I took the shuttle to the trail-head. The trek took me 8 hours, a fairly average time, without taking any side-trips, such as the estimated 3 extra hours to scramble up the to the top of Ngauruhoe, made more dangerous due to intermittent gale-force winds (ie: the reason it was "the clearest day in a month").

Mt. Ngauruhoe

The Crossing is full of iconic, volcanic vistas, and my photos hardly do it justice.

Red Crater in foreground of Mt.Ng...

A wayward pilgrim near the high point of the trail with Emerald Lake behind

Looking back from Blue Lake, across Central Crater to Red Crater, Mt. Ngauruhoe, and Mt. Ruapehu in the distance.

The last part of the trail descended down the north side of Tongariro, the site of the most recent eruption in August, 2012. One day prior to that event, we were on White Island, a volcanic island in the same chain, and missed the eruption by one day (if interested, look down near ths bottom of this long, prior blog posting).

Vent of the most recent eruption

It was a long and strenuous day, perhaps made more so by three factors: the altitude (nearly 6,000' at its highest), the gusty winds, and unstable footing in places. My advice for anyone in fair fitness planning on the Crossing: 1) Allow yourself a several-day window for passable conditions, 2) Only try it in good weather, and 3) Bring one or two walking sticks. Unless you are a glutton for punishment, don't do it in wet, foggy, or icy weather. You won't be able to see much, and it will be much more treacherous. Bottom line: it was worth doing, and I would consider doing it again sometime.
I treated myself to a grand dinner at the Chateau Tongariro, and the next day we headed off to Wellington. The drive is beautiful, and reminded me of the kooky road-side landmarks that are part of Kiwiana.

Giant Kiwi sculptures in Otorohanga

A gigantic gumboot in Taihape, looking for a mate

Leaving Again for New Zealand

Celebrating my 63rd birthday with family

For the third time since 2010, Fayne and I are headed back to New Zealand. The first time, April 2010-March 2011, was essentially on a whim. We had no idea what to expect, at work or at play. We loved both. The second time, March 2012-August 2012, we came back this time to Auckland, specifically so I could qualify for a permanent medical license, or registration as it is called here. I wanted the flexibility to come and go to work more freely, and split time between US and NZ work.
 For the last 18 months, we have been back in Fort Bragg, California, and I worked full-time at Mendocino Coast District Hospital as a hospital doctor. Like many small rural American hospitals, the place I have worked since 1984 was in great financial peril, and filing for Chapter 9 bankruptcy. Over the last year and 1/2, many key people have left or been fired, the workers have been coerced into a 5% cut, and yet if anything things are more tenuous. The Hospital Board Chairman called the November 2013 finances "dire", and another board member told me he learned that bankruptcy doesn't solve anything, it only delays the inevitable.The best hope seems to be that some outside institution will sweep in like a deus ex machina, and take over.
Work is so much more fun in New Zealand. Hours are shorter, vacations, holidays, and educational leave are all paid for, as well as registration fees. More importantly, I get to work daily with young, bright, enthusiastic doctors who feel I have something to teach them. In the US, find myself spending at least half of my day with drudgery, paperwork, computer entry. I have virtually none of that in New Zealand.
These factors have led me to a momentous decision: for the foreseeable future, I will be working in New Zealand. It is difficult to think about being so far away from so many of our beloved family and friends, especially our daughter and grandchildren. We also will dearly miss our beautiful Fort Bragg home, and our aging cat Saturday.

But I still really enjoy being a physician, and hope to work for another 5-10 years, if circumstances allow it.
When I decided to return to NZ, I first contacted Timaru and Auckland City Hospitals, the two places I worked before, and I was very gratified to see that they both would welcome me back. Timaru offered a contract which specifically states that I can return to the US at least twice a year to see family. Also, 3 of the 4 other doctors I will join were colleagues of mine from the first stay. So it was a done deal. We will give it a try and see how it goes, knowing the future can be impossible to foresee.
I learned that deeply and personally when my elder sister Angela died abruptly after a sudden catastrophic illness in early November. We had a lovely memorial/tree-trimming part for her one month later. May she rest in peace, and we know the two kidneys she donated live on to give life to others.

Sisters Athena and Margaret addressing the large memorial crowd

I am so glad she made it to see me in New Zealand in 2010.

We tried to see as many as we could in the months before departing. For the first time ever we spent Christmas time with Fayne's sister and brother in Albany and Syracuse , New York, respectively.

Laura Fayne Hedden and Ryan Brennan

The Brennans

We of course made time to sample the local fare, including the semi-famous "Funk 'n Waffles" in a basement near the Syracuse U. campus (featured on Guy Fieri's "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives", thanks to a tip from Sofia)..

The Jive Turkey: Waffle made of stuffing with all the trimmings

All Shook Up: An homage to The King with bacon, bananas, PB, & honey

I had to make time for a Holiday meal with the heart of my long-time office staff, Judy and Linnea (Terry couldn't make it),

and with my surrogate family, the Nestlers.

The Holiday season is even more special than ever as we celebrated Kimarra's 4th birthday,

 

Isaiah's 1st birthday with Sofia and Marquise.

[NOTE: Many of my prior blog-followers urged me to resume a blog in order to keep in closer contact across the thousands of miles. I am not quite sure what shape it will take, but will update it when I feel I have things to share. I am open for suggestions.]