Our journey is coming to an end.  It has been really great, though. After touring for a week, Joey and I ended up in Te Kowhai, Hamilton, where we lived and worked.  I really enjoyed working at the Farmers' Markets despite having to wake up at 6am.  It was nice to interact with people and to help sell the baked goods and eggs. I also helped cook the baked goods, which was really interesting.  We had to make large quantities of each item, so I got to see how much butter goes into one thing!  It's really crazy. But it gave me an idea of how I could run a small cooking business if I ever wanted to venture into that. 

I will also miss the dogs, who were lovely and we took them for walks quite a bit.  The cow was also very nice, and although only 8 months old, she could really knock you over without meaning to.  But I tried to play with her anyway, because it seems like she wanted a companion.  I also enjoyed collecting the eggs, and scoping out various locations where they might have been laid. 

Now Joey and I are back at our friend's house in Auckland. We visited one vegan restaurant, Wise Cicada, which I enjoyed but Joey was obviously still hungry afterwards.  It was also neat because there were no fixed prices, rather you were asked to donate whatever amount you felt your meal was worth.  Joey and I both agreed that by not charging specific prices, they probably end up making more money.  

Last night was the feature event on Duder's Ave.  It's a small street of maybe 15-20 houses, and Ian, our host, invited everyone for a lovely potluck Christmas meal at his abode.  Despite being far away from Christmas, people brought Christmas dishes, perhaps because this is as 'wintery' as it will get here in Auckland (about 55*F!).  I still find it very funny to hear people commiserate about braving the cold.  

The dinner was really nice. Ian set up the living space to be quite beautiful, with tablecloths and cloth  napkins, as well as candles at the center of each table.  The food was quite tasty, with dessert dishes outnumbering mains by a long shot.  I was taught that Trifle is a traditional English dessert, and I also saw a fruit cake with green and red cherries.  And there was egg nog, which Joey really loved.  So lots of Christmas fun.  But Joey and I volunteered ourselves to help as kitchen hands, so we did a lot more plate clearing and washing than anything else.  We were happy to do so in appreciation for our host.  

So as our stay in New Zealand comes to a close, I will reflect on the things I have enjoyed that I will miss upon arrival in the US.  Of course, there are many things I do appreciate and love about the US, namely my friends and family, stores open after 5:30pm, 24 hour restaurants, and central heating.

I will miss...

-One lane roads on all major 'highways'

-Patient people. A slow salesperson in the US is sometimes met with frustration or anger. Here, people don't roll their eyes when it's taking forever, they just wait.

-Saying 'sweet as' and 'I reckon.'

-Abe's Bagel Chips

-Hospitable hostels

-Non-refrigeration of eggs and butter (not that I eat them anymore)

-The fact that policemen don't carry guns. I think it shows a lot about the lower severity of crimes here.

-Driving on the left side of the road

-60 degree winter weather

-Toilets that force you to flush with your hands.  You couldn't use your foot if you tried!

-The movie theatre experience.  Booking your seat in advance, seats the size of small couches, wine and gourmet ice cream.

-Unchaperoned wine sampling at supermarkets

-Tax and tip included in the price of a meal... cheap as!

-The exchange rate

-Outdoor cats

-Wildlife sanctuaries and kiwi birds

-Friendly neighbors, the way it should be

-Penguins

-No security checks at Dunedin Airport. You walk in, you walk out.

-Muesli