I’m feeling like me talking about my hikes on the weekend might be getting a bit annoying. Maybe it would be better to talk more about my thoughts and feelings… in the future. Regardless, I’m gonna talk about another hike in this post…
One thing that’s different about my life here is that I have less control and I don’t need to take as much initiative, because my flatmates already have substantial social circles. For example, we’ve been trying to plan a flat sleepover for a few weeks and this week it finally happened but three people from other flats joined as well! And in the end it wasn’t even a sleepover lol, everyone went home/to their rooms. We ordered pizza using some coupons and watched Pitch Perfect.

Me and Emily went for dinner with a lovely fellow McGillian named Veronica! It was the first time I’ve been out to a proper restaurant in Dunedin. We got Thai food, and it was really fun, and exciting to meet someone who will be back in Montreal too. We’re planning on meeting up with her during the mid-semester break and to go to the Farmer’s market after the break. Yay, friends!

Thai with Emily and Veronica!

The weekend was another lovely Tramping Club trip. On Friday at 5pm with my bag packed, me, Rory and Savage walked over to the departure building. We all loaded into vans, and drove to Makarora with our separate hiking groups.

My group did a day trip up to Brewster Hut, which is something on my bucket list! While the track continues on to Brewster Glacier, I signed up for the easier trip, which wasn't going all the way to glacier. But my flatmate Rory was on the Brewster Glacier tramp so I saw them at the top!! I have been noticing my cardio and fitness improving. I love being able to walk up a mountain just like that. I am so lucky for that.
The mossy forest


The tramping group


Note the tree line


Thick clouds


I'm a big fan of the sunlight illuminating that spot on the mountainside


Up we go




Me and Emily!!


Yuh


Rory!


At last, Brewster hut.


My favourite moment of the trip was cooking Saturday dinner with my tramping group and eating `Tim Tam Slams' where you bite off the ends of a Tim Tam cookie (a classic in NZ, it's everywhere in the grocery stores) and use it is a straw for hot chocolate. We had lots of good laughs as a group. I can't believe I get to go on so many of these trips. During outdoor Ed in grade 11, I would look forward to the trip for months. Here, they are happening so often that I can barely process one of them before the I'm on the next one. AaaHHHHHH!

The view from our campsite


It's a bit strange to start thinking about coming home eventually. I have been working on booking my plane tickets home this week, but I am still in denial about having to leave. Next week's post won't arrive until at least April 29th ish, because I am leaving for a 10+ day trip for mid-semester break in one hour. Until then, I hope everybody has a lovely life. I will miss you all, my dearests. You make my life go 'round.