the land of green

Some might find it hard to describe the trip to New Zealand. Not me. It was green, and that’s basically it. . . Well, that’s not completely true. It was very green and there was a lot of vegetation, and it was exciting and interesting and different and pretty and fun and there were lots of sheep and the coca-cola tasted different (better than Australia) and the people were super nice and it was a lot like Australia but a lot unlike Australia. Let me expound.

When one goes to Australia for the first time, one often thinks “oh, this will be all kangaroos and wallabies and will be complete desert and the people will be corny but nice, just like Crocodile Dundee or Seven Irwin.” While some of this is true, not all is. Australia, in a lot of ways, is like an odd cross between various parts of Europe, the south pacific, and a big slice of America. It’s a lot more American than you would expect or probably realize. They usually side with the US when it comes to politics, they have a lot of American companies, and the people are inundated with American icons, music, movies, ideas, and culture. New Zealand is different. If Australia is a cross between the south pacific and the United States, then New Zealand is a cross of the south pacific and England. The landscapes look European and are pretty and green whereas the landscapes in Australia are harder and starker. There were parts that reminded me of scenes from Sweden or Switzerland. The plants in Australia seem like they have to fight their way to existence where as in NZ the landscape is lush with plant life. The people of New Zealand seem more relaxed and yet more proper and have something oddly European to their nature. It’s sort of hard to describe.

Thinking of New Zealand makes me think of deep blues, lush greens, and stark white. Traveling through the island by coach helped me to better understand the people. It seems that the towns are sort of temporary and that the vegetation could easily come and eat up the settlements. It’s still sort of wild, but in a subdued and grand sort of way. It’s hard to explain. It’s like Australia, but not quite as deadly. For instance, on bush walks you don’t have to worry about being bit by deadly snakes or poisonous spiders and or hurt by any wild mammals. In general it is just lush and beautiful yet somehow untamed. The people who live there are linked to the land and yet seem to be from some far off country. They are polite and happy, yet don’t quite fit in. Again, it’s really hard to describe.

The indigenous people of New Zealand, the Maori, are much different that the Australian Aboriginal people. The Maori are fierce and in your face. They are boisterous, vibrant, and full-on. They were a warring people and fought for what they had. Many of them lived on the coast and had huge canoes that would fit over a hundred warriors. While they are completely unique they somehow fit into the bigger context of the people across all of the south pacific. They are part of a larger story of movement and are one small sect of a large mass of people who populate what is now Polynesia. Just like the European settlers, they seem to fit in, but are still foreign to the land. The island was once uninhabited, and then the Maori came, and then the Europeans. While both groups are now part of the island, in a way, they still seem as if they are only momentary inhabitants in the scheme of things.

One thing that I loved about the Maori people is their art. The beautiful designs that they carve and paint are incredible as they wind along sculptures on garments and in tattoos. Where Australian Aboriginal peoples are known for the music of the didgeridoo the Maori people are known for their song. They sing and dance and the culture is so unique and beautiful.

It’s interesting to note the differences in which the two cultures, Australian and Kiwi, have adopted and integrated the cultures of these indigenous peoples. In Australia, the Aboriginal people have their own flag, culture, and are still fighting for their rights. They are a strong resilient people; an enduring group. They have been on the land for 40,000-60,000 years and they know that they will last for many more and I feel as if this gives them a more subtle feel. The Maori people on the other hand are more distinct and will not let themselves be forgotten by the larger culture in any way. Their artwork permeates the society and can be found on coins, buildings, and even on the logo of Air New Zealand. They have infiltrated the popular culture and are everywhere. Honestly, the two native peoples are a lot alike and they have both been accepted and are beginning to be better understood by the broader culture, seeing a glimpse of New Zealand has shown me that the Maori influence upon New Zealand is an interesting and unique one. Different, yet sort of like the Aboriginal people. Again, hard to describe. . .

So I guess New Zealand isn’t so easy to talk about. All in all, New Zealand was a beautiful country with a completely unique yet somewhat familiar culture. I had a great time while I was there and got to travel a bit through the North Island, the village of Rotorua, and the city of Auckland. The week was a great time to relax, learn about a new place, and have some much needed time with my friends before saying my final goodbyes to them. It was a great time.

Photos courtesy Natalie Miller.

travel

When I was little I had a fascination with trains. I loved watching trains and would do so at any chance, getting excited when I could identify them: Union Pacific, Amtrack, etc. Once my parents took me to a museum about the history of Nebraska and there was an old caboose that I got to climb in and look around. I got to talk with the “engineer” all about how the train worked and I even got to dress up as an engineer. I would always get so excited when we would have to stop at a railroad crossing. With glee I would count the number of cars on the train, hoping against hope that the engineer might toot his horn and wave back at the little hand and face in the car window that was peering out at him. We lived a few miles from the train track, but I could hear the trains go by from our front porch. On nice summer nights I would sit with my dog and listen to the horns and the clacking of the wheels on the track.

I guess my fascination with transportation hasn’t changed much. The suburb that I go to school in and the suburb that I live in are both under the flight path of many of the planes that land at Sydney Airport. Sundays are the worst as huge international jetliners fill the sky and the air with their roaring engines. My friends whine about the sounds they make and the way that it disrupts their conversations, but I don’t mind. I love peering up to see their graceful forms, always trying and identify them: Qantas, Emirates, Air New Zealand, Malaysia, Air China. There’s something fascinating about them and their grace as they coast through the air, unaware of those below. They transfix my gaze and I try and comprehend their power, always wondering where they may have come from, or where they’re going.

The planes have been a huge part of my time here. They fly so close to the ground that you bet if you tried, you could hit one with a well timed ball or rock. They are so real to me and so close that I can’t block them out. They’re just a part of the day and a part of Sydney. But the planes don’t let me forget that my time here is limited. At first I would see them and get excited about how well you could see them so clearly and how beautiful they looked. While I still enjoy their beauty, they carry other meanings for me. In about a week I’ll be on one of those graceful birds, flying away from this place. Just as those around me try to forget and push the idea of the planes from their mind, I know that they will see my plane and look away. It’s just another plane. Just another group of people leaving Australia. Just another day.

While this idea of leaving and joining the every moving hoards in the sky has been depressing, I have slowly come to terms with it. All semester the planes have been soaring through the heavens, unaffected by my current trials or homework, the times with friends or the good and bad things. They are steady and will continue to fly, even when I’m gone. Life goes on, even though my chapter here ends. It doesn’t mean that I won’t have more flights later and it doesn’t mean that I can’t come back, but the planes continually soar on. As much as I hate it, my plane will eventually take off and join others in the sky.

My heart has been all over the board these last few weeks. There have been some troubles with friends and problems with relationships. I’ve been learning so much about myself and the people around me and I feel as if I’ve been making good decisions, but that doesn’t stop that fact that all of this change is a bit unnerving. I’ve also had heaps of homework, little sleep, and other issues that just make me a bit uneasy. I’ve talked to friends and mentors and really reached out to them in my vulnerability. The responses have been great. They’ve really listened and repeated back to me what I’ve been saying, giving advice and help when possible. Just the fact that they’ll listen to me when I’m spewing forth so much emotion means a lot.

I’ve also been leaning on God a lot these past few days. I’ve been crying out, bringing problems of my own and problems that my friends are facing and I know that God has heard my cry. Today on the bus I was swirling around in emotion and God pulled my attention. He reminded me of a song by Waterdeep. The song basically repeats the text from Psalm 131.

Psalm 131

A song of ascents. Of David.

1 My heart is not proud, O LORD,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.

2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul;
like a weaned child with its mother,
like a weaned child is my soul within me.

3 O Israel, trust in the LORD
from this day forth and forevermore.

Though his words and through the actions of those around me God has helped to calm and quiet my soul. When I got out of choir today I made my way to the green and just collapsed. I just sprawled out and enjoyed the sun. Talking with a good friend, listening to good music, eating a kiwi; nothing could have made those moments any better. Nothing could have stilled my soul better than that. I lay there and felt God moving around me and relaxing me. And while there are a lot of other things that are going on and I still have homework and there are still issues with my friends, God has helped me to relax and understand.

The planes flew over as I lay there on the grass and somehow they didn’t bother me so much. Seeing them reminds me of leaving, that’s true, but laying there and looking up at their soaring outlines wasn’t so bad. God has helped me to see my place and has helped me to be quiet and enjoy every second. Though there may be chaos going on around me, I have been able to sit down, quiet my soul, and let it all flow through me. As I lay there, listening to music I became transfixed. The texts caught me and I realized as I was listening, that my soul was speaking the words along with the music. This is my prayer for today.

Brighten My Heart

By Sixpence None the Richer

My heart is as dark as the soil sodden with winter rains.
My soul is as heavy as the peat freshly dug from the bog.
My thoughts swirl like willow branches caught in autumn winds.
My body as tense as a cat's as it stalks its prey.

Chorus
Help me open my heart to You,
Help me open my heart to You,
Help me open my heart to You, oh Jesus.
It's what I long to do.

My heart is as dark as the soil sodden with winter rains.
(Lord, brighten my heart)
My soul is as heavy as the peat freshly dug from the bog.
(Lord, lighten my soul)
My thoughts swirl like willow branches caught in autumn winds.
(Lord, still my thoughts)
My body as tense as a cat's as it stalks its prey.
(Lord relax my body)