Day 165

It’s interesting. The quote that I remember most (besides “Always blow on the pie”) so far is “You’re in Dunedin until Friday. Why?”.

I get that you’re a local and that maybe you don’t think you have a nice city, but you actually really have a nice place and you should be happy about that. I honestly think that there’s very few cities in the world that I would spend weeks on end in, but still, don’t knock yourself down too many pegs.

In any case. I got dropped off at the Octagon around 9 am for my first exploratory walk. Apparently they run around the shape once a year as part of the orientation festivities and that reminded me of a certain scene in Chariots of Fire – at least one person that reads this knows what that is.

Around 10 am Bozena picked me up again and we had a really nice tour around the upper part of the city… followed by me going out for another walk about around town. It is a gorgeous place, that’s for sure.

I was recommended a certain pizza place – Pappo’s Pizza. So I went in… and I found the perfect pizza for me.

I swear I can’t make this up.

Shortly thereafter I bonded once again with the bus (after using the self checkout somewhat successfully at New World) and arrived back casa Haug to perform a very interesting task. Laundry. Fact of life people.

We had a wonderful dinner with the Haug’s family friends Anne and Wendy – complete with Pinot Noir ice cream! – and then headed off to Sandfly Beach.

But not before we got to see ‘dem bones! Both Chris and Wendy are going into medical school and have to get a set of bones.

Now then. Take everything you’ve everything scenically. Then multiply it by about five. That’s pretty much Sandfly.

We were on the way down to the beach and saw that there were some sheep that weren’t jumping the fence back into their pen, but rather trying to squeeze through the very small hole in the fence!

Chris and I then took it onto ourselves to make sure they got herded back into the pen. Results:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-WeaDmvD3w

The second obstacle is the sand dune jumping. Now there is a technique to sand dune jumping. You’re supposed to jump into a big pile of sand. Let’s see how I did!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaawHyk3AlU

After that wonderful experience, we walked the beach, and came across some sea lions!

They were very much just content to just lie there – you could get within 10 metres without them getting scared. There was also a pack of penguins that we were allowed to spot from afar. Truly an awesome experience, once again!

Off to Queenstown in the next post!

Cheers,

Vick

Day 164

So one of the surprising things that happened the previous day was that we drove by Dive Otago. Now I really hadn’t thought about diving in Dunedin – not that I didn’t want to, it just didn’t register on the radar.


However after realizing it wouldn’t be a bad idea (and they pretty much checked out) I gave them a call, and it turned out that they were heading out while I was there. And a steal, too, at 50 NZD for two tanks and transport.

Arriving shortly before 9 am I checked in. The ride out wasn’t that bad (still getting used to the twists and turns) and after a stop at New World Supermarket in Super Nintendo Chalmers – sorry, that’s Port Chalmers



– we arrived at the Mole in Aramoana.

The Mole? Sadly, there was no sign of Grant Bowler, Anderson Cooper or Glenn Hughill (although I was in the same building as the latter in October). It turns out that “the Mole” is the local lingo for the pier.


I was assigned to be buddied up with Scotty. Turns out he and the other four guys in my van were working on their instructor cards. Dive Otago, I’m told by my hosts, is an accredited institution that can issue a certificate in this domain which is then useable in other locations.
In any case! This showed promise.



Now I wish to say that this has probably got to be one of the more treacherous entries I have done in my time diving and I wish not to speak of it again!

Scotty and I dove the Paloona first, away from the others. He was excited as there’s a certain other wreck that he has done countless times… so I think he lucked out in getting me to kick around then!

The dive itself was superb. This was the first time I had dove in kelp – it was definitely a different challenge. You really can get caught up in everything if you lose your wits… and the kelp has a way of getting tangled up in your gear. Plus you don’t realize it’s happening until you are farther away!

We saw a lot of different creatures that I usually don’t get to see. Coral. Starfish. Lots of fish. And an awesome, awesome swim through that was the base of the Paloona! The only thing that was frustrating was that there is SO MUCH to see that you have to make sure that you’re not hitting anything with your person. Which is much more difficult than you think. I managed though.

Kelp.

Starfish.

Crab leg.

Sea tulips.

Coral.

Wall of fish.

More coral.

Can't remember... can anyone help?

I'm not sure what this creature is, but I do recall that if you pressed near it, it would retreat!

We got almost 40 minutes on the dive, but at a temp of about 58F I was ready to get out and get some lunch. It was quite entertaining during the surface interval; I told the guys about the fun we have at our dive club back home and they were quite impressed. And how if there’s one thing that I should have learned by now it’s…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7UX8KASASU

Apparently this video has become quite the viral sensation here in New Zealand. I have to get the tshirt before I leave.The second dive was on the Momokia – let’s call it the Mo – because it functions similarly to its namesake back home, as apparently everyone dives on it repeatedly.

But from what I can gather Dive Otago is the only operator around, so I don’t think it would be as bad.

This one had much more of a swell as compared to the previous so once again, an entertaining and challenging dive. We did a couple of spins around the wreck itself, but around 35 minutes I was getting cold so we headed up.

I’m not sure why but on the way back it was a worse drive for me, probably because I couldn’t see the edge of the road very much! Even going through Super Nintendo Chalmers. We stopped at the Wild Bean Café on the way back at the BP station where I bought Scotty a coffee… the least I could do. He was very surprised… but then again, so was I… surprised that for once, while away on vacation, someone actually acted like my buddy. What a concept!

Once back at the shop I told the front desk staff how much I had enjoyed my time and they were so enamored they asked if I would write something down that they could quote me on! Being the teacher and long-winded human that I am, I wrote a whole page, as I was supremely expressed.

Could this day get any better? Bozena (Chris’ mom) came and picked me up and we headed over to get premium ice cream. I had a small dish… which didn’t even last back to the car! Raspberry and white chocolate… what a tasty treat.

Cheers,

Vick.

Day 163

Well my first full day in Dunedin promised to be a good one. I started the day once again at the Otago Museum – I couldn’t believe that it was free! I do believe in at least giving a donation at least, which is what I did.
There were many exciting exhibits; one of the best ones was the animal attic. It was a collection, I would say, of at least 600 different creatures. One of which was BRAAAAAAAAAAAAAINS.

Around noon I figured it was time for lunch. I ended up finding a takeaway (although I sat in) and ate some wonderful peanut chicken; I ordered the small but it ended up being quite filling. Shortly thereafter, it was time for my sweet tooth to get fed. I was heading over to the Cadbury Factory for a tour.

You get to start by doing a self guided tour through the history of the museum. Who knew John Cadbury, the original creator, was a quaker? Not me! Perhaps I should get a discount next time?

Once the tour started we were off like a herd of turtles. We got to see the processing plants (where they make “Buttons”), the warehouse where they store everything, and my personal favourite, the purple silo which contains a mechanism that pours out just vats and vats of chocolate! Chocolate from the heavens is my fave, although I decided against licking the stairwell (many did). At the end we each came out with five small choco bars… and a new appreciation of the gooey sweet stuff.

I also got my picture taken by Chris and his wife and their son Andy (sorry if I’ve mixed them up, guys). This is one of the old milk vans!

I also was happy to reciprocate the favour for them.

Wait, why can't this leave me alone???

I decided then to pop back to the museum to check out the butterfly exhibit. It was really neat, having been in the butterfly conservatory back in Niagara Falls as part of a dive trip. It was a great chance to snap pictures too.

You’d think, after all that excitement, that I’d be done for the day? Not quite! After a wonderful supper Chris, his parents and I headed over to Baldwin Street. And what does Baldwin Street hold? Well, it’s the world’s steepest street, at a gradient of 1:2.86! Note please that I don’t understand the significance of that, I still do appreciate it.

We started by driving up the street, which is a bit nervewracking. I’d never want to do it with a stick (manual) shift, that’s for sure! And then we drove back down – just as crazy! Apparently there’s a youtube video with someone going up on it on a Segway.

Once parked at the bottom, we then started to walk up. At times we stopped to take pictures. Here are two to compare.

First, here’s one that we took on the natural grade. You can see we’re leaning, but not too much.

Secondly, here’s one that was took to make the street look nice and flat. It’s quite the art to show you this, as it’s difficult to achieve!

At one point Chris started to run up the street. Now please take into consideration that he is several years my junior, then please enjoy this youtube link to the evidence:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCabSZvFGSQ

Not that bad, I figure, for an older dude! Chris previously climbed the CN tower with me and another Reach student back in Toronto.

All four of us gathered at the top to get a group picture,

then we met a gentleman from Liverpool, England who had decided to bike down the hill! You can see in this evidence that he actually DISAPPEARS out of view. The street really is steep.
It was a great experience however!

And then we got a Cookie Time cookie. As if I hadn’t had enough sugar that day already.

Following a stop to the Otago University campus (where Alfred teaches and Chris studies), it was back to the homestead to hit the hay. Tomorrow promised to be a longer day…

Cheers,

Vick.

PS - This was my view from the room where I was staying in Dunedin.

New Zealand is wonderful. Frankly, I'm not sure if I'm coming back to Canada. Apparently my visa is only good for three months, however.

Days 159, 160 and 162 (but not 161): Cross the Pacific

So Day 159 and I woke up early again (no surprise) but this time was greeted with the sight of rain. And we’re not talking light rain here – it was practically a torrential downpour. So that made walking anywhere just not a great idea period. I decided, after some research, to get on the 10.30 am tour at the Sony Studios.

You have to understand that I’m a big fan of public transport as well. As long as you travel during daytime hours, it’s good to go. With that, I got the 117 to the LAX Transit Center and then connected to the Culver City no. 6 bus – all for $1.50! I then walked down for about twenty minutes and registered for the tour.

It was pouring but really that was the only bad thing about the tour. We got to see the stages where Esther Williams did her swimming movies (there’s actually a pool built into the floor, and then got to see the biggest stage in the Western Hemisphere, where they filmed scenes from The Wizard of Oz and Indiana Jones IV, among others. We discussed the life of the sitcom on the set of ‘Til Death. We got to see how they do all the scenic backdrops. We even sat in the audience of Jeopardy! which wasn’t taping (as such the set was struck) but it was really neat to see it up close, especially with the new set design.

I made sure to tip my tour guide Kelly as he knew his stuff. I even picked up a Wheel beach towel (because I was heading out, so really there was no reason not to as I’ll need it soon!). I then got chatting to two ladies who were going to the same Wheel taping as me, so we sat and had lunch together. Maureen is from Rhode Island and Nancy is from the San Francisco area and they were just a blast to spend time with. We are big chatters so we were all trying to get a word in edgewise!

The Wheel taping then. I was really excited to go – this would be the first time I was back on the set (ok, the audience, but close enough) to when I taped in early 1997. We got to see three shows filmed – the last two days of “Beaches Resorts Family Week” and a “sixth show”, which they use later in the season on mash-up weeks. This saves them taping days. They were very exciting and will air March 26-27 and June 7th. I suggest you watch all of the week of March 23rd, frankly, as we heard stories about the morning tapings.

The main thing that I noticed was that it was very low key. Announcer Charlie O’Donnell came out and entertained during the show breaks and while there was someone else on staff who talked to us the rest of the time however without a mike, it was hard to hear him.

The whole thing wrapped up around 6.30 and at that point I was bushed and headed back to my hotel (after a further 1-6-117 bus transfer route). I had an invite to see a friend in an improv session but I was just done.

Day 160 turned out better than I thought it would. I had a vision of hanging around all day and then going to the airport super early. However that changed when Nancy called and asked if I wanted to come over and go out walking with them. But of course! So I hauled all of my luggage together, and after about 90 minutes on the bus (Metro 117 to Culver City 6 to Culver City 3 – where I forgot to grab my camera and the #6 bus driver brought it over to me, thank goodness – to Santa Monica 7) I found myself at a much nicer hotel than mine!

We headed out about 11 am in the morning and were only about a 15 minute walk to Rodeo Drive which I had never been to. I felt in awe just breathing the same air, although I have a rule of thumb that if something doesn’t have a price on it, it’s probably not affordable for me!

We found the infamous “Sprinkles” cupcake shop.

I had paid a similar price for a cupcake back in NYC in September and this didn’t disappoint either. Dark chocolate Belgian cake base with a vanilla icing top. Mmm mmm good.
We walked around more and found a couple of things of interest to me. First was the Paley Centre of Media – I obviously didn’t have the time, but would have very much enjoyed seeing some classic game show episodes as they have quite the exclusive connection. Next time. I also found Roots!

Which we didn’t go into, but it just almost seemed out of place.

I got back to the hotel, said my goodbyes and thanked the ladies profusely for their wonderful company. I hope that I’ll get to see them again someday! It took about 90 minutes to get to the aiport (7 to 3 to 6 to shuttle) and checked in for the flight around 4 pm with a departure of 7 pm. I made a couple of calls back home (while I still could on my el cheapo phone card) and then sent a few text messages (as I’ve got 50/month with my temporary plan).

Off to NZ I went! And on the plane it was wonderful, as I sat next to Bill and Georgia of St. Louis. They were great seat mates… and we had a lot of good laughs. Surprisingly I slept for about 6 hours (about half the flight) which caught me off guard. The entertainment system wasn’t all bad either, and neither was the leftover ice cream from business class! Nothing says excitement like ice cream at 1.30 am local time, then following it up with breakfast 30 minutes later.

Day 162 then… because there’s no day 161 (hello, international date line). I got into Auckland about 15 minutes earlier than expected, and then transferred me and my bags (and my dive bag almost got taken by somebody AGAIN) over to domestics to catch my Dunedin flight. That checked in about the time that it was supposed to, and then I caught a kiwi shuttle to my first stop.

As I have done before on this trip, I was visiting a former student. Chris was a student of mine during my first two years of teaching and I had been “threatening” him for four years now that I was coming to visit. Finally I was about to deliver!

And what, pray tell, did we do first? Well, we played with dry ice. Why wouldn’t we?

Chris had to be at his job at the Otago museum for noon, so we hustled on out of there. I got to see a bit of the exhibits (actually only one because I took my time reading it!) before dropping Chris’ friend off to the bus. Which is parked in front of the train station. Why wouldn’t it be?

And as you can see, it’s a gorgeous train station.

Following that was a nap, then dinner, then out to the outskirts of Dunedin to watch the penguins. Along the way we stopped at Yellow Point and was convinced to go climbing!!!

The penguin watching was quite fascinating – they all tend to come in pods of 4-6 onto the beach, then make their way up to their nests which are buried in the ground.

It was hard to get a picture, but near the end of the night I was in the car park, and while you weren’t allowed to use a flash, someone’s car was going very quickly and this was my best shot of the night.
Coming soon – more wacky Kiwi adventures!

Cheers,

Vick.

Days 151-158: Officially on the road again!

Day 151 started off by getting some unfinished business from 150 taken care of. I got a call back from TV5 – turns out they had SKIPPED MY EPISODES. What? Turns out that they were trying to get back in sync with the France 3 airings (they had been about a month behind, now they’re much closer – maybe a week out, tops). After chatting for awhile, kindly she said that she would send me copies due to the skippage. Which was pretty nice of them actually, as I realize that does take her time. So thumbs up, way up, TV5.

Day 152 and it was still more of the same running around. It was slowly sinking in that I was leaving… very soon. Dropped by the currency exchange booth at the mall before heading up to Barrie to stay the night in antici (pause) pation for the next day’s activities.

It was an early start to Day 153 as it was all day first aid training with the dive club. It’s pretty intensive at times but with humour to lighten the seriousness and real-life situations in hand it made it go by quickly.

Day 154 and it was off to run around (re: walk) to get things done. I look forward to owning a vehicle again! In any case it was good exercise topped off with a long chat with my friend Kari from my Tintamarre days.

I was also lucky to get a hold of the Deal or No Deal episodes that I saw taped back in October in Bristol. It was so wonderful to see them again, and to spot myself a few times in the audience – particularly in Tracey’s and Mo’s games. Evidence!

please note all Deal or No Deal images remain copyright of Cheetah Television and Channel Four - no challenge to any ownership implied - I'm just spreading the love of my time in the dream factory!

Day 155 and everything was creeping closer… and it was about time to pack. Sort of, at least. I figured the best thing was to put out everything that I wanted to pack, leave it for a day, figure out what I really needed, didn’t need and what I’d forgotten to pack and then firm it up on the next day.

I also got to go out for a nice lunch at the local eatery and as I ate a wee bit too much I thought it would be good to head out for a walk to get my haircut. Save for the fact that there was a massive lineup and I would have to come back later (read: the next day) it was GREAT!
I arrived home and started putting a gift together for a friend. It took four hours but I’m very proud of of the “homemade” present that I was able to deliver.

While I was doing that Hans and Helga shouted that the mail had arrived. I walked up, expecting nothing and blammo, what do we have here? It’s my Des Chiffres et Des Lettres episodes! We sat down and watched a couple of clips…


Here’s me being asked if I use the word “picossé”. I said I had never heard of it, to which the host quipped “That’s great! You came all the way from Canada to learn a Canadian word!”.


As I had mentioned before on the blog, in between the first and second shows I was talking to the host and the judges , which lead to me being interviewed at the top of the second show. Proof!

Day 156 and it was now or never time. I headed over to work to meet up with a couple of people and then finally got over to the hairdresser’s to get my mop top lopped off. Say that five times fast.

I got home at about 1.30 pm and after lunch (and catching up one some overdue episodes of Glee) I was in a bit of a funk. I started to realize what was going to happen in a couple of days. I was going away… but to a good place. I put on some musical theatre (thanks, Die Hexen von Oz) and pushed those concerns away. I got everything packed and ready to go for the next day.

My friend Jan came at about 6 pm to pick me up and we went out for dinner at Chalet Suisse. It was great to catch up and hear about all the goings on. After running a few errands (and another futile search for maple butter) she dropped me back home. Flipped on 22 Minutes; another stellar episode. It’s the one show that makes me totally guffaw when watching it. That Jay Leno bit especially was dead on the money.

And at 8.22 pm Eastern from my friends at CBC Halifax, the following popped on screen:



I had made my debut as a part of The Kids in The Hall! I was now part of Canadian comedy lore!

I think I made it to about 10 pm and then gave up. Time to hit the hay.

Yesterday, day 157, and it was time to head out. Got a few last minute things done (and the discovery of some discrepancy of travel arrangements). Stopped at another health food store (maple butter? Strike two). Stopped at Chapters to grab a book of puzzles. Got dropped at the bus stop.

I exit the terminal to get in line and I hear “so, how was your dive?”. This throws me. How do I know this woman? “Barrie, remember?”. Of course! I ended up getting the same driver as I had on new year’s day. It was nice to chat and just shoot the breeze.

Switched at York U and then got dropped off at Square One mall. Kelly Kelly Kelly was along shortly after the drop to pick me up and head to her swim practice. Once we got to the pool I got to sit in the “observation deck”. This was totally foreign to me; you want me to SIT by the pool? It was really bizarre but I made it through, mostly because I got to chat with Kelly’s co-coach, who is a French teacher and Reach for the top coach by trade. We swapped war stories.

Kelly’s mom met us at a gorgeous Thai restaurant where we enjoyed a delicious dinner. Kelly and I then returned to her house to just relax. Which I did after getting my hotel straightened out from LA (shuttle issues). By 10 pm I was once again out like a light, it was time to get some zzzzzzzzzzzz before the early wakeup.

I got up at 5 on day 158. I’d like to say that there was fun in fives, or five makes you feel alive, something like that. But the fact is that it’s REALLY EARLY. Super early in fact. We were out the door at 5.30 am on the road, and after a quick stop at Timmie’s, it was time to get in line.
I won’t mention the airline that I took although I will state that they weren’t being extremely helpful in line. You have to get your own boarding card printed out… which requires you to have passport, flight number and the location you’re staying at. I helped two different passengers… time to staff more helpers, (*mumbles airline name*)!

As I was flying into the US, it’s a bit more work these days. One – get boarding card. Two – check in with staff. Three – wait for your call time for the customs line. Four, go through customs where some lady yelled to somewhere near me “DON’T EVEN LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT. I’LL THROW YOU OUT”. I wish I’d have known her name, I’d have had her reported. Five – still lugging your luggage, drop it off on the conveyor belt (wheeled suitcases turned up please and thank you!). Six – clear security. Seven – realize what has all just happened and regroup.

So I get in the plane shortly before 9 am. I look up and my goodness, it’s getting scary. Two cast members who were formerly main players on Degrassi: The Next Generation are on my plane. Currently one is sitting diagonally behind me two rows. While I have not talked to either of them yet (although you can bet your sweep bippy that I want to) it has occurred to me that she was in Dog Sees God that I saw in March of this past year. Maybe that’s an angle…

Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion!
Cheers,
Vick.

AND NOW, THE EXCITING CONCLUSION.
So the fun started near the end of the flight. We were delayed as the bridge wasn’t ready. I saw my chance and turned around to say hello to the one of the two that was near me, asking if indeed she was in Dog Sees God back in Toronto (which I saw in March and was EXCELLENT). We chatted briefly.

Later I’m at the baggage claim. I see my dive bag come down the chute. Excellent. Then my clothes backpack pops out. Perfect. I’m on the opposite side of the rotation, so I just have to watch in the meantime to pick them both up.

But there’s a problem.

My clothes pack – which popped out SECOND is now first. Umm, that’s not good. How have I missed it?

I wait a few more rotations and see it. Ah! This is good. I pick it up. There’s a heavy/lourd sticker on it.

It clicks in. It’s not mine.

Oh dear.

It turns out someone has the same exact bag as me (and having never seen said bag in stores, I find that mind boggling). I let it go back on the rotation.

In the meantime, I figure “well, considering the day I’m having, we might as well go for it”.
I approach Paula (who I talked to before) and Lauren. Slightly sheepishly, I confirm that yes they are indeed two of the cast members from Degrassi: The Next Generation. I explain that I have students that watch the show and ask politely if I might be able to get a picture to show to my students. They are more than happy to oblige!



I have to say, all things considered, this is an EPIC WIN.

I then go immediately and flag down the baggage attendant. Apparently this happens all the time.

I just have to laugh. That’s the best way to deal with it. I go and grab a nutrigrain bar at the snack shop – it was now getting to the point where it was later in the day (ie. supper back east) and I hadn’t even had lunch yet (don’t get me started about paying 7$ for a sandwich on the plane). I have a nice chat with one of the baggage attendants and she is quite helpful in arranging for my later shuttle.

And soon enough my bag turns up again! I find it ever so hilarious that it turns out that a LAPD officer took it… isn’t that against the law???

After some confusion I finally get my shuttle to the Econo Lodge, where I now sit. Sadly there seems to be some problem with the internet – I have a serious issue with you advertising wireless and then not being able to deliver as I am not able to get it in my room. It’s not that it’s do or die; rather, I’d like to update this blog!

We’ll see, however. I think I might go get some pizza for the evening meal. Depends if I can get a slice or two.

Wheel of Fortune taping tomorrow!

Cheers again,
Vick.