28 Springs

This, will never happen again. Was my 27th birthday, 

I spend all my previous birthdays in company of my beloved Family, never went to school neither to work, and if I was abroad, I made sure to be back for 'My day', till today.

The Stanleys

Yesterday night Antonio and Me were the guests to a beautiful soirée at the Stanley family house;

Anne & Greg Stanley, Liv and her boyfriend Nick, and Tom and girlfriend Candice, were the hosts.

Tom is 21, rugby player in High School Old Boys, and he just finish a degree in building engineering. Since I arrive in Christchurch, I met some outstanding people, and Tom and his family probably are on top of the list.

They gave me the opportunity to get an extra cash doing some work in their garden, and Tom act as my cicerone. He show me the city, the damage, told me a bit of history from the place, and drove me around Christchurch too. Something that I really really appreciate. like Tom says, 'someone has to do it'.

There is not too much to say about the dinner, -actually I am speechless- but that, it was a fantastic time. A very nice roast pork, Pavlova cake for dessert -they already know my weakness about sweet stuff, and they offer me to take away what was left after repeating three times- all of this watering with wines from the private collection of Tom's father, lot of laughs, and Antonio and me at our usual best. All of this make ours nights priceless.

Sadly there is not pictures from the night, but I recover this document from the dust that I want to share with you.

Highway nº 1

 To not bother you much with my Christmas trip, I decide to change the title of it.

On my way up to Wellington, Daniel and me took a bus back to Christchurch, and then another one from our beloved city to Picton. Town probably famous, just because is the port where the ferry towards Wellington leave.

Highway nº 1, this is the road, that links Christchurch and Picton, via Northwest coast, and surround by mountains, cliffs and beaches.  I have to say that, this is the most beautiful bus ride I have ever did.

Ironically another Highway nº 1, but this one in California, have the name for one of the most scenics road in the world. Me, luckily I had the chance to ride both, and I think the NZ one is considerably nicer. Probably the Californian one is more glamorous for where it is, and James Dean.

Judge by yourselves...

...This is it.

The move night ferry up to Wellington, the pass from 2011 to 2012 in company of a charming and bossy policewoman officer - No, don't worry Antonio, the only one with criminal records, are you and Alan still- and flight back to Christchurch, because a flight is cheaper than a bus, are not worth of deeper mention.

P.S. Wellington is a very nice, and lively city worth to visit one more time, maybe with you Antonio.      

'The Reason'

The pictures are not from the best quality, but good enough to see the Silver Fern in their breasts. 

That Silver Fern is the National emblem of New Zealand, and their Famous All Blacks Rugby Team. 

This guys, my friends, are my coaches, and yes, one time not long ago, All Blacks and legends of this Sport, and the ultimate reason that took me to this country 

Aaron Mauger, Nathan Mauger and Reuben Thorne.

This is actually the reason.

For me, at this stage, hearing from Aaron Mauger -with 46 caps for his country and two Rugby World Cups under his belt-  comments like 'good skills Juan'... are just priceless. 

Now, I'M ENJOYING, inside me there is a fulfilling feeling of HAPPINESS, much needed after a tough and sad end of year.