Glory Hole In Anaheim

life and Christmas in Nelson 5th December 2010

Since we are again!

Yes, we know! Lange nix written and now even such a long gap ... What We of course very angry is that the Skifahrbericht now fits into even the German time. Ok, here's what else will (eventually) and the rough chronology:

- Report on the Queen Charlotte Track - end of July
- our time as a hostel Sitter in Anakiwa - August
- our experiences in the Golden Bay - September
- Hanmer Springs, Christchurch after the quake and Akaroa - September
- Search jobs in Wellington - October, November
- New Life in Nelson - the end of November to today

Before we come to the most important, Christmas, the birth of Christ and of the greatest promotional coup ever, the Coca-Cola red Santa Claus Niko, the second most important:

We now live in Nelson, have both found a job here and we rented a small house with palm trees in the garden and a wood stove and will remain for a long time here. Christine works at a small company and takes care of organizing visits abroad for German students in Nelson and has a permanent position. It was clear where we draw. Mark is first a 2 month contract, also in Nelson, and many ideas how to go after it (working in Nelson, commuting to Wellington, studying at NMIT or what appears otherwise). That he also, and as soon as found in Nelson, is remarkable for the time being, despite a short term contract, as Nelson quite small. With 70,000 inhabitants, but again quite good for New Zealand, so there is also plenty of entertainment, bars, clubs and great cafes. Even a 3-D cinema. We have set up on Trademe, the local Ebay, flea markets, and the donation of one or the other neighbors and colleagues. We even have a front loader washing machine, which provides among Kiwis for real head-shaking. On application for permanent residence, we also work and this topic will deal sure one time or another.

Nelson: Top of the South Iceland

Our new little Cottage

 

The garden

Seaview (out of some windows)

Palmtree and bench in the garden

Guest Room - you're welcome to visit us!

So, now is summer here in New Zealand and the Nelson's competition with other cities in New Zealand sun is in full swing. Nelson is currently slightly ahead of Whakatane and Blenheim is the eternal rival this year mounted significantly. We expect around 2500 - 2600 hours of sunshine for Nelson this year, the best cities in California have as 3000 :-)
So everything way too hot to get into real Christmas spirit. As the Christmas parade was just right and with 15,000 others, we have inveigled this year's parade. The whole parade lasted about 1 hour, 60 groups under the direction of Zugmarschalls Huup scales, cool name, right? Nevertheless, all in all for NEN Mainzer not particularly impressive. Above all, the very low noise levels, or at least no Helau constantly "Merry Christmas" roar and a total of far too little music. But warm, very warm! The parade ended in Founders Park, a museum, to which we shall come later, and adopted the festival character.

Waiting for the parade

Christmas majorettes?

Ok, now that's christmas!



Burning down the house



One of two Scottish bands

Walking Christmas crib

Slightly scary

Jesus and Maria

Another Christmas crib

Kiwi-horse

At the very end, the star of the Parade!

Santa Claus!

Christmas gathering in the park, looks like the Open Ear Festival in Mainz :-)

We are again over Christmas in Anakiwa and hopefully with all the people there with the boat ride out to an island beach and organize a Christmas Barbeque (BBQ).

If you no longer hear and see you next year: A merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and a Happy New Year 2011!

Love, Mark and Christine



PS: If you call us wants to reach us from now on under our own fixed number 0064 3-5394823