It’s My Party

As many of you may or may not know July 13th is my birthday! This is the first year I had my birthday away from home and in winter! Even though I didn’t see my parents or any of my US friends I had an amazing amazing 24 plus hours. The night before my birthday Ally and Alex and I went out to an Indian restaurant called Monsoon Poon (insert bad joke here). We shared a delicious creamy pumpkin curry somewhat reminiscent of butternut bisque (they’re really into eating pumpkin here, and I’m all for it) and a more spicy complex white fish curry with rice that came in a cone shape and garlic onion naan. It was such a treat to eat a nice meal after cooking largely pasta and broccoli. After a luxurious dinner we shared the first of three birthday cake things, a chocolate brownie with cream (they drop the ”whipped in nz) from espressoholic, a cool cafe downtown with graffiti ambiance and good music. Appropriately enough they were playing Bob Dylan, one of my favorites. Saturday night was also a rugby rematch of New Zealand versus South Africa which we watched at a pub. New Zealand lost and surprisingly enough we didn’t see anyone crying in the streets. After this tragic defeat we went out dancing at a local student bar that we had scoped out on wednesday night. They had a live band on at 11:30, with an especially impressive tambourine player that bore a striking resemblance to Daniel Vosocik (he didn’t take his scarf off all night). Also, we’ve only been out a hand full of times but it seems that they only have about twenty songs in rotation in New Zealand, all of them old school American classics. We met some local rugby players who were happy to take part in our celebration. After sleeping in the actual day of my birthday, and talking to my parents on the phone, Ally and Alex and I (yes they are my only two friends, yes they both go to Tufts, I know I’m pathetic) took a breathtakingly beautiful half hour ferry ride to Day’s Bay. It was probably the nicest weather we’ve had so far on our trip. It was SUNNY! didn’t rain, and I was comfortable in a light sweatshirt (I never know what the actual temperature is because I don’t have internet and the temperature here is in Celsius). Once we landed we walked around the small coast line. We looked at beautiful paintings, ceramics and jewlryin a shop and then popped into a cafe with a large terrace facing the water. New Zealanders are serious about cafes, especially espresso drinks. It is incredibly difficult to find drip coffee here, and every barista is an artist. So much more love and care goes into every drink I see being made. Fun Fact: Wellington has the highest number of cafes and restaurants per capita than any other city in the world. Also, you don’t have to tip here, which is great, even though it makes the prices higher. Anyway, I had a beautifully  embellished, chai latte with the thickest steamed milk I’ve ever had. It was the perfect companion to an enormous piece of carrot cake with rich cream cheese frosting and large pecans. (Yes, this might as well be a food blog). Our ride back was slightly more cold and windy, but even more amazing as the sun was setting. New Zealand looks like nothing else I have ever seen. The landscapes seem both prehistoric and futuristic, ancient yet computer generated. I honestly can’t do them justice with words so you all will just have to hold your breath until I can upload photos.

On the Ferry

 

beautiful!

 

 

After our amazing excursion my flat mates (or flatties) took me out to dinner at One Red Dog, a cute and rustic italian restaurant. I had a lamb terriyaki pizza that came with mushrooms and scallions. It was deliciously combination of gamey lamb, earthy mushrooms, and the sweet sauce. My flatties also gave me a New Zealand cook book, and I promised to make them recipes out of it. They then suprised me with a cake with trick candles, that were literally impossible to blow out. It was an incredibly rich, moist chocolate raspberry cake with vanilla ice cream covered in a light raspberry sauce. It was the perfect end to a perfect day.

 

                                                                                  My french flattie amandine

  

                                                               The Flatties. From left, Alina, Me, Amondine and Amar

And now I get to celebrate my birthday for yet another day. Here is is the 14th, but in the states my birthday has just begun. I love getting messages from home. It’s a great reminder to keep in touch with everyone even when I am so far away.

For the first time I actually feel older and wiser on my birthday. These short few weeks have been such a growing up experience for me. This is the first time I’ve lived more than three train stops from home. The first time I’ve lived overseas. The first time I’ve flatted with international students, most of whom are considerably older than me. The first time I’ve had to cook for myself. The first time navigating school in another country. It has been extremely overwhelming, but I now know that I truly am capable of handling anything that is thrown my way. For the first time I actually feel like an adult, and I’m so thrilled to be 20!