Prior to this, I had the unique experience of celebrating Australia Day. Turns out, Aussies are even more crazy than I thought. Despite being sick and having work the next morning, I joined everyone at the T Bar for the celebrations. Although, I refused to dress up like an Aussie, despite many Canadians doing so. That was a line I was not willing to cross. Almost every single Australian I know in the resort was dressed up, drunk, and partying hard. Someone even had a giant inflatable jandal with the Australian flag printed on it, which was apparently used as a toboggan before they arrived at the party. The bar did well to celebrate the day, with a big flag behind the bar and some classic Australian songs such as hits from "Men At Work".
Next came Waitangi Day, definitely not as big of a party - I guess us Kiwis just don't care enough. But it did become the day that I did my first ever black run. Ever since the day of my horrifying experience into the wilderness I had become extremely cautious with where I went on the mountain, not venturing past the green runs. Yet on Waitangi Day, my friend Catherine (she's a gem) convinced me that it would be a good idea to test out a blue run, just start building my confidence back up. So I went, and it was great. WAY easier than I thought it would be, and I had a good time. So, that afternoon I went out boarding with my friend Haydn and suddenly became more adventurous that I had been previously. We went up the Champagne chair and on the way down happened to end up on a black run. While this experience was slightly more terrifying than my morning on the blue run, I got down it safe and sound. Suddenly I had come to the realisation that black runs AREN'T actually that bad, they are just a bit (a lot) steeper than what I was used to. While I may have been slightly tricked into going down the run, I was definitely not complaining and was more than ready to put on my All Blacks jersey for a good Kiwi party that night.
Coming off the high of my black run experience, I was apprehensive, but willing, to join a group of friends on an expedition to the summit. Susie and I were the newbies in the group, but everyone was really good and happy to go at a pace we were comfortable with which made the whole experience much more enjoyable. When we got to the summit, it was such a good feeling. We could see for miles, until a sudden snowstorm attacked us briefly, and had a good time taking some photos.
After finally experiencing the summit, I really don't know what I was so worried about. I had such a great time and I can't wait to go again.
The main focus for everyone now seems to be the off season and summer. Most of my friends and I have applied for summer jobs, although we have yet to hear anything on the matter, and our now trying to figure out what we will do for the off season. Its a long period of time in which we have to support ourselves, 12 weeks or something ridiculous. So I'm freaking out just a little. I'm doing my best to save as much money as I can, but I'm still stressing about how to do the travel I want to without running out of money completely. Should be interesting to see how that works out.
Thanks for reading!
