T H E
L I N N - B E N T O N
C O M M U N I T Y
VOL. 52 EDITION 26
C O L L E G E
M AY 2 6 , 2 0 2 1
Snow-capped mountains that we passed by many times while on the road towards our next destination.
Southland of New Zealand, featuring in the photograph, Delta Habb to the far left and Aaron Aspinwall to the far right. Packing up the rental van, parked near Tekapo Lake to head off to a new location to explore and see.
A otearoa (aw·tee·uh·row·uh) Shipwreck Bay in the Northland on a warm summer day.
Postcard from the Future: Land of the Long White Cloud
STORY AND PHOTOS BY HIKARI KAWAI It was like receiving a welcoming, warm hug. That was the first thing that was a huge adjustment for me stepping off that plane in January 2020, was how warm it was here in Aotearoa, New Zealand! Especially in comparison to having experienced the full winter season in Oregon. New Zealand is located in the Southern Hemisphere, meaning the seasons are "opposite" of the seasons we experience in the Northern Hemisphere. I came to New Zealand to do what we call a Discipleship Training, through a Christain organization called YWAM (Youth With a Mission). I went to New Zealand for about three months to do volunteer work, listen to different speakers talk about the bible, God, and faith. During the fourth month I was in New Zealand, I stayed back with a few of my friends to travel around New Zealand on our own, after we had finished being with the YWAM program. The Kiwi (what New Zealanders call themselves) accent floated around me effortlessly. Making me feel like my English was all big and bumbly. Not to mention how not only was the weather and scenery welcoming but the people were oh so friendly, helpful, and always willing to just chat. As Thalia Alves in “Culture Trips” article said, “Hospitality is New Zealand’s middle
The crew of people I traveled with, we took this on a camera timer. Far left, Hikari Kawai, Delta Habb, Nikolaj Lonka, and Aaron Aspinwall.
name. In the smaller cities, it’s not uncommon for people to smile at passing strangers and say hello.” My first view of New Zealand (aside from fawning over photos on the internet and magazines) was on a van ride to a tiny rural town called Paparoa, about two hours north of the city of Auckland. Through the window, passing by were colors of stunning, bright green, rolling hills, decorated with sheep and cows. The fern trees everywhere gave a luscious texture to the land. In a GloboTreks article, Norbert said “There are nine sheep per each person in New Zealand, making it the highest ratio in the world.” Oh! I cannot ever forget the turquoise shades of green to blue, the light, sandy beaches. Warm water! I'd never gone swimming in water where I didn’t have to take a few seconds to slow down my breathing because it was so cold, or get
goosebumps all up my arms. Encountering the wildlife in New Zealand ranged from snorkeling with the beautiful fish and corals, surfing the waves, to having the rare encounter of getting to swim amongst a pod of wild dolphins swimming up and down the coastline. Not to mention the amazing little coffee shops, fish n’ chips, and classically wellknown New Zealand meat pies! The last month I was in New Zealand (now winter time) me and three other friends planned a van venture around the South Island. Purchasing the cheapest flights possible to go from Auckland to Christchurch and renting THE cheapest van possible. We got on our flight saying goodbye to the other friends we had made, and off we went. Walking with all of our luggage to pick up this Toyota Sienna camper/rental van. We didn’t really have a solid plan. We just wanted to see different parts of the Southland and go hiking. In New Zealand they have huts that you can hike to, depending on what level of a hut they are, you can sometimes sleep in it for free, while other times it could range from $5$25 NZD (New Zealand Dollars) per night. In the four and a half weeks we were bumbling around, we managed to explore the entire bottom half of the Southland. The one expensive bite of food we allowed ourselves to buy was at Fergburger in Queensland. I highly recommend it, especially if you had spent the last several days eating instant noodles and granola bars…
Inside this Edition
GRAPHICS FREEPIK.COM
COPPER CHEF
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PHOTOJ
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As the date of our round trip flight back to the Northland had approached. It was time to go our separate ways. Still feeling as if we were not even close to being finished here. Like any adventure we go on or experience, these were merely a few of the places and things. There was still so much to explore and see. Grudgingly, and while seriously considering canceling my flight, I got on my plane back to Oregon. The land of the long white cloud awaits my return. A fun perspective from inside the van as I sat in the backseat.
CONTINUED ON PAGES 7-8
SPORTS
SEE PAGE 10