Christchurch

I woke up today feeling like crap. I've had this nagging cough the past 4-5 days and I think I coughed up a lung on the top bunk last night. I called Mamma Dukes this morning who advised me to take the antibiotic that the doctor gave me before I left, so hopefully that kicks in tomorrow and I won't feel like I'm dying.

I walked around Christchurch all day today. It's a pretty city and has tons of old buildings and great architecture. I've taken quite a few pictures, probably more here then any other city so far. My hostel is located in the middle of Cathedral Square so I'm in the central part of town right next to the church (hence the name Christchurch). I went down to the botanical gardens but it was so damn hot out that I escaped into the Canterbury Museum then I roamed over to the Art Center which has a bunch of small shops, boutiques, and cafes. Then I found myself jumping onto a trolley and riding around the city. I ended back up in Cathedral Square and I watched a ton of street performers (I actually saw a guy juggle a chainsaw and two balls!) and browsed the outdoor markets. I think tomorrow I'm going to hit up Christchurch's Contemporary Art Museum (my cup of tea!). Speaking of tea... I've had two pots today. The tea and coffee here is spectacular, although I do find myself thinking about Dunkin Donuts sometimes. There's a Starbucks on every damn corner, but I won't set foot in one of them at home, so I'm not giving in here (Hail Dunkin Donuts and Wawa!).

After my second pot of tea today I was walking around and walked into Cathedral Square to these two kids who couldn't have been more then 10 years old playing the bagpipes and the drums. Now I've heard the bagpipes at Notre Dame games and on tv and during St. Patty's Day and all that, but I guess I've just never REALLY listened to them being played. These 10 year olds were amazing. Now I don't know a good bagpipe and drum player from a ham sandwhich, but I thought they were brilliant. They had this huge crowd around them and they were playing to collect money to go to some competition. At one point a lady called out to them and I realized that she must have been their mom or teacher or something, and they started playing Amazing Grace, it literally brought tears to my eyes, I couldn't believe it. I am still amazed by how good they sounded... hell I couldn't play the recorder in Mrs. Speca's 3rd grade music class let alone play it now. I sat there and listened to them for a good 30-40 minutes then threw a $5 into their suitcase because I was so impressed. I can only hope the mother/teacher/whatever is going to take a cut of the cash... I think that's something you'd hear on the news in the US!!!

I have read just about 4 books so far over here...

--A Million Little Pieces (it was still good, I don't care if he lied)
--Running with Scissors (a very funny yet strange true story)
--Scar Tissue (Bio of Anthony Kiedis and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, a must read
--Little Girl Lost (almost finished this, it's about two German girls fleeing Hamburg during the war and they're trying to find their mother... Kurt and Margie if you haven't read this, you should, it's very good and an easy read)

Also, some additions to Top Jobs in NZ (I copied and pasted the ones from before)

-Tandem Skydive Jumper/Instructor
-Cave tour guide
-Aqua-taxi boat driver in Abel Tasman Park
-Kiwi Experience bus driver (actually, any type of bus driver, they're all CRAZY!)
-Ocean Kayaking Guide
-Glacier Hiking Guide
-Bungy Jumping Cord Operator
-Steamboat Operator (went on a 100 year old steamboat in Q-town)
-Rafting Guide
-More to come!