Role Play
… Don't you ever wonder
Maybe if things had been slightly different
You could be somebody else?
Don't you wonder maybe
If you took a left turn
Instead of taking a right
You could be somebody different?
- Dave Matthews - Dancing Nancies
And while I’m not looking to change my life or its perfectly imperfect circumstances, it is curiously intriguing to dream. The wondrously windy Wellington (fact: the windiest city in the world), along with our other stops on the North Island (Rotorua and Auckland), have afforded us ample opportunity to observe, to wonder, to role play and to dream.
Perhaps one of the most significant things we have observed here is the respectful relationship between the Māori (the indigenous Polynesian people of mainland New Zealand/Aotearoa)and the community at large. Symbols of the culture are woven proudly into the architecture and design of cities, and all visible literature, from street names to brochures, have the Māori language embedded within it. The education system seems to have also found ways to respectfully provide a foundational understanding of the language, traditions and customs both large and small. One such example that was described by our Kiwi friend was the use of a kete bag (a traditional basket made and used by the Māori woven from the leaves of the New Zealand flax) to send home notes for parents in preschool. Incorporating these features into daily life helps me to understand that, although small, they play a significant role in creating a culture of diversity and harmony. Our time spent with NZ friends had India and Oscar practicing the Māori Alphabet song, (A ha ka ma na slow and fast), as well as exploring traditional Huka dances. Throughout our NZ travels, the blended presence of all cultures was alive and well giving cause for hope.
Our opportunity to engage in wonder and role-play came in the likeliest of forms - in the world of movie-making. Before our travels ensued, we faced many failed attempts to try and engage our children in both the Lord of the Rings & Hobbit Trilogies, always claiming they were too terrifying. So although we were hopeful they might muster some level of interest in envisioning themselves amongst these high fantasy adventures, we weren't overly optimistic. In a last-ditch effort, we downloaded the movies for long hauls between destinations. Turns out daytime driving amongst the most epic of fantasy backdrops ignited the switch! India lit up in the most beautiful of ways while exploring and interacting with the WETA Workshops (a special effects and prop company that produces effects for television and films such as Lord of the Rings, Avatar and Game of Thrones) and Hobbiton. From learning how margarine was the secret ingredient to the success behind the Wētā empire, to receiving a quick introductory lesson on one of their most important sculpting ingredients, tin foil, India was hooked! Since then, she has been spotted feverishly compiling a list of creative projects that range from building Hobbit doors throughout our woodsy backyard to designing a miniature “Wednesday” world with our old dollhouse. It is a magical thing indeed to watch your little girl, who is seamlessly morphing into a pre-teen, slip into the absolute wonder of a Hobbit-sized fairytale world. Truth be told we all did. For an insane price that was worth every penny, we rambled, drank, feasted and frolicked amongst Peter Jackson’s insanely and impeccably detailed world of Hobbit. When both our bellies and the moon were full, our guide, who was a master storyteller in his own right, gathered us in a circle upon the Party Feild in the Shire where we extinguished our lanterns and dialled into the moment. Skillfully and gracefully, he led us in a short visualization prompting us to think long enough about a moment so that it becomes a selfie in your long-term memory, thus reminding us of a truth. That something as simple as a clear night sky ablaze with stars is magic enough in itself…
But our three weeks in the North Island were magical for reasons that exceeded the night sky. The essence of human connection is something that has never been lost on us. In the life that we forged in our year-long travels to Thunder Bay and Korea, friendships were what made our time both enduring and worthwhile. In our current life at home, relationships have coloured our daily grind. Here in NZ, we have continued to be on the receiving end of some great connections and kindnesses, receiving personal Auckland tour guide services from my high school pal, Hilary, and her two boys, as well as being taken under her friend's wings during the Easter weekend in Wellington. We can now consider ourselves “schooled” in the likes of many Kiwi favourites, from Marmite (a close relative to Vegemite) to Lumps (chocolate coated pineapple) to Weet-Bix, pies and cheerios (bright red cocktail sausages). We’ve also picked up some new vocabulary to go with it, jandles (sandals), togs (swimsuits) and chilly bins (coolers) might actually stick! Until next time NZ (because there WILL be a next time), Kia Ora.
Sounds like another lovely (and jealousy-inducing!) leg of your tour!
ReplyDeleteAmazing pictures and trip details. You have given your family an unforgettable adventure. Keep travelling safe xo
ReplyDelete