'O' Week Extravaganzas

DIZZY?
'O' Week at the University of Otago is not what you would expect from most college orientation weeks. It is a school-sponsored excuse to play hard, or as our bus driver today said, "A time to put your face to the floor and your ass in the air." I am still trying to figure that one out, but it seems to make sense on some level...Local pubs (which are plentiful) compete for 'O' Week specials, including: 4pm-10pm Happy Hours, ubiquitous free t-shirts, $6 jugs of the local ale, and many karaoke nights. I have found that an effort to escape the American popular music industry is useless, hearing recently such "favorites" as I did it all for the Nookie, Sweet Home Alabama, Pour some Sugar on me, and yes, even Summer Nights from Grease. Though I would have to say that hearing a kiwi sing Springsteen's Born in the USA definitely takes the cake.

SONIC REDEMPTION
However, this is not to say that the local music scene is not hopping - a few nights ago we went to The Arc, a vegetarian cafe and bar in the CBD that has live music in their cozy backroom venue. There we were rocked and swayed by the Retrophonic Funk Machine, who, with their sextet of sax, trumpet, trombone, bass, drums and synth, squeezed out a chilled back mix of bossa-nova and more modern jazz. Let's just say they lived up to their name - which is actually a good synthesis of what might be their genre (if they fit into one). I am excited to hear more local and New Zealand acts, and will keep searching them out...


















PENINSULA OF SPLENDOR
One exciting part of 'O' Week for the international students included an adventurous outing to the Otago Peninsula today. (Above: The scenic peninsula from various vantages) We stopped at a few different choice locations, seeing an albatross (with nearly a ten foot wingspan!), a fur seal from only four feet away, and a baby penguin! There were of course many sheep and cattle, and even flocks of black swans. We also visited an extremely breezy beach. Being relentlessly pelted by 40mph sand made it hard to keep my eyes open - picturesque as it was. Even breathing was difficult. (Above: Not relaxing, I recline under a hovel on the windswept beach). Four hours later, as I type this post, sand is still falling out of my ears and gritting between my teeth. I feel a little violated, but have once again brought a little of the beach home. This probably means that some of it will make it home with me to Minnesota in four months, however I don't plan on telling that to New Zealand customs...

GRUB
The peninsula trip ended as any good day trip should - with free food. There was a lovely cookout where we were reminded once more that New Zealand knows how to treat its vegetarians (and rightly so: nearly a third of the international students are veggies!). (Above: Awwww. A cuddly-seeming fur seal naps after eating two international students for lunch). We had the choice of lasagna, pumpkin and spinach patties (yum!), or lentil and rice patties. At one point, the fiery woman dishing out the vegetarian cuisine told a non-veggie that she couldn't have any because she could eat any of the other items and it would be rude to take food away from the vegetarians. Not sure about that move, but she definitely made her point. The fixins were perfect. I had three helpings and am rightly stuffed; got to show off the belly a little, right? Don't worry though, my digestion continues as per usual, and I have stared The Dan Thiede Exercise Program 2006, so I won't have to be rolled home.

Damn windy:

Jessie feels for the trees,

and gives a little lean