Climbing Real Rocks

 

 Since being in New Zealand, I have been able to climb real rocks twice.

This past Saturday, the UC climbing club took new and old people out to climb the Cattlestop Crag in the porthills of Christchurch.

Our climbing adventure started off early in the morning. After a drive, we made way to the crag with all of our gear. We climbed and belayed and chilled until around 2:30. I then went with 3 other folks down to Taylor's mistake for a dip in the ocean which lasted a few hours. It was a blazing 29 C.

We then proceeded to a cool pub, had some nice discussions, then went to a BBQ held by the climbing club and friends.

Overall, another successful day.





The first photo is obviously not me nor did I take it. I did not take the bottom pictures either.

Coffee and Sweat: a random story in Christchurch

After a lovely Thursday night of good coffee and conversation with Rachel, Friday grew near. The plan was to find Axis Jiu-jitsu and have myself some rolls.

On Monday, I ended up getting lost in the city and went to the wrong martial arts gym (thanks Google). I ended up rolling with some nice dudes and obtaining a ride back to campus but nevertheless, I wanted to explore all of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gyms about Christchurch. 

Once my classes let out on Friday, I talked to Ryan for a bit then set off for the gym. After two bus connections, a bit of a walk and a sketchy bathroom, I found it. 

It was open mats and there were people everywhere. I put on my gi and rolled with quite a few people for about an hour an half; 8 minute rounds. The gym was easily one of the hottest gyms I have ever rolled in. However hot it was, it was still a fabulous open mat.   

Again, someone was kind enough to drive me back. Tired and sweaty, my lovely flatmate and a few friends all cooked dinner together. 

The end. 

First Week of Classes

Here I will attempt to summarize my first week at the University of Canterbury (UC or uni). 

The atmosphere of UC (and New Zealand as a whole, really) is very laid back. The courses, or papers as the kiwis' say, generally have a few assignments and a final that determine one's grade in a term. There is a great sense of independence among campus. 

Since the drinking age is 18, student orientation week gets nuts. Most college students are of age thus, most events involve alcohol and take up the entirety of Ilam fields (i.e. the Toga party, Mardi Gras, ect.) . 

Personally, I think the campus pub/ orientation events are pretty lame. They are expensive and packed with a bunch of anxious, drunk freshman. 

I am very excited for my classes! So far I am enrolled in

 Geothermal and Ore exploration, 

Environmental Processes: Applications and Principles,

 Environmental Processes: Research Practice, 

Aotearoa: Introduction to Traditional Maori Society, 

and CHCH101: Rebuilding Christchurch. 

I also signed up for the tramping (hiking) club, climbing club, and the wine tasting club. I have been going to free yoga Tuesday and Thursday mornings and sitting in on an Antarctica course right afterwards. I stumbled upon a some nice jiu-jitsu folk and found a bjj gym to train at as well as a rock wall to practice on. 

I discovered a sweet new band and started painting a picture.  

Well that's basically my week in a nutshell. . .