We started by attending the International Rugby Sevens Parade on Friday.
The Sevens is a shortened game of Rugby where international teams compete all weekend for the cup but for some strange reason, ALL 55,000 spectators dress up in hilarious outfits - usually coordinated in large groups; a group of geishas, kenyan long distance runners, nuns, Christmas trees, etc etc etc!
It is a prerequisite to consume excess alcoholic beverages so you can imagine the city is entirely taken over by crazy and boisterous groups of kiwis. Next year Kyle and I are going to assemble a Canadian cast and dress up like Mounties (minus the excess alcohol) - tix to the games were all sold out this year :(
The game itself is fast paced and so exciting to watch. Canada got pummelled (boo) but NZ WON! (hooray!!). They played so well - Kyle and I are now super fans. Here is a link to some images from the press to view some of the costumes: http://www.nzisevens.co.nz/galleries/2011
Saturday, I hit the Martinborough Fair with my mom - it is in a wine growing region of NZ and from Wellington it is a 1.5 hour drive up switchback mountain pass with a 1000m cliff just a few inches from the car - my stomach loved it ;) The market itself was fab (and huge) and I loved checking out the amazing NZ creativity (and YES, I spent way too much money on a one-of-a-kind skirt).
Sunday was Waitangi Day in NZ - the day that NZ was founded by the signing of the treaty of Waitangi (1840). It is still very controversial as it was between the Maori and Pakeha (European settlers) and disputes land/land rights. As you can imagine, NZ has similar issues to the land claims of Native Americans in North America. Approx 25% of NZ population is Maori so the traditions/language/culture (or resurgence of them anyway) is very apparent. They are not to be messed with as they are all big dudes and covered in tattoos! We went to a concert where Maori performances (Haka, etc) were very cool.
Finally, we thoroughly enjoyed a lovely visit to my Dad's sister who lives here in Wellington. They have a daughter with kids the same age as ours - yet more cousins and playmates for Adelyn and Grayson :)
L
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