New Zealand

The Story

I am currently in the northern portion of New Zealand, enjoying the beautiful beach town of Paihia. When the wind calms, the conditions are rather nice - except that of the water temperature. My time in Auckland was spent wandering around the town and enjoying the company of my new friend Amber whom I stayed with.

The drive north in my rented toyota reminded me of the Irish countryside, beautiful rolling hills of green grass. A french hitchhiker, Celine, has accompanied me during the drive and provided good company for wandering around the town and countryside, teaching me about her new home in New Calidonia (near fiji).

Tomorrow I will leave for the West Coast and then make my way down to the southern portion of Northern New Zealand. I have decided that I will try to work when I arrive in Australia in a month - it will provide a different context to learn in as well as save money.

The Reflection

Travel is unique in that the entire purpose for me is simply to observe and participate in whatever ways possible - I am removed though, in a way that can not be as easily accomplished in the daily grind. My time thus far has preserved a stillness that provides a time for quietly experiencing nature, people, and the inner voice/true self/infinite reality/voice of God (as I prefer to call it due to the relational implications). Travel helps me to cultivate a perspective of viewing each experience as an opportunity to learn and grow. The growth is tested in times when difficulties arise - which I am sure will happen when traveling in Asia. New Zealand is fairly easy to travel in, so I am not challenged in many ways, except the first two hours of driving on the left side of the road.

I have found that the most important thing I learn while traveling is to listen to the inner voice/voice of God. I have found that it can guide me far better than any attempt at rationality. It seems that rationality is so often limited, as it is so dependent upon experience. One person experiences X event with a certain perspective and the person is forced to either use the situation to affirm their belief/value system, deny it by the basis of their value system, or be changed by it. There doesn't appear to be any logic to this process, it seems a constant changing perspective is the only way to adapt to such a mysterious life experience - I am rambling.

I apologize for typos, my time is limited. I would love to hear anyone' feedback or current experiences that are shaping their perspective.

go well and don't forget to look and listen,
Karl