December 2008

While living in Devonport, Rob Buchanan came down for a visit. Through the efforts of Peter Baker, the Auckland Limb Society was donating a couple of boxes of extra parts and used prosthetic limbs. I had picked up the two boxes, but they still had some walkers available if Rob needed them. So when Rob came to Auckland, we went over there and picked up another 6 walkers. I couldn't believe Rob got all those parts and walkers into his ancient station wagon. But he did! Must be all those years of living on boats.















Through MEND, I became friends with a lovely family who also lives in Devonport. Bridget and her 3 girls have sailed all over the world - at first with their husband/father, and then on their own when he passed suddenly from a heart attack. I was able to help prepare for the wedding of the oldest girl, Emma, to Izumi, who is French and Japanese.













We went together for Christmas carols in Devonport. Christmas caroling parties in the parks is one of the delights of a southern hemisphere Christmas.













I also acted as tour guide for some of the wedding guests on Christmas Day and Boxing Day (the day after Christmas).













We headed out to the surf beaches of New Zealand's west coast, to Muriwai Beach. Muriwai is home to a growing gannet colony. Gannets are large sea birds, and people say the first flight the young birds take is a nonstop flight from New Zealand to Australia, 2000 km away.



































































After watching the gannets, we went down onto Muriwai Beach and enjoyed watching the people and the surf. The west coast beaches are notorious for the tidal rips they have, and many people die every year around New Zealand because they get caught, and if they are not good swimmers, they don't make it back in. This is why it is always recommended to swim only between the flags the volunteer lifesaving teams set up when they are on duty.

































Right before Christmas I spent two days dressed up in animal costumes, raising money for SAFE: Save Animals From Exploitation. I never once actually asked people for money. I just smiled and said hello or good morning, and people gave and gave. It was a great excuse to greet and smile at everyone I saw. I had so much fun I am going to go back to my favorite fundraising corner this next week and give out Free Hugs, which I haven't done in a while.













Through my friend Kathy Light, I was very fortunate to obtain a position taking care of a lovely Victorian villa over the holidays, when the owners went to the beach for 3 weeks. Here a few photos of the fireplace tiles and stained glass windows.








































It has a pool in the back. I never knew how careful one must be to keep a swimming pool set up correctly. I rarely swim in it myself, because the chlorine is not good for my body. It's lovely to look at, but I would never want one myself.

This month marks 2 years since I have been living nomadically and volunteering. I find I have no desire to have a permanent home. I only need the occasional week spent completely on my own, like in this house sitting situation, to 'recharge my batteries'. Recently I purchased tickets to go to India for 6 months. I will spend 3 months in Kashmir (unless it is truly too dangerous for me to go there), volunteering for the Hope Rehabilitation Centre. This was one of the organisations which made the finalist list of the BBC World Challenge:
http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/html/project08_hope.html
Rob Buchanan of The MEND Trust was key to getting it started, and MEND supplies most of the funding for it. I hope to bring 6 used laptops with me to help teach computer skills to some of the disabled people who come to the Centre. I have one laptop so far.

I am waiting to hear whether the other 3 months will be spent working to help stop slavery with Free The Slaves, or working with one of Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity located in several places in India.