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Leaving Hamilton, I continued my way south to Masterton. It was spring, spring, glorious spring. The many lovely shades and tints of green compelled me to stop and take this photo, even though there was no blue sky anywhere. It had been raining for days. I couldn't wait for the sun to appear.In Masterton I stopped in and saw Martyn's parents and his sister Gayle. Gayle's front porch was dripping with flowers. Very romantic:
I had intended to head to Wellington to attend a weekend conference on Nonviolent Communication. Unfortunately, it was cancelled because too many people dropped out. I was disappointed, but it opened up an opportunity for me to pursue my interest in alternative currencies. I have been interested in this topic ever since beginning my study of the debt-based monetary system we live under, and what the solutions are. Alternative, local currencies are the answer, in my and many others' opinion. Masterton and Carterton in the Wairarapa district are hotbeds of activity in this field. I remember seeing a photo earlier this year of a print run of the new local Wairarapa currency, and I wanted to talk to the people involved. So I hopped on the Internet at the local library, and found out where their office was in Masterton. Eventually I found my way to Glenyss Kurtz, the treasurer.
She was happy to sell some Wairarapa trading vouchers to me - at the current exchange rate of $1 NZ per 1 voucher. It so helps to show people a real life example of alternative currencies,
when the conversation turns to our unsustainable financial system (especially the US currency).Glenyss told me about Helen Dew in nearby Carterton, and suggested I meet her, too. So I rang her, and she kindly agreed to meet me for a chat that same day. Wow. What a lady. She has been living and breathing alternative currencies and lifestyle for many years, and is a wealth of knowledge.
As she was talking to me, something told me to videotape her. She agreed, and I proceeded to make a movie of Helen discussing the basics of alternative currency. Here is the link to the YouTube video of Helen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9ChKqC78tgHelen's Living Economies website is www.le.org.nz
Helen invited me to stay the night, and I was grateful to get the chance to know her and her husband better, and meet Anneleise.
Anneleise was recently hired to promote the new currency in the Wairarapa district. Best wishes, Anneleise!!I chose to spend the weekend at a nearby campground, where I had a lovely cabin to myself, amid the dogwood blooms.
The air was filled with birdsong, 
and the campground had many lovely trees
and shrubs in bloom. 
I took a wet walk through nearby reserve - all to myself, with beautiful huge kauri trees and ancient podocarp forest. Surrounded by clearcut farmland in all directions, it was a jewel of native plants.
