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.

Life in Devonport

Most of December I was so fortunate to live in the caravan of my friend Kathy Light. The family recently moved to a lovely home on the waterfront in Devonport. This was perfect for me, as I could easily catch a ferry to get into the city whenever I needed. Bikes go free, and they help me load and unload my trailer when I bring it with me. I sleep in the caravan on the property, and help out around the house while doing volunteer work for my favorite charities. There is a huge 'rock' in the back of the property, and here are a couple of photos of it:













This is a white wisteria blooming on a neighbours house










The ferry runs every half hour during the day. One day I took it into central Auckland, and saw this gentleman busking as a statue.







He moves and sings if you put money in his case. I contributed, and asked if I could take a photo. What a creative way for a disabled person to make use of the attention a prosthetic limb brings!








There are some lovely flowers in the gardens in Devonport. These are native to South Africa, called Pincussion leucospermum.

































While staying in Devonport, I was introduced to Pastor Tom Chapman. I wanted to meet him because he does missionary work in India. He is quite a character, and absolutely fearless. He does his work in the parts of India where they kill Christian missionaries! He has a small congregation, of mostly Korean immigrants, and has wanted a web site for several years. So we sat down one day at the cybercafe in the ferry terminal and I created his website for him on www.freewebs.com You can see it, and read Pastor Tom's powerful testimony, at www.goodnewsofhope.webs.com I really like this site. You can create good looking websites for free, without knowing any html language. And it has features you would not expect on a free web site, like the ability to sell things using PayPal. I will continue to create websites for the small charities and foundations I work with, who cannot afford to pay for them. One of the beauties of Freewebs is that people can easily learn to update their own websites, which is so important if there is news that needs to get out quickly. It may even be a way for the disabled folks in Kashmir to make a living - by creating and updating web sites for local businesses and organisations. We'll see when I go there later this year.



Here are some of the views from Devonport, looking over to the suburb of Mission Bay. Sailboat races are held 2-3 times a week, and are fun to watch.

Tahiti Layover

On the way back from the states, I was fortunate to have a long layover in Tahiti, during the day. So I took full advantage of it. Stashed my suitcase in a storage locker, and walked the 3 miles to Papeete. I could have taken a bus, but I needed to stretch my legs after the long flight from Los Angeles.

Here is a tree in full bloom along my walk. A lady was selling watermelon slices under the tree, and I enjoyed one.









Once in town, I went to the central park, sat and enjoyed the warmth, humidity, color, and the people. It was such a difference from the cold weather I had just come from. And as I sat there, I thought of all the people in this country who will never see snow or walk on a frozen lake. I am so blessed.

Before leaving (by bus this time) for the airport, I stopped for a coffee and croissant, and practiced my french. I was delighted to be understood by the waitress.

Here are a couple of mosaics from the airport. Beautiful!

Thanksgiving 08

I got an e-mail from one of my sisters in early November that said my Dad really wanted me home for Thanksgiving. So I called him and he insisted on paying my way so the family could all be together again for the holiday. Thanks, Dad! It was a short and very valuable trip.











We all got together at my sister Pat's lovely home in Lake City, Minnesota.
While there, we took Sharon's girls to a huge playground recently built alongside the Mississippi River near Red Wing. No snow (yet!)











Then I spent a few days with Dad in Algona, Iowa, seeing my friends there too.

This photo is of my friend Lori who owns a framing shop/art gallery/coffee shop in town. If you can't read the sign, it says "Unattended children will be given an expresso and a weekend with my brother Larry". Her brother Larry owns a sports bar/restaurant just on the outskirts of town.

Here are a couple of photos of Minnesotans on White Bear Lake, as I was heading for the airport to come back to summer in New Zealand.

Running on Used Cooking Oil in Bay of Islands

When I was up in Kerikeri, I learned that there is an active Transition Town movement in the area. And I learned that Goeff Waterhouse in nearby Opua was involved in local currencies - where communities create their own currency as a replacement for the currencies owned by the central banks. I was able to meet Goeff, and stay the night with the family. Another great learning experience. Not only is Goeff interested in local currency, he also runs his vehicles on used cooking oil, and I was able to go with him to the local fish and chips shop to pick up oil, and saw his setup in his garage. I filmed him as well, but I had problems with the memory disk and ran out of battery power. Sorry, Goeff! I really wanted to create a small movie of how he does it for his website. His is the only company in New Zealand that he is aware of which runs 100% waste cooking oil for all his vehicles. Maybe I will yet.

Goeff is also growing Jatropha l trees, to see how they do in New Zealand. The trees grow fast, and the seeds (inedible) produce a very high quality oil. In fact, Air New Zealand recently ran a test flight running a 50/50 mix of jet fuel and jatropha oil. The test made the news in the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/31/business/31air.html Air New Zealand's goal is to be the "greenest" airline out there. Wow! I am so happy. I wrote them a letter expressing my support and gratitude for what they are doing. And I will fly Air New Zealand to return to the US in future.