UPDATE

I have created a new website through Weebly that has more options that we can use. Pleas use this link to get to it, save the website and keeping looking for updates. Currently we are on a road trip and do not have any time to write a new post. I will be writing about our amazing adventure once we are done.
http://terrandsarah.weebly.com/

Jingle Bells...Jail Cell Smells....

 Everyone at Jailhouse Accommodation would like to wish you a wee very MeRRy ChRiStMaS.

 

We had plenty of good laughs during this photo shoot. In the top photos from right to left are Melissa from Germany, the studly warden, darling Terra, that wee gem Sarah, Pauline aka "Pudding" from France, and Karen from Belgium. Since we are all far from home we have a few events planned. Tomorrow Sarah and I will be having a Christmas dinner with Papa John, Ichu, Ginnie and friends. Our friends here at the hostel will be having an international potluck. For Christmas day the owners of the hostel graciously gave us $100 for food. Since it is summer here we will be having a "Barbie" (BBQ).  

We have been staying busy the past two weeks. Besides working in jail we have been planning our big two week road trip that starts January 2nd. We are both extremely excited to explore the south island soon...and escape jail.

Check out what else we've been doing.

We watched a cricket game and couldn't figure out what was going on but enjoyed the few exciting times when the pitcher sprinted and threw the ball (upper right photo).

Here are some signs around town.

Camping & Tramping = Camping & Hiking
Mates Rates = Friends Rates
A punnet of blueberries = a pint of blueberries
The guy in the Santa hat is Nick = Don't be a Nickhead = ??
EFTPOS = Credit card reader

"Thanks for never giving up. Canterbury's been through a lot. Let's remember it's often the simple things that bring the most joy."

Photos Terra Hope took of the lovely trees in South Hagley Park.

These are photos from when we visited the International Antarctic Center. If you visit New Zealand you have to visit this place, it's amazing! We learned about and observed rehabilitated Blue Penguins, experienced an Antarctic storm (two photos on the right of Terra- bottom right is an ice slide!), a 4D and HD movie, an epic Hagglund ride (vehicles driven in the Antarctic- two bottom photos) and much more.  

It was also Papa John's birthday so Terra took him out for breakfast. HaPPy BiRtHdAy PaPa!

We don't know who Si and Gary are but WE think you're awesome as well. All Right?

Say What?

White bread, bacon and mayo....hmmm

That's right, you don't want to look like this guy

Are you thinking what I'm thinking?



A flat white is a...LaTTe!

 



The land of lamb

Riding By Faith Through New Zealand

Watch out New Zealand, we've got wheels!

 

Steve was very helpful

It didn't take long for our kiwi green 1990 Nissan Sentra to find us. Across the street from Jailhouse Accommodations we were walking to the grocery store and we both did a double take. The price written on her dirty glass read $1650. We debated the pros and cons to a small car vs. a larger vehicle we could sleep in. Obviously we went for the small car, but why? One word, GAS. This little manual car can get us far on a full tank of gas compared to a gas guzzler. Sure, we have to rough it outdoors in a tent but we love that sort of adventure and if it's raining kiwis and penguins out, we will get a room somewhere.

 

Papa John was helpful when it came to checking out the details of the car and taking it on a test drive. We made a list of all the things needed done to it. Needs new mirror, fix brake light, steers slightly to the left....
 

Luckily the car was being sold by Phil the mechanic, him and his delightful wife own Maryland Motors. We agreed that if he fixed all of the issues and included a six month registration we would pay the asked price as he wasn't willing to negotiate it. At least we could get everything fixed and the registration for a longer term as I've been told they can be pricey. All vehicles in New Zealand go through a process called a Warranty of Fitness so the vehicle is safe on the road for the driver, others and the environment.

 

Once we got our little kiwi (I named it Kiwi because of the light green color like the inside of a kiwi fruit) we didn't drive it for a while. This was an entirely new endeavor for both of us, driving on the left side of the road with a manual on the left side. We finally buckled down one day, Sarah drove our friend Liz and I to the grocery store and I drove back. We didn't go very far but it was pretty fun! Car insurance is surprisingly cheap here, we got full coverage for an entire year and it cost around $250nzd!!

  

 

 

We both had this Monday off so we decided to get the heck out of Christchurch and go exploring.

Only 82 kilometers away (51 miles) from the sprawling city of Christchurch lies the calm seaside town of Akaroa (in Maori this means 'long harbor'). New Zealand doesn't have big highways like in the USA, they have motor ways with top speeds of 100 km (60mph). We've been told by several people to obey the speed signs or else we could get a hefty fine. During the entire trip I did just that while car after car tailgated me and impatiently zipped around at the most, I thought, dangerous times. No wonder speeding tickets are expensive, everyone drives insane here (reminds me of California drivers) and we never saw a cop car.
 

Sarah getting her make up done

The ride to Akaroa is CURVY. There are twists and bends almost the entire way. We arrived around noon with sunny skies and a cool breeze welcoming us. We had a sensational lunch. I ordered a seafood chowder accompanied with a refreshingly smooth local Pinot Gris (Meniscus 2009). Sarah dined on local Blue Cod fish and chips and a fruity Pinot Rose (Wild Earth 2012). Quaint French styled houses sat nearby surrounded by lush green hilly pastures lined with sheep. Where we sat overlooked the harbor, several boats rocked gently as geese swam by in a line.
 

Wandering the main street, Rue Lavaud, we found several interesting stores housing typical tourist souvenirs. I was impressed to find that most of these trinkets seem to be of good quality. Not the typical China made products found in the rest of the world. I love this about New Zealand. I am an observant shopper, I look at where the products made and if it is food, what the ingredients are. Almost every product is made locally.
 

Enjoying the view

After soaking up the sunshine we decided to head back a different way. There is a road called Tourist Drive that wiggles a long an ancient crater. Several people had warned me about the road and how beautiful the view was, but don't look at it! Sarah did but I tried to keep my wandering eyes locked on the narrow and curvy road ahead. The only thing separating us from the road and the bottom were a few hairy sheep and their young frolicking about. We did stop a few times, what a breath taking view! Notice our new kiwi bird friend for our kiwi car. Anyone have a good name for him?

 

Akaroa!




This is what happens when Terra drives




I see you everywhere Melissa Faith

 Wine & Food Festival

 



 Surprisingly this is the third year the Wine and Food Festival has blessed Christchurch's North Hagley Park with a plethora of local and world-renowned wine, food and entertainment. They selected 45 top wineries to showcase, 11 restaurants and 40 food exhibitors.

 



Chef Gary Miller

After strenuous work (busy season) at Jailhouse Accommodation, Sarah and I walked to the event. We were giddy because we could wear our dresses in the eighty degree sunshine, shaded by Hagley Park's ancient trees. Upon arrival we shared a seafood chowder and a glass of white wine. With limited seating we find a nice spot to enjoy our delights amongst a group of friendly kiwi's. Later we cruised the vendors and of course found more food and wine to consume. A few times we sat on the grass and listened to a series of bands play on stage. Later we watched a food demonstration by a Kiwi Chef, Gary Miller. His food demo was titled, "Respect Your Greens." He tossed an Asian salad together and roasted vegetables topped with beef, both that could accompany any barbie (barbeque). Feeling rather tired, our finale was spent swaying to the rhythm of a reggae band called The Black Seeds. Apparently Rolling Stone described them as "The best reggae band in the world right now."

Put the Courgette, Capsaicin and Aubergine In the Trundler!

Terra returning the trundler

Sarah:
Gidday Mate! So far life in New Zealand has been going really well for Terra and I. We have been in the hostel for just over a week and are starting to adjust to life here. Even though there are many similarities between here and the states there are some things including language that are very different.

I have to say being at the front desk gives me a chance to learn multiple new words a day. So far some of my favorites include-

Rubbish- Trash. "Do you have a rubbish bin?"
Strumpet- Referring to a loose women/girl
Courgette- Zucchini
Aubergine- Eggplant
Capsaicin- Bell Peppers
#- Hash sign not pound.  That one was interesting for me since I answer phones.  You know the pound sign on the phone? The number key. Silly Americans.
Flat White- Latte without foam
Long Black- Americano



Loads of rubbish



Dinner and a movie with Liz and Ginnie

Liz is one of our friends from England and her favorite word is WANKER, referring to a total jerk. I guess even the Brits have old habits that die hard.
Liz also informs me that crossing guards are referred to as LOLLY POP MEN. She tells me this is because they hold the poles and are mostly in schools.

My favorite one so far though is what they call the shopping carts. TRUNDLERS. I can't truly express the hilarity when Terra and I saw this. Needless to say we took a picture or two and laughed like crazy. I know on the south they use the term "buggies", but this was a whole new level. The trundlers move like a dream, all nice and smooth. Better then anything I ever pushed in the states with their wobbly, half fallen off wheels and the tendency to force you in one direction.



Terra's sister Ginnie

Terra Hope:
Liz and I were making beds and as she tucked in the bed sheet opposite of me I heard her exclaim she smelled weed in a room one time and it was horrible. I replied, "oh really? I like the smell of weed." She looked at me like I was insane and said, "WEE!? You like the smell of wee??" We both started laughing hysterically when we both realized our misunderstanding. Yes Liz, I love the smell of a good wee in the bedroom. :-)

Both Sarah and I have had difficulty with other accents as well. Kristof from Germany told me he was interested in sports but for the life of me I didn't have a clue what he was trying to say. He repeated the word over and over again looking at me like I should know the word until it finally clicked somewhere in my brain. Sarah had a similar incident with folks from Ireland. She says the Irish have the thickets accents.
Where are you from?
rrlllnnd
Whaaat?
rrllndd
Where? Huh?
RRLLLNDD!!!!
OOOOOOOHH..... Ireland! Haha

Sarah: A few days ago we celebrated Terra's 29th birthday with a big American Thanksgiving dinner. Even though I am partial to my own moms cooking (she knows what I like). This was a great treat and a great day thanks to Terra's family.

Happy Birthday Terra!!! And as the locals say "cheers mate"!



Terra's cute little pumpkin pie



Terra with sister Ginnie and step-mum Ichu



Sisters in jail

Life In a New Zealand Jail

Terra Hope

We flew 7,437 miles to live and work in a jail, in Christchurch, New Zealand. The name of the facility is Jailhouse Accommodation. Completely jet lagged and exhausted from our travels, on arrival day we were informed our duties began the next day. Hurray!

After our interrogation the wardens decided that with Sarah's reception experience she would check in the inmates while I was left to the dirty work, cleaning beds. Luckily, we only work three to four hours daily in exchange for accommodations. Currently I reside in the workers quarters which consist of four two-person bunk beds and a non-working fireplace. Others we work alongside with are, three from England, one from Taiwan and a New Yorker. Sarah unfortunately has had to sleep in a bunk bed amongst nine other inmates that constantly escape from jail.

Sarah hard at work

Today while working she exclaimed, "we are completely booked!."  Everyone wants to be an inmate here. The historical building constructed out of 60 cm thick concrete was built in 1874 and survived every earthquake. The rooms are the original jail cells, the bed covers are striped as are many other decorations. The rooms are sound proof but an occasional sneeze in the main room can be heard at the other end. There are two movie lounges, a pool table and darts room, and a wonderfully well organized and supplied kitchen. For inmates that get out of hand, be warned, the wardens can lock them away in the insane asylum room.

 

 



We committed a month to staying here and so we plan to complete this by December. We will escape jail and explore the south island. Currently we are looking for a small car to purchase. Just today Papa, Ginnie and I looked at a tiny green Nissan, I think a 1990 and a manual. A MANUAL ON THE LEFT HAND DRIVER'S SIDE. Papa said the engine looks good and the registry is up to date and so now Sarah and I have to consider the manual aspect of it. We both can drive a stick no problem but we are both right handed. It's interesting enough driving on the LEFT side of the road! I think we should go for it, it's a great brain work out too. We will let you know what happens.

Flying to NZ

Are we there yet!?!? Tired and in need of a shower....

Sarah Alexander

We made it!!! Even after being here a few days Terra and I are truly taken with New Zealand. Sometimes when I lay in bed at night I just can't believe it.  I mean really who does this? Who decides one day to just take a huge leap in your life and say " I think I'd like to live a foreign  country and explore for a whole year? I guess the answer to that is we do.

Needless to say the day of the flight and the flight it self was forever long. We woke up early to check out of the hostel at 10am. We spend the last day in Hawaii getting last minute things take care of.

Once we dropped off the car and went to check in we had a few surprises. Turns out Air New Zealand has a weight limit on your carry on items. Terra being a smart and light packer was able to move some things around. I on the other hand started to loose it a little and ended up having to toss some things away. Oh well first world problems they say. Luckily the lady checking me in was really nice and let me slide a little.

Once we finally got onto the plan we were greeted with some of the friendliest flight attendants we have ever met. We even had nice thick blankets with headphones for the flight. Plus the seats went back farther then most airlines I have been on in the stares. One of the real perks though was the food. Terra was able to get an amazing vegetarian meal while I had some chicken pasta. Plus they gave each of us free wine with our dinners.

After dinner we were able to relax in our seats watch the free movies and even sleep a little. We woke up in tome for breakfast and a successful landing on Auckland. Once arrived on Auckland I Skype'd with mom to let her know we made it and were alive. From there it was a short hop to Christchurch to meet Terra's family before going to the hostel. Roughly twelve hours later we are now a day ahead than the USA.

I have to say though the best part about the flight was the in flight safety video with Betty White. I mean come on who doesn't love Betty White? Air New Zealand and Betty White.

So be sure to click on the link above. Much love from NZ!

The amazing view flying into Christchurch