Epilogue

It's been a month since I left New Zealand and returned to my home in Idaho. Though we've had considerable rainfall the past couple of weeks, the day we landed in Spokane was absolutely stunning. Interestingly, the rainy day before I left Rotorua, the radio played a Beatles' favorite "I'll Follow the Sun." This was perfect because moving back and forth between hemispheres has now positioned us to enjoy our third summer in a row.

This wrap-up post is really more for me than for anyone else. I've told countless people that I'm far better at retaining water than retaining information, so I'm using this day and this space to note some random thoughts I don't want to forget. Clearly, living in New Zealand for six months was an extraordinary opportunity, and I am hard-pressed to imagine a better experience.

Things I will miss:
• The amazingly diversified beauty of this 2-island country. Lush forests, majestic mountains, unusual and varied flora, pristine lakes, scenic waterfalls, massive glaciers, and dramatic coastlines.

• Charming Kiwi spirt. No worries! Not a problem! And the amazing trust that exists between people - like my telephone order with a sole proprietor in Keri Keri. I ordered two bottles of wine to be delivered to our home in Rotorua. The man couldn't accept credit cards, so he gave me his bank account number and asked me to simply deposit the amount I owed him into his account.

• Mud Pools. In fact, I fell in love with all things geothermal, and we lived in the heart of it.

• New Zealand wines. Delicious, inexpensive and, best of all, screwtop caps.

• Coast FM 96.7. Charming radio hosts and a surprisingly good line-up of retro music (Lulu, Perry Como, Connie Francis, Dusty Springfield, Tom Jones, and Doris Day - to name a few).

• Great coffee. Always tough to choose between ordering a Long Black and a Trim Flat White.

• Never-ending list of things to do and places to explore.

• Roundabouts. After 3 weeks of terror, I got reasonably used to driving on the left side of the road and usually remembered to get into the car on the driver's side. And my initial fear of roundabouts was quickly replaced with great respect for the way roundabouts keep traffic moving.

• Rotorua Recycling Center. This efficient operation took just about everything and even separated plastic into 8 different kinds. Shame on us - we can all do better at recycling and reducing waste.

• Countless sheep and cows scattered on rolling hills (and occasionally walking across the road in front of our car).

• Family First! And if your family is in town, bring them along.

• Good on you! Well done, you! Lovely! Brilliant!

• Russell - our neighborhood butcher.

• Pilates - especially on days when Barry was the instructor.

• New Zealand's no tipping policy. It was just easier - plus it's nice to think that employers compensate their employees fairly.

• Rotorua's Saturday Market.

• Friday walks in the Redwood Forest with my friends.

• My friends.


Things That I Learned:
• Living minimally can be very freeing! And 2 suitcases of clothes is plenty for 6 months. Other than my passport, the most important items I packed were my laptop, digital camera, and my iPod. I learned that I can make an Estee Lauder 2-week mascara tester last for 4 months.

• Skype is one of the best services known to man.

• The best use of Tom's hospital stipend: helping our kids make visits to us in New Zealand.

• You can pull the mask off that old Lone Ranger, but you don't mess around with Tea Time.

• We could have not have made this trip without the help of great friends - the Leichners, the Wallaces, the Schmitts, the Whites, the Wilsons, and the Tarnaskys. They managed our mail, cat, plants, house, car, and storage needs. We are grateful beyond words for family and friends who took an interest in our adventures.

Returning to Idaho, I've traded Kiwis for Bald Eagles, the smell of sulphur for the scent of pine trees, and gazing at the Southern Cross for long looks at the Big Dipper. The New Zealand flag now shares space on our deck with Old Glory. It's good to be home.