Lessons in Traditional Maori Wood Carving

While Colin and I were helping for a week at a hostel in Franz Josef Glacier, we got to take part in a really neat experience. One of the people that worked with us at the hostel was a man named Joe. Joe is friendly, easy to talk with, open about his life; he is Maori and a master wood carver.

While we worked with him we told us many things about his culture and his work. We learned so much about New Zealand's history and the Maori beliefs and traditions. 

Joe, or Hohepa (the name his people gave him) also works as the wood carver at the local gallery in town. He teaches wood carving classes a couple of nights a week, so we jumped at the chance to learn.

First, we were shown many designs and carvings that Joe had done. We were able to then design our own picture. We drew what we wanted on a flat board made of compressed wood. This wood is the easiest wood to carve.

We used a v-shaped chisel and a wooded paddle. The challenges were getting the cut deep, keeping the line straight and consistent, and the constant bending over to be at the correct angle. It was more difficult then I thought it would be, and my arms were sore the next couple of days.

Thoughtout the evening, Joe continued to teach us about his culture. The picture below is the beginnings of a small model of a waka. The waka is the canoe-like boat that the Maori use. Every single detail on the carving represent something: prayer for safety, generations of ancestors, the faces of their gods. 

Joe's work, not ours. :)

It was a fun and educational evening. It was our last night at Franz Josef Glacier and it was the perfect way to end our time.

Thanks, Hohepa!

A Case of Beer for a Helicopter Ride

Today, Colin and I had the amazing opportunity to trade a case of beer for a helicopter ride.

We have been staying at The Rainforest Retreat hostel and guesthouse at Franz Josef Glacier. We have been doing a number of jobs here in exchange for accommodation...but that's another story.

One of the major activities in the area is touring one of the two glaciers (Fox Glacier or Franz Josef glacier). The catch is that in order to actually get to the glacier you need to fly in....at anywhere from $200 - $300 per person. 

There's no way that we would be paying anything like that, so it wasn't really a consideration for us. That is until we heard a rumor about one of the helicopter companies that would trade an empty seat in one of their pre scheduled flights for a case of beer. We went to the place during our lunch break today to see if this was true, and next thing we knew we were on a helicopter, taking off for Franz Josef Glacier.

It was the first helicopter ride either Colin or I have ever experienced. So. Much. Fun!  We got to the glacier and had a few minutes to look around and take some pictures. 

If you have every seen the The Two Towers (the 2nd movie of The Lord of the Rings), then you have seen these mountains before. The scene of the lighting of the citadels was filmed here. 

We got back to the base, headed across the street to pick up and deliver a couple cases of beer, and headed back to work. Not a bad lunch break, if you ask me. 

E-I-E-I-O! New Zealand farming!

Well, folks, we've gone and done it. We made it the country that has sat at the top of our "countries to see" bucket list since we had dreamed of traveling together. And I tell ya what: New Zealand does not disappoint.

After staying with some friends of a friend in Christchurch for a few days, Colin and I ventured an hour south along the west coast (of the South Island) to a farm that we had connected with through helpx.net.

It was quite a fun drive, seeing snow capped mountains on our right and knowing that the Pacific Ocean was just a few miles to the left. The road was surrounded by farms. We saw different kinds of grains, kale, cows, and hundreds and hundreds of sheep. On the small country road that we turned onto to lead us to the farm, we literally drove through two different herds of cattle. They were being moved from one paddock to another. 

We made it to the farm and met Jane. She was our first help exchange host in New Zealand, and we are so happy it was her. Jane is energetic, productive, warm and kind. She has two children 13 and 16, and is also starting a new business. Jane's time is in hot demand, yet she always had a smile and time to chat.

We spent one week with Jane and her family. It was a wonderful time. We helped around the farm and house each morning and in exchange we were given a place to stay and 3 meals a days. Not bad. The food was wonderful. Jane is a great cook and all the meat she served came directly from the farm. 

They primarily raise sheep for wool. Unfortunately, we just missed shearing time, but we were shown the wool shed and learned how the process works. They also have about a dozen cattle and the obligatory work dogs and farm cat. :)

It was a lot of fun for Colin and I to experience life on the farm. We did all sorts of jobs: chain sawing, clearing brush and tree damage from a big storm, stacking firewood, assisting in moving the sheep and cattle, cooking, cleaning, gardening, etc.

And there was plenty of time to relax. The house is heated by a big wood burning stove in the living room, so that is where you could have found us when we weren't exploring the area or working. In our time off we also went to Jane's children's sporting events: a netball game and a rugby game. It was the first of both that I had ever seen. I'm pretty sure I grimaced my way through the whole rugby game. Not used to seeing bodies collide and tackle that hard without American football gear on! We also got to be apart of the monthly wool shed party. Once a month, friends and family from the local farming community in the area get together for a BBQ at the wool shed to catch up and stay connected. We were warmly welcomed by all.

New Zealand has been a great experience so far, and spending time on Jane's farm was a big gift for Colin and me. Being adopted into a family and community for a week is the perfect way to start a new adventure in a new place! Thanks, Jane!