Family Adventure

Overcast most days, sometimes the sun is able to squeeze light through the clouds that act like a strong filter. Rain more often then not, and temperatures that show significant signs that fall is arriving. Awaken by a boney small structure, heavy enough to realize is there but not enough to fell oppressed, I slowly move under my sheets in hopes to find my watch. The noisy high voices of children with much energy reverb through the house. And I awaken like a zombie, sluggish and slow.The time reads 8 am and as everyone throughout the house is getting ready for the day, I arise like aman who lost his job, wondering what my day will consist of and why so early.The children ae chattery and excited as they greet my morning with smiles and giggles, tempting to tickle my feet they continue on in their bliss as they have some down time before school. I have just landed into the movie production " the change up." I went from a house full of young men who tend to sleep until their work shift regardless the time, to hyper-active children with more energy then that of the bunny who markets batteries. My schedule on holiday is being completely adjusted. I look forward to it though, I embrace the kis nature of excitment for the day. A cup of tea with sugar ( a must) and usually a piece of toast, then off to school we go. A stroll down the street to drop my cousins off and my day has begun in Mosgeil, New Zealand.

Meeting new cousins, some only seen in photographs has been very delightful. Timing couldnt be better as I had the opportunity to see a new baby enter the world. My cousin, Ashley just had her second child, felix, on March 5th "sweet as." This part of my trip is all about family. Although, I did have a  young German man stay here at my uncles for the first two days. His name was Janice and he traveled with me to Mosgeil. I met him at a hostel the night before I left toward Dunedin.  Hopefully if it works out we will travel some more together before I leave back to the north island. Anyways, I realized in the life of traveling feeling at home comes rare so when it does happen you are very thankful. Constantly on the move it's rare you'll come to a place where you feel totally comfortable and relaxed. I can say this has happened one other time and it was with the family in Auckland I stayed with. I have to keep my guard up. My safety is very important so approaching new things may not look hesitant on the outside but internally I am asking myself all the appropriate questions. Usually this safety precaution isnt anything extreme because travelers are all in the same boat, vulnerable in the sense of seeking friendhsip , and craving adventure in its randomness. But here it was nice to set my things down without questioning someone's intentions. There is no deposit fee (I'm sure its coming though haha) or nightly fee, no charge for internet, it doesnt cost 8 dollars to do laundry, and no random roommates. Sure this is part of traveling and has to be accepted if you are traveling, but being able to travel in country with family is such an amazing privilage. Slowly slipping into the routine of the family household, life here is clock work, as it should be. Wake up for breakfast, school, extra activities after school, tea, then bed. Just another ordinary day. Sorry If you thought this post would be full of exciting crazy stories. No skydiving, or meeting a guy that took me on a helicopter ride, no cliff jumping, or whale watching. Just waking up and reading, hanging out with cousins and ending the day with a movie accompanied by my Aunt, and an Occasional chest game with my uncle. But the thing I realized as I continue in this part of my adventure is, that this is probably the highlight of my entire trip. My moments of excitment of hiking up a mountain next to a waterfall, or hitch-hiking to a city will eventually fad, and the things I will reminicse on is what I did with my family. For family is a special thing. Whether adopt into one, or simple blood related, maybe perfect in everyway, or so dysfunctional they should make a movie out of it, regardless there is some sort of  support you have in your life, and the way it looks will be different to others.But  I have to believe that everyone is apart of a family. In saying that, I will say this, in all the crazy things Ive seen and experienced watching someone day in and day out raise a family makes me come to my conclusion of this blog; traveling the world is great, but raising a family has to be the best adventure ever...