We’ve been here in Christchurch (”Chch”) almost a week, and we’ve seen lots that both reminds us of the United States and also that reminds us we’re “not in Kansas” anymore.

Some observations:

1. New Zealanders drive on the left side of the road

It hasn’t been too much of a challenge re-training our brains to look right and then left before crossing the street; however, we have to be conscious and cautious at all times, lest we get up-close-and-personal with one of the many buses zipping around here.  So walking around isn’t too hard - check back with me when I start driving!

2. Lots of backpackers

I’ve definitely seen a lot more backpackers here than ever in the U.S. - people of all ages!  There are lots of hostels and cheap rooms for rent available.  I think, along with the ability to trust strangers and the general friendliness of New Zealanders, this is a popular stop of people from all nationalities.  Which brings me to my third observation…

3. Many different nationalities reside and travel here

Christchurch is a small city by U.S. standards (about 330K people), but there is so much diversity here!  I’ve seen many nationalities - from Australian to Greek to Swedish.  I’ve even run into a group of students from Virginia Tech. (I asked how many of them were there, and one girl told me: “There is a shit-tonne of us here - like 40″; Stay classy, U.S.A!  BTW, I don’t think a “shit-tonne” is an actual form of measurement, even here).   At any rate, the variety of food available because of all of the different people is astounding for such a small area (as a comparison, you’d see the same number of different restaurants somewhere like New York or Los Angeles).  Since we’ve been here, we’ve patronized Greek, Turkish, New Zealand, Chinese, Indian, and Japanese restaurants.  Look for more information about restaurants in a later post!

4. The weather is “temperamental”

The weather here has totally thrown me for a loop.   One day it’s 85 degrees (29C) and sunny, the next it is 52 (11C) with raisin-sized hail literally covering the ground and torrential downpours that flood the streets.  Since we’re only six miles (9km) from the coast, it tends to be quite breezy with often strong gusts.  How fast the wind is blowing typically determines if you need a jacket.  It can be an ideallic 75 degrees (24C), sunny - and you might need a jacket - or you just might not (seriously, just bring a jacket already!).  At the same time, New Zealand is close to the equator, so the sun is very intense (sunburn alert!).  In our first week, we’ve ventured out in clothes ranging from fleeces/jeans/sneakers to tank tops/shorts/sandals.  The bottom line is that the daily high temperature is deceiving, and I can’t base what to wear day-to-day based solely on temperature.

I’ve also noticed there are people (I’ve seen at least 15 so far) who don’t wear shoes.  I find this bizarre since the city isn’t like, perfectly clean or anything, and there’s quite a bit of broken glass in places.  On the streets, in the stores, in the restaurants - no shoes.  So, this morning, I asked the barrista who made my mocha, a native New Zealander, if these people were part of a particular group whose identity includes going barefoot, (foot-nudists, perhaps?).  He said, “No, I just don’t think they like to wear shoes”.  Fair enough.