N Zed #1

Hey Guys!
I know you have all been waiting with baited breath to hear what I've been up to in New Zealand... Not really I know but I like to think so :) So I arrived some days ago to a rainy Christchurch.
Christchurch is a city of about 350,000 people and I stayed in a women-only hostel there. I explored the city there for 2 days but it was fairly small and only really needed one. I checked out the cathedral that was in the middle of town and built in the mid 1800s which was pretty rad. Also checked out some of the art galleries, which were free, and the botanical gardens and such. I was actually really surprised by the huge British influence that has hold there. Oh and they drive on the left side of the street too which has taken some getting used to. I still have to remind myself to walk on the left side of the sidewalk from time to time. From there I took the naked bus, that's right that's the name, down to Queenstown which took about 8 hours by bus. The scenery was gorgeous though and reminded me of why I'm here. I'll get pics up soon I just have to use a different computer for the internet here and internet is pretty expensive.
On the bus we stopped at a few pretty sweet landmarks like Lake Tekapo which was breathtaking and Wanaka was on the way as well. Started to see the mountains and all of the new snow that has just arrived! Met a couple of girls on the bus so that was cool and ended up in a hostel near the lake in Queenstown after dusk.
Queenstown is pretty sweet. It's a city of about 15,000 people that is set up right on the lake which was beautiful as well of course. I ended up in a room with 5 other girls and spent a day and two nights with them. Most people I have met have been from the UK, Germany, or Australia. Not too many Americans backpack around as I expected. The girls were pretty cool and were off finding jobs and a place to live during the day so I explored a little on my own. Walked around the lake a bit and saw the Remarkables, which is a huge rocky mountain range like the Tetons, that raises straight out of the lake. It was so funny to me that something so far away and so foreign can seem so familiar. The town is bustling with young backpackers looking for a thrill. Queenstown was the site of the very first bungee jump ever and people go there for an adrenaline rush basically. You can go up the Gondola and do some luge type stuff, bungee jump, skydive, jet boat, pretty much anything that will scare the pants off of you. I think I'll come back once I've made some friends in Wanaka to do all of that. But left for Wanaka this morning. Arrived around 11 and checked into the Purple Cow hostel which just has a park and skate park between itself and the lake.
You wouldn't believe how amazing this place is. A lot like Tahoe with the small town and the main strip right across from the lake. Huge mountains that rise out of the lake across the lake which I could just stare at for hours. Set up a banking account here and next couple of steps are getting a phone, a job, and a place to live. Looks like I've come about the right time for a job, I hope. They said they will probably start hiring in the next couple of weeks for the winter season so cross your fingers for me!
Mostly I've been just hanging out with God. Spending a couple hours in the Word every day and praying a lot. I've put this trip in his hands and know that if I'm supposed to get a job and a place to live it'll all happen in his time and not mine. It's been so cool though learning about him and me and our relationship just growing and blossoming. Looking around it's easy to see that He just had a blast making New Zealand because I just look around me and marvel everywhere I look. Hope everyone is well. Miss you guys! And will try to keep you guys updated as life continues in NZed!
Love love love,
Kaits