All Blacks!

Hello,

Sorry, it has been so long since my last post, but we have had very limited Internet. I think I last posted right before I was going off to the All Blacks (AB) game. What can I say, it was a great New Zealand experience. If you are not an AB fan then you are not a New Zealander.

Ken and I put on our many layers of clothes before we headed off. It was about 40 degrees with wind gusts of about 40 mph. On top of all of the it was raining. As some crazy people would say, it was great rugby weather. We walked to the stadium which was about 2.5 miles away. Along the way we stopped at one of the pubs to grab some pints of beer (adding to our tally). The pub was completely packed with AB fans along with some French fans. We got to the match about 90 minutes before it started.

Once we arrived at the stadium we took some pictures by the field and got some food and drinks. The coolest part about going to sporting events in New Zealand is that they sell 4 packs of beer. So when you go buy yourself a bottle of beer you have the option of buying four of them at once with a handy carrying case. So, of course we had to buy a 4 pack.

The opening ceremonies started with some song and dance, and the national anthems. During the French national anthem someone let a white rooster on the field that was painted as the French flag. Everyone got a kick out of that. The french fans are a pretty wild bunch.

The weather didn't improve much during the match. Just imagine being in a hurricane while watching a live football game, with a windchill in the 30's. IT WAS AWESOME.

The best news was the the AB's won the match. The final score was 14-10. Sorry I cant provide more details but I am using a public computer, and others are waiting. But I will let you know that while I am writing this, the hotel I am staying in is playing Christmas music. Which is very weird for this time of year, but if you were to walk outside you would think it is Christmas time.

Please look for new posts over the next few days. I still need to let you know about my Sunday roast with a New Zealand family, and my Deadliest Catch Ferry ride across the Cook Straight. I am currently in Christchurch and we are driving to Queenstown tomorrow. That's all for now. Until next time may your cookie jar remain full.

BC