The Meeker - New Zealand Student Exchange Program
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      • 20130926a Welcome Dinner
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      • 20131001a Greetings from Seattle
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      • 20131005a - More from BPE and the zoo
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      • 20131008f harvest party day
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        • 20140210b SEA to LAX
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American Visit 2014 - Haiku



Chaperone Steve wrote haiku
as we traveled to capture,
in another way, moments of the trip.

Travel Haiku - Day 23
I wish I could sleep
It is just one of those nights
Tossing and turning

Marty day is here
The birthday decrees begin
With Forrest Gump show

Can't believe I saw
A polar bear here in Bluff
It does not make sense

To the town of Bluff
Where we visit a marae
Haere mai, welcome!

The Maori marae
Communal gathering space 
Sacred meeting place

Touching of noses
Hongi, a Maori greeting
Sharing breath of life

Welcoming to all
Marae is about people
Very inclusive

Visit Bluff marae
The Te Rau Aroha
One hundred times love

Wall art illustrates
The three baskets of knowledge
Past, present, future

A formal visit
Welcomed to the family
Morning tea follows

At the velodrome
The junior racers do ride
The clock is broken

Presents are opened
Marty day festivities
A new barbecue

My last night here ends
With dinner and great new friends
And farewell haiku

A special haiku
Written as a thanks to you
Bittersweet to leave


Travel Haiku - Day 22
Packing my luggage 
Somewhat reluctant to leave
For the long trip home

I have mixed feelings
More New Zealand adventure
And longing for home

Today is different
Our primary school visits
Next year's visitors?

Twenty six kilos!
Kids packing their luggage
Way too much chocolate!

A great group of kids
So proud of ambassadors
Excellent people

Macarewa school
Cold, mud, and rain don't bother
The kids wear no shoes

At Anderson Park
A flock of mallards were fed
Kaeli smiles a lot

Still finding new things
Ordered a cheese roll today
It was delicious

Number one or two
Determines what you will do
A half flush or whole

A farewell dinner
Far too much thanks to express
Amazing people

Blending of cultures
Appears natural, seamless
Maori, pakeha

An impromptu speech
Inadequate expression
Gratitude I feel

Written on the road
Ambassadors do perform
Their New Zealand song

I have been quite spoiled
My hosts were most generous
Can I stay longer?

Travel Haiku - Day 21
A very short flight
Our planes to Stewart Island
Twenty minutes long

Fishing for blue cod
On board the boat Southern Isle
Madeline caught one!

Fishing for blue cod
It seemed like such a short time
Wanted to do more

On Ulva Island
There are many kinds of birds
We saw some weka

We toured on a bus
Around the island we went
Windy, wet weather

Back on board the plane
To Invercargill we go
Our day nearly done

Stewart island is
According to the legends
Maui's anchor stone

Travel Haiku - Day 20
Sipping warm coffee
By the fireside this morning
No bike ride today

Writing thank you notes
Much gratitude to express
Kids and hosts - the best!

Rain, rain go away!
Want to enjoy another
Sunny NZ Day

It had to start soon
I began to pack today
I've got too much stuff!

While riding my bike
I did see a wallaby
In Queens Park no less

Less than a week left
Am going to miss the kids
Great ambassadors

Travel Haiku - Day 19
Quite cold this morning
Just eight degrees Celsius 
Summer in N.Z.

Coffee by the fire
A lazy weekend ahead
All quite relaxing

Tomato sandwich
Fresh for the garden again
It was delicious

Headed for the store
And just kept right on walking
Exploring the park

A walk in the park
And back to the museum 
Aviary too

A now extinct bird
The great moa twelve feet high
Are you kidding me?!?

To New World Market
Bought three kilos of chocolate 
How to get it home?

Dining out tonight
Dinner with the Saunders clan
Lovely company

Travel Haiku - Day 18
T.S.S. Earnslaw 
Launched in nineteen hundred twelve
A coal fired steamer

A morning voyage
On board Lady of the Lake
Cruising at twelve knots

Chicken, lamb, or beef
Colonel's Homestead Restaurant 
A filling buffet

Sheep shearing again
An entertaining display
Love New Zealand wool!

Some horseback riding
Beauty, Cooper, and Millie
Trot along the trail

Some mocktails are served
In sub zero surroundings
Minus Five Ice Bar

Rain slowly subsides
Clouds begin to dissipate
Snow capped mountains show

Depart very soon
After three terrific days
Sad to leave Queenstown

Travel Haiku - Day 17
A morning mistake
His toothbrush out the window
Jason has Tic Tacs

Beautiful sun rise
Pink sky o'er Remarkables
Queenstown down below

The Vudu Cafe
Great breakfast to start our day
Cappuccino, yeah!

A tropical bird?
Remote Antipodes Isle
Parakeets flourish

Kiwi Birdlife Park
Abundant native species
Conservation show

My vision adjusts
Finally see a kiwi
Cute with its long nose!

Despite its long nose
A short beak has the kiwi
Measure from nostrils

Claire lost five dollars
Parakeet snatched from her hand
Then he gave it back 

Scenic mountain town
A relaxing afternoon
More Queenstown shopping

Shotover jet boat
Screaming up and down river
Spinning three-sixties

Jet boat powered by
Merc V-eight Scorpion
Seven hundred horse

Disoriented
Sun crosses the northern sky
All is front to back

Our excitement builds
Lifting straight into the sky
Helicopter ride

The mountain top views
Queenstown and Wakatipu
Beauty far below

A long snaking track
Ripping around the corners
Luging down the hill

Huge enchiladas
Los Sombreros Cantina
Kids in funny hats

Travel Haiku - Day 16
The Amazing Race
Invercargill edition
Fast, furious, fun

Racing through the town
Competitive juices flow
But everyone wins

We're off to Queenstown
A long drive on winding roads
Lake Wakatipu

Lake Wakatipu
Water and sky glacial blue
An idyllic scene

A small gold rush town
Arrowtown reflects it's past
Great gelato too!

From our balcony
The sun lights the mountain range
The Remarkables

Travel Haiku - Day 15
Off to Te Anau
With the James Hargest kids too
Another great day 

Road to Te Anau
Reminds me of Wyoming
Mountains high above

We have morning tea
Aside Lake Manapouri
And view Jackson Peaks

Crossing the blue lake
Aboard the Luminosa
A cool wind blowing

Down into darkness
The Te Anau glow worm caves
Shining like the stars

Lots of scenery
With little activity
A pleasant days drive

Travel Haiku - Day 12
A fun day ahead
It starts with Marty's porridge
Another convert

Fishing the Clutha
The Proud Mary floats downstream
Jeanette is our guide

Sightings and nibbles
We know that they are out there
The elusive trout

Afternoon respite
Some New Zealand style napping
Called stacking some zeds

On the gold trail ride
Jeanette gathered blackberries
Marty finds plums

Almost reeled one in
A fishless day of fishing
But still a great day

Travel Haiku - Day 11
Museum morning
Kids on a scavenger hunt
Find the moa poo!

A race to the top
The steepest road in the world
We climb Baldwin street

Cool and refreshing
Moana pools. Slides there too.
Great fun for the kids

Twisting road leading
Otago peninsula 
A fog shrouded drive

An oversized lunch
Pineapple, bacon and cheese
Gut buster burger

Bumpy Argo ride
Down rutted roads we travel
An eight wheeled delight

Abundant wildlife
Sea lions, Elephant seal
Animals approach

Nesting on the beach
Yellow eyed penguins
Elusive and rare

Back to Dunedin
Vegas goes to Harley shop
Others to the mall

Shopping and dinner
Evening tea in Peggydale
Had way too much food

Weekend camping trip
Caravan on the river
Home away from home

Camp on the Clutha
A secret destination
I will never tell

Campfire is burning
Venus on the horizon
Perfect night ahead

The night sky darkens
Now I see the southern cross
Sleeping under stars

Riverside retreat
The Clutha sings through the night
Nature's lullaby

Travel Haiku - Day 10
Off to Dunedin
Rich with Scottish heritage
Will we see some kilts?

Class work followed him
Vegas completes math homework
While we're on the road

Onward through Clinton
The presidential highway
And off toward Gore

Dreams of chocolate
The Cadbury factory
Buying treats and smiles

Kids mouths watering
Jaffas and Pineapple Lumps
Buying some chocolate

All world heritage
Museum of Otago
Loads of history

Museum opened
Eighteen seventy seven
Wish I had a line...

Native style of dress
Polynesian fashion show
Our evening treat

Dinner? Supper? Tea?
Culinary confusion
Don't know when to eat

Right through the air lock
Butterfly terrarium
Terror on the wing

Locked in for the night
The kids are in for a fright
Walking without light

Travel Haiku - Day 9
Trip has just begun
Elasticity of time
Trip is one third done

Packed into the van 
With our mud covered gum boots
Ready for the farm

Starting our day at
Knight of N.Z. Factory
Fine lamb skin clothing

I ate some Marmite
Of course Jackson made me eat
I don't prefer it

On to Riverton
Ti Hikoi Museum
Maori history

Treasure from the sea
The paua shell factory
Beautiful jewelry

Afternoon tea time
Fish and chips right on the beach
Blue cod is tasty

Low tide explorers
Rolling rocks to find the crabs
Levi is fearless

Herding a stray cow
The kids stepping carefully
Watching out for pies

Milking all the cows
From the udder to our cups
Smell the farm fresh air

Our driver Kirsten
Her smile and laugh infectious
Makes the day brighter

Being towed behind
Motorbike on the meadow
Mr. Wise rolls on by

Dogs flying across
Green meadows under blue skies
Guiding the sheep home

Shearing summer sheep
Wool gathered in cloudlike piles
You'll be cold tonight

Minor poo mishaps
Happened at the farm today
It all washes off

Travel Haiku - Day 8
Enjoyed morning tea
Making lasting connections
We left the kids behind

A bygone era
Bill Richardson's Museum
Vintage trucks and cars

Cabbage Tree Cafe
Had lunch with eighties music
Paul ate whitebait too!

Vegas in P.E.
Burpees, squats, and so much more
He'll sleep well tonight

New Zealand classes
Emma in woodworking shop
See the pride and joy

Oreti bike ride
Cursing wind under my breath
Legs are burning now

Oreti Beach ride
Wind finally at my back
I feel heroic

Cricket match today
Three hundred runs in a game
Is that possible?

Learning a language
Kia Kaha means stand tall
Maori for be strong

Cycling pajamas?
Marty's ready to order
Some late night humor

Travel Haiku - Day 7
James Hargest College
Invercargill sister school
Welcoming us home

James Hargest College
Twenty five years of friendship
Hope for many more

To the velodrome!
Around the ellipse we go
Fixed gear fun (for some!)

Unfamiliar bikes
Pedaling around the track
Wait! There are no brakes

Competition starts
Racing above the blue line
Kelsey almost wins!

The tuatara
It pre-dates the dinosaur
An ancient lizard

The tuatara
Up to five years with no food
Metabolism

Otatara group
Restoring natural lands
Native plants return

Checking those journals
Busy weekend for the kids
Great times had by all!

Travel Haiku - Day 4

We begin our day
By Lord of the Rings touring
Gollum is lurking

Madeline, Anna
Responsible, caring too
Keeping our group safe

Seven years apart
The cicadas go mental
Chirping overwhelms

Many windy days
"Blown away by Wellington?"
Is what locals say

Individuals
So close yet so far apart
Emma and Lauren


Kimmie and Abby
Artists at Weta Workshop
Art coming to life

The Weta Workshop
Making movies magical
Amazing art work

Got halitosis?
Emma always has some gum
Fresh, clean, and minty.

Depart Wellington
Onward to Invercargill
Meeting hosts quite soon

Martin and Jeanette
My hosts are very gracious
They welcome me home

Travel Haiku - Day 3
Starting the new day
Touring Parliament
NZ Government

Vegas asks questions
Government differences
Keen and insightful

Tour of Wellington
Discover Kiwi culture
Traditions abound

Off to museum
A taste of Māori culture
And all New Zealand

Visit Te Papa
A container of treasures
Culturally rich

Speak in metaphors
The richness of languages
So say "Kia Ora"

Oral tradition
Convey deepness of meaning 
Communication

The girls try to get
A reaction from Jackson
Time for a group hug

Spaghetti tonight
Shared with new friends and strangers
We made way too much

Reviewing journals
These kids really are brilliant
Different world views

Travel Haiku - Day 2
We begin day two
With a really lame haiku
Ouch, my neck hurts too! 

The plane dark and cramped
Seats too small but some still sleep
Rumer does not snore

L.A. To Auckland
Ten thousand kilometers
Now we have arrived

Claire in New Zealand
Enthusiasm abounds
Adventure begins

Running through airports
Security, passports too
Now where is mine?

Farther south you go
The nicer the people get
Southward we travel!

Seatoun and worser
Quick wit and gracious humor
Give way sign for yield

A new perspective
Kaeli and the camera
An artist at work

New World Market trip
Confused, Madeline asks us
What are rice bubbles?

Grocery store trip
Cereal with funny names
Enjoy difference

YHA Hostel
Is our home away from home
Humble though it is

A very full day
Our first day in New Zealand
Finally a bed.

Where has Jason gone?
A laundry machine mishap?
Spin cycle gone bad...

Paul is sawing logs
Soft mattress, sleep will come soon
Ear plugs are the best.

Travel Haiku - Day 1
Fourteen kids on board
New Zealand flight departs soon
Excitement rises

A really long flight
Gives one lots of time to write
Haikus through the night

Such terrific kids
Amazing ambassadors
Thanks to you, parents

Always smiling is
Mister Wise our great leader
So glad you are here

Mother to us all
Can enough thanks be given
To leader Daneen?
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