NZ: A Kinder. Gentler Version of the US
Traveling in NZ is like going back to the 60's. Few people use cell phones, no one hurries, people dress sensibly in styles from the 50's (modestly, with longer skirts) and the radio plays the Beatles and Fleetwood Mac as if they are new groups. Retro!
We had a real shock when we first flew domestically from Auckland to Palmerston North. At the airport, we looked frantically for the usual security machines and finally asked a nice Kiwi passenger. She said "No machines. It isn't necessary here!" Wow! So different than the US.
Kiwis are very proud to be pacifists. All ships carrying nuclear weapons are banned from NZ waters. When in the town of Oamaru on the coast, we saw a large NZ military gun ship off the shore. When Chuck asked "Warship?", a proper Kiwi lady turned and said "No!" It's a "coastal protection vessel." Wow again. Big difference, I guess (even though we could see torpedos).
NZ seems a kinder, gentler version of our country. Although Kiwis look like us (with older clothing), there are more sheep here than people. Life feels safer and quieter here due to strict gun control laws. Guns are only allowed for police and licensed hunters. Even then, they get a goverment inspection yearly to make sure the guns are safely locked up away from children. People are generally more polite and helpful than most Americans. If you ask for directions, they go out of their way to point you to the right turn or stop, smiling and welcoming you here.
As I near the end of my trip, it will be hard to leave this wonderful but remote place. After all the next country South of here is Antarctica! I wonder if I can become an "adopted Kiwi." Hope so, at least in attitude.......................
We had a real shock when we first flew domestically from Auckland to Palmerston North. At the airport, we looked frantically for the usual security machines and finally asked a nice Kiwi passenger. She said "No machines. It isn't necessary here!" Wow! So different than the US.
Kiwis are very proud to be pacifists. All ships carrying nuclear weapons are banned from NZ waters. When in the town of Oamaru on the coast, we saw a large NZ military gun ship off the shore. When Chuck asked "Warship?", a proper Kiwi lady turned and said "No!" It's a "coastal protection vessel." Wow again. Big difference, I guess (even though we could see torpedos).
NZ seems a kinder, gentler version of our country. Although Kiwis look like us (with older clothing), there are more sheep here than people. Life feels safer and quieter here due to strict gun control laws. Guns are only allowed for police and licensed hunters. Even then, they get a goverment inspection yearly to make sure the guns are safely locked up away from children. People are generally more polite and helpful than most Americans. If you ask for directions, they go out of their way to point you to the right turn or stop, smiling and welcoming you here.
As I near the end of my trip, it will be hard to leave this wonderful but remote place. After all the next country South of here is Antarctica! I wonder if I can become an "adopted Kiwi." Hope so, at least in attitude.......................
posted by Chuck and Gay Mitchell | 7:03 PM
|
0 comments
