Language challenges & a change of venue

Saturday June 25

Sitting this morning by the window of my room, looking out at the grapefruit on the tree close to the window and tall trees  and magenta magnolia blossoms in the background.  Right now the sky is blue in Auckland!  I heard it snowed back in Seattle today, so I might as well enjoy the NZ weather as summer (in the 50's & 60's so far..should be a bit cooler, but sunny in Nelson).  I will catch a flight to the South Island today, just after noon, and finally meet Jeeta's daughter, Noreen, and her baby son, Boh!   

As I was saying about the language barrier here...
I am surprised as you might be by the presence of such a barrier, but believe me, it exists. I thought it would be so easy to start my trip in an English speaking country!  It is true that different idioms are in effect, like "pulling hens teeth" meaning something is difficult, and turns of a phrase are different like "took a fright.". By the way, I have got a fright each time I have been on the bus.  we are driving on the wrong side of the road and it appears there are no drivers in the other vehicles!  Numerous times I have gone momentarily breathless, only to realize that these things are simply turned aroUnd here.
However, the thick NZ accent has caused confusion.  For instance, children lunching at the Meadowbank school (please see last blog to fully understand what I will share here). The principal, Peter, was telling how the students are now cooking up lunch with produce from the gardens twice a week.  I asked where they do that and where they lunch.  He said they lunch in the hole!  I asked for him to repeat that and he said very clearly that they lunch in the hole.  I asked once more, but then stopped for two reasons.
 1- I did not want to annoy him, since I had already had to ask him to clarify his speech many times.
2- I thought that at a school where the children can trek through a bush-gully and routinely haul compost, that they may very well also lunch in a hole!   As it turned out, we came upon a large multiple-purpose room (used as the gym And with tables and kitchen) that Peter said was the hole where the students have their lunches...the HALL where they hAve their lunches, that is!  so they do not lunch in a hole!  similar misunderstandings have occurred daily, but fortunately have not led to any real distress.

ALSO-Arrived in Nelson after a short, gorgeous plane ride.  apparently the other two airlines were canceling flights to avoid ash from the Chilean volcano eruption.  NZAir flew low to avoid it.  Met Noreen and Boh in flesh and blood for the first time.  They are absolutely delightful!  I feel very at home here.  I am also happy to meet Chi, her dog! more language acquisition: to be gob-smacked meAns....? this from Noreen, who had been gob-smacked by the astounding beauty of the South Island!  Jeeta and Boon popped in on Skype to say HI too...so looking forward to my visit with them!