Some additions...

A couple of more notes on language: 
Noreen had agreed to purchase some macaroons from a gal at the Saturday market. When she heard the price was ten dollars "She almost fell off her perch!" She bought them anyway.  also this is the season for  "roasties" which are root vegetables that you roast up to eat.  [added on June 27- When I got home this evening from my Abel Tasmen tramp, I found Noreen had started getting roasts ready for our dinner, but Boh had intervened and she was giving him his bedtime bath.  I finished them up & popped them in the oven. They smell lovely now!]

Vicki asked about the concert I attended the other night in Auckland.  It was wonderful! I started the evening with a massage and then got the bus to downtown.  I had a wonderful little supper at the cafe outside the concert Hall...I now know I had a side of roasties with my quiche.  The concert was a key event in the Matariki Festival, which is the Maori New Year.  It is the time when what we call "Pleiades" constellation emerges on the horizon & it is harvest time.  I chatted with Maori twin sisters in the lobby while waiting.  They let me know how meaningful this event was to their community.  they were also really fun to talk to, just like sisters to me, too! The line up for the concert was amazing! I was too tired to stay after intermission, but got to hear the sets I was so interested in: Adeaze!  (sweet, harmonic Christian songs by a pair of Somoan brothers playing acoustic guitar). Ardijah! (5 performers doing "Poly-fonk!). Maisey Rika!(gorgeous diva with  melodic voice) Tama Waipara! (wide-ranging male voice ). All have either NZ, Polynesian or Maori roots.  Much Maori language was spoken, which is a beautiful language, but I missed many of the jokes since they were not in English.  Periodically throughout the performance a group of Maori dancers in traditional dress came out & sang, danced, played interesting instruments I had never seen before & did their war whoops with bulging of the eyes & tongues out...thrilling!  

Reflection on time one week in:   The day I left, my sister Wanda took me to the airport and we had lunch at a restaurant across the street.  she prayed with me & asked God for each meeting I have to be a divine appointment.  She left me off at the door to the airport where my sister Vicki was waiting for me.  "My work is done here," Wanda said & we laughed!  Vicki & I hung out together for a bit then she prayed with me for traveling mercies before I went through security.  I really believe the prayers are being answered moment by moment.  Everything is just right!  I could not ask for a better experience so far.  Val at the Mercy SPirituality Centre was like an older sister, helping me make connections & checking in with me daily (I would pop into her office & give her an update morning/evening).  Here in Nelson, Noreen feels like a long-lost little sister or niece.  It feels like home.   Baby Boh is sweet & Noreen & I play with him & chat up a storm comfortably.  

Today I had a wonderful "tramp on a track" as Noreen says.  She recommended the hike.  It is astounding that she can walk just up the street from her home, hop onto a trail (track) and hike a steep climb up the mountainside, along it & get to the centre of NZ with a 360 degree view from the top of a cone-shaped mini-mountain.  I saw most of Nelson from there, out to the sea & Abel Tasman National Park with its range of beautiful mountains.  It is a glorious view!  From there I continued on & dropped down in to the center of the town of Nelson.  They have wonderful parks iin town too!  There is a lovely walkway along the river, ornamental gardens (European & Chinese), etc.  I had lunch in the open air cafe then walked back.  Quite a walk.  A play with Boh when I got home & then a solid power nap.  We made a delicious dinner.  Noreen made the Beef Casserole (yummy stew similar to Beef Bourg...) and I made a puree of parsnips & garlic with braised greens from her garden.  After a shower, my washed clothes were hoisted up on the drying rack that hangs above the kitchen & dining area.  It lifts up by way of a pulley system ...really clever & apparently Kiwi all the way!  Good night now!