I arrived in wanaka on Monday afternoon and made it to my backpackers. I was in a four bed all girls dorm. I didn't request it but it was really nice! Then I went to the New World grocery store downtown, hungry. Don't do that! I walked out carrying all the things I wanted to eat. I had pesto and olives and blue cheese and bread and eggs and yogurt. As soon as I start walking home I think, "and what am I going to be eating all week?" I managed though! Luckily everything I bought were full of oils and fats! Monday evening I spent with my roommates drinking wine and playing a confusing German card game. My blue cheese and olives made a good compliment! I'm always planning ahead! The next day was rainy and cold. Freezing, 50 f, it was warmer in Maine. Our entire hostel was huddled in the kitchen baking things all day to keep warm. We didn't do much all day. I was annoyed because the day before on the bus was beautiful weather. Every time I'm on a bus the weather is beautiful, then I get to my hostel and it rains the next day. That night I played music with my friend from Israel. She played great guitar and we had an awesome jam session! We had an entire audience. It was such fun! That night she offered to take me and my friend Kay tramping. We were planning on doing the Roy's peak. It's considered to be the best day tram of all New Zealand. Going past a glacier and then up to the second highest peak in Wanaka. The next day we left around 8am. We drove for a long time. Not sure exactly how far but at least and hour on this dirt road trying to fun the trail head! There were deer and sheep and cows crossing the road all the time. The animals when you get up into the mountains aren't fenced in. After a long time we made it to a sign warning us that because of all the rain the day before the rivers weren't safe to cross. There were nine forges between us and the trail head and 10k. Because we had a rental car without insurance we figured it was a bad idea to try. So we went and hiked the Rocky Mountain Peak instead! It was a great climb. Lots of switchbacks though, I don't appreciate them, I prefer straight up. With switch backs your just prolonging the uphill agony, where as straight up its harder but then it's over and you're at the top! None the less a terrific day with wonderful company. Sharron just finished med school in Israel and is traveling for a few months before her internship starts in March! And Kay pronounced Kai is studying economics and is here on break. When we got back Kay, Sharron, Christina and I went to a cinema that had couches instead of seats. You ordered dinner and they brought it to you during the movie plus during intermission you get a warm cookie that they baked while you were watching the movie! It was the way all movie theaters should be! Kay and Christina were my roommates at the hostel, both German. Christina hurt her ankle doing a short trek in the rain on Tuesday. She's an invalid at the moment. Today I'm continuing on with them up the west coast. We are on the nakedbus to fox glacier right now. I'm excited that I have these great girls to travel with for two weeks! We're headed up the west coast to Nelson.