La viajera buscando

VIDEO MESSAGE FROM SUNNY NEW ZEALAND

2009-08-10T01:25:00.003-03:00

Hello my lovely people,

here is a short video message I recorded earlier today updating you guys on my fundraising campaign for Unicef.

I only have 4 days left so tune in and hear about the countdown ;-)

Keep smiling, Lisa

Paint Party, hutts, treks, riding, rugby, swimming... stuff you do in New Zealands winter :-)

2009-07-06T02:25:00.021-03:00

Swimming in winter...it was a nice day but still the water was freezing!!!

Hello you lovely, lovely people out there in the warm and sunny part of the world but and of course to all those who are "enjoying" the drizzly weather on the other half... :-) Its the end of July and I do not have much longer until my time in New Zealand is over. Weird feeling but I am getting ready.:-) As the deep winter is making days cold, grey and cold... I am just really looking forward to at least a few sunny days back home. Glen and I are however making the best of the last weeks together. It was our 6 month anniversary on 3 July and we planned a long weekend in Taranaki, visiting his Mom and sleeping in a hutt on a mountain. Then we went to a paint party, went swimming in the ocean at freezing temperatures, etc. So, here again a little update from my last few weeks! Today is Monday, 27 July and I have 6 more working days in Wellington, 2 more days working from home, a few things to sell that unfortunately are too heavy or bulky to take back home and... also... a few more calories to burn for my fundraising challenge for Unicef. I am at approx. 22000, so not that many more to go :-) If you want more information on my fundraiser, just click on the image on the top right corner. So... hugs and kisses from New Zealand and to some of you out there... See you very very soon :-) Lisa

Before going to the paint party... as you can see nice and white and clean :-)

After the paint party off into town! haha... people didnt expect that :-)

At the hutt in Taranaki... after we had the fire going it was boiling in that
Tramping to the hutt...the mountain to us :-)
At the Rugby match :-)
All blacks vs France... pretty cool!

Riding out for the first time in New Zealand...funny...when I came here i thought thats all i'll be doing :-)

Currency Converter Chart

2009-06-23T00:48:00.001-03:00

Picture updates from May and June

2009-06-22T21:39:00.011-03:00

Hello my lovely people from around the globe,

finally I managed to upload some pictures from the past 2 months here in New Zealand.

The first picture I took after burning my first 535 Calories on the first day of my fundraiser ;-) Since then I have burned a few more, going to spin and kick classes, etc. But I am still enjoying it and getting used to the early mornings on the bike!

For you who havn't checked out my fundraising page yet, please do so. It's all for a good cause ;-)

Beautiful sunset at the Kapiti Coast, across the road from us! This is one thing I will really miss!!!

Anna trying to disguise herself as a Malasian as she got tired of being the German ;-)

Mi chicas Anna and Elli smile for the camera! Big kiss to you girls!

Glen and me went to the rugby match of the All Blacks! Really cool atmosphere... after the haka my highlight was over though... here you can see how focued on the game we were ;-) haha

Rugby match, All Blacks against France. We were shouting All Blacks and then Allez les Bleus! We supported anyone on the field ;-)

Off to the theatre... We really thought it would be a nice play but afterwards we needed a few games of pool to get over the negative and intense input from the story! Worth it though!
This is Fred, no... wait... which name did we give him again? Not sure... but he was our favorite form the animal park... all fluffy and loved the attention!

More information on my fundraiser

2009-06-16T18:51:00.004-03:00

Hey hey,

lovely greetings from this freezing cold spot on the globe. This morning I did manage to get out of bed at 5.15am and sit on the spinning bike to burn these calories. Its freezing out there and at that time of the morning, it seems as if the entire world is still snuggled up in their warm beds. That doesn't help but once your at the gym, you're ready to go.

I guess it's the 80/20 rule. Its takes 80% of your motivation to get to the gym. But once you're there, you'll get through the training ;-)

Anyways, thanks to my dear friend Frank, I have fixed the "donate here" link, so it'll actually take you to my fundraising page. This morning I have uploaded some posts to that blog to give you more background information.

Click here for more information, It'll take you to my fundraising page, you can read the information, blog entries and if you want, you can of course make a donation by clicking on the orange bucket on the top right.

If you're not interested in the information, but still would like to kindly leave a donation behind, simply donate here.

30.000 Calorie Challenge

2009-06-12T08:45:00.011-03:00

Hey everyone,

Be part of a great cause. Help me to stay motivated by making this challenge work! Any donation is greatly appreciated. Click here to donate

Saturday, 13 June is my first training day ;-) I'm ready to get this started!

I'll keep you posted.

Have an awesome weekend, Lisa *con una sonrisa feliz;-)*

Yes, I'm still alive- living a happy Kiwi life ;-)

2009-06-03T00:14:00.003-03:00

Hello everyone out there,

I am so sorry for not updating this blog on a regular bases as I promised to do. But as life goes, you get into your trot of daily routines and as it's winter we're mostly enjoying life from an inside perspective... movies, shopping, pools, bowling, etc.

BUT, I do have a few more pictures to upload and I will do that within this weeks time. Believe it or not... I went horse riding!!! ;-))) And I loved it!

Thanks to Anna, who I met during my first month working at the horse ranch, I was able to go on my first ride in New Zealand. Funny to think that this was my first reason to travel so far and spend most time with horses, whispering to them the kiwi way ;-) And then good 7 months later I sit on a horse for the first time on this side of the world.

Don't get me wrong, I am not complaning... as probably all of you know... there was a much better reason for me to come to this very particular spot ;-)

With regards to this... Today is Glen's and my 5 month anniversary. Crazy to think how long/ short it has been. I can't make up my mind yet if it seems like a few weeks or a few years. I guess a little bit of both ;-) But to bring it to the core: We're still on cloud 7 (do you say that in English?) ;-) !!!

I am at work now so I don't want to make this a huge entry but I promise you hereby another post in the next few days with pictures of my past weeks!

Huge hugs and kisses from cold, cold New Zealand

Lisa

Hallo

2009-05-26T23:20:00.006-03:00

http://www.givealittle.co.nz/member/dianne/project/Dog4Jesse/iframe?ctxt=1&w=205&img=1&

Surprise Mai Herz ;-)))

2009-05-01T00:29:00.004-03:00

Who would have guessed that? I am on the other side of the world, as far away possible from the German custom to put up May hearts and trees for your beloved ones... but through some myterious connection, my sweetheart surprised me with a beautifully made heart on my window!!

It now hangs proudly in Seaview Road in Paraparaumu where only 2 people know what this is about. ;-) All others wpassing by will surely be jealous and will expect it too in a years time.

Who knows, maybe this is a start of May hearts in New Zealand!

Thats all for now, back to work and then off to my first rugby match. Go Hurricanes Go!

I'll soon upload those pics !!!

Happy Friday, Cheers, Lisa

Traditioneller Willkommensgruss

2009-04-16T22:22:00.004-03:00

hongi

ein hongi (sprich: hangi) ist der traditionelle willkommensgruss unter sich vertrauten menschen.

so wie bei uns die wangenkuesschen.

dabei beruehren sich die sich begruessenden an stirn und nase,

schliessen die augen und halten ein ein wenig inne.

so dreucken sie respekt voreinander aus, vor dem leben und sein des anderen.

vor seinem geist und gemuet.

und beider atem verschmilzt miteinander.

warum stirn/augenbrauen und nase?

sie versinnbildlichen die elemente luft, erde und wasser.

die nase ist koerper und schwanz des adlers, die augenbrauen sind seine fluegel.

die nase ist sein stamm des pohutukawa-baumes, die augenbrauen sind seine aeste.

die nase ist der walkoerper, die augenbrauen sind seine schwanzflosse.

Easter trip to Auckland

2009-04-16T20:59:00.007-03:00

Der traditionelle, furchteinfloessender Haka Gruss

20 Punkte fuer Glen. Er versorgt die G.E.K. Vorstandsvositzende stets mit frischem Kaffee 'Flat White'.

Kapiti Island

2009-04-16T20:54:00.007-03:00

kia ora!

gestern waren lisa und ich auf 'kapiti island'.

die insel liegt sozusagen direkt vor der haustuer,

wird in den alten maori-legenden mystisch verklaert

und gilt bei spiritualisten als energiequelle.

maoris kommen hierhin, um sich in der/den geschichte/n ihres volkes weiterzubilden

und kontakt zu vorfahren, zu anderen dimensionen,

aber auch heilung zu suchen.also so eine art lourdes-uni

die insel ist auch das erste naturschutzgebiet neuseelands-

seit queen victoria. nur 60 besucher sind pro tag erlaubt

und die duerfen sich auch nur auf 2 wanderwegen in einem relativ kleinen gebiet bewegen.

bevor man auf das boot darf, muss jeder seine taschen leeren, um sicherzustellen,

dass keiner ratten oder maeuse oder sonst was einschleppt. denn diese importierten nagetiere

machen es der einheimischen fauna und flora in ganz neuseeland total schwer.

hier gibt es naemlich nur 2 arten von saeugetieren, das sind die fledermaeuse.

aus diesem grund haben sich hier so viel vogelarten gebildet.

und den importierten possums, mardern, maeusen und ratten schmecken die voegel und vogeleier sehr gut.

und die jungen triebe der buesche und baeume.

daher brauchte man in den 80er jahren 6 jahre bis man auf dieser relativ kleinen insel alle nagetiere ausgerottet hatte. jetzt gibt es hier den groessten bestand der kiwivoegel, die auf dem festland so gut wie ausgestorben sind.

alle besucher muessen an der halbstuendigen einfuehrung teilnehmen,

lisa und ich sind dann noch mit der maori-frau debra , die die fuehrung machte und

einer frau, die das noch lernt, 2 stunden umhergezogen.

debra kennt alle pflanzen und voegel und die dazugehoerigen legenden.

hier gibt es nur 2 einheimische baeume, die ihre blaetter verlieren, alle andere sind immergruen.

viele baeume sehen in ihren ersten 'jugendjahren' ganz anders aus als als erwachsene baeume.

botaniker fuehren das darauf zurueck, dass der 'moa'- ein flugunfaehiger riesenvogel,

den die maoris selbst ausgerottet haben, immer einen riesenappetit auf saftige weiche blaetter hatte.

und so entwickelten sich einige baumarten, die zunaechst harte, struppige blaetter tragen,

dann aber, wenn sie gross genug und damit unerreichbar fuer die moa-viecher waren,

weiche, saftige blaetter bekamen.

aus einem busch machten die frauen heilsalben. dafuer nahmen sie nur die am meisten angeknabberten blaetter. sie verliessen sich auf die kaefer, die nur die naehrstoffreichsten blaetter futtern.

hier gibt es baeume, aus deren weicher rinde die damen londons einst huete gemacht bekamen

und blaetter mit solch starken fasern, dass die europaeer sie als schuhriemen nutzten und

schiffstaue daraus flochten.

im meer um die insel gab es so viele wale,

dass hier im umkreis 15 walstationen entstanden.

eine der ersten englischen einwanderinnen auf kapiti schrieb in einem brief,

man koenne nachts kaum schlafen, so laut sei der gesang der wale. und den regenwald

beschreibt sie so:

er ist schoener als alle kathedralen.

die walfaenger schafften es fast, diese walart zum aussterben zu bringen.

denn walleichen konnte man gut ausschlachten- walrat hauptsaechlich zur herstellung von kerzen

und die barten fuer korsettstaebe, aber auch reitpeitschen.

diese masslose ignoranz, habgier und zerstoerung verschlaegt mir immer wieder den atem.

als lisa und ich dann allein losziehen, setzen wir uns immer wieder nur an den wegrand und warten.

bald schon tauchen voegel auf, um uns zu beaeugen oder einfach ihren beschaeftigungen nachzugehen.

wir machen ein picknick und sind froh von debra vor dem 'kaka' gewarnt worden zu sein.

dieser braeunliche grosse papageienvogel ist ganz schoen frech und nimmt touristen ihr essen aus der hand, landet auf der schulter

und holt es ihnen sogar aus dem mund! wir verstecken alles, als er angeflogen kommt,

beim 2. picknickversuch geht lisa weiter, als es ihr zu bunt wird und der 'kaka' folgt ihr im tiefflug.

einer der frauen unserer gruppe hat er tatsaechlich

beim essen eines sandwiches die unterlippe blutig gebissen.

um 3 uhr bringt uns das boot zurueck zum festland,

wir fahren in den supermarkt, kaufen ein, denn heute abend haben wir 12 gaeste.

lisa bleibt ganz gelassen beim kochen, ich raeum auf, deck den tisch, organisier so rum.

ich lerne lisas freunde kennen, unter anderem die aupair-familie ihrer freundin anna.

greg und seine frau lisa haben 4 kinder und kommen uns naechstes jahr besuchen,

da sie unbedingt aachen sehen wollen. und lisas arbeitskollegin anna von der ranch,

die sich dort auch nicht mehr ausnehmen laesst.

und johnny, einen samoisch-englischen studenten der "pazifischen wirtschaftsstudien".

jetzt kann ich mir auch immer alle vorstellen, wenn lisa von ihrem alltag erzaehlt.

Die Legende des Maui

2009-04-16T20:52:00.004-03:00

Jetzt erzaehl ich euch noch eine legende, die uns dabra von maui, dem halbgott,erzaehlt hat.

maui wand ein netz und wollte dies um die sonne legen und ihren lauf verlangsamen.

denn die tage waren urspruenglich zu kurz und sollten laenger anhalten.

da ihm von der arbeit an der sonne so heiss war, bat er erst den vogel 'tieke'-auf englisch saddleback,

ob er ihm wasser bringen koenne?

nein, keine lust, antwortete der tieke. da schnappte sich maui den tieke und legte ihm seine

noch feuerheisse hand auf den ruecken und brannte ihm ein feuermal auf sein federkleid.

danach fragte maui den 'piwikawaka', auf englisch fantail (faecherschwanz) nach wasser.

aber der hatte auch keinen bock, maui zu helfen. also fing maui auch den fantail, drueckte seine schwanzfedern nach oben.

als folge hat der piwikawaka stets seine schwanzfedern hoch stehen und ist hyperaktiv und staendig in bewegung,

fliegend, von ast zu ast huepfend, sich um 180 grad drehend oder auf der stelle schwebend.

als letztes fragte maui den 'toutouwai'- ein kleines voegelchen.

dieser brachte dem halbgott wasser und wurde dafuer mit weissen brustfedern belohnt.

Zauberwald

2009-04-15T05:50:00.004-03:00

auf der rueckfahrt von auckland haben wir noch etwas wunderschoenes gemacht:
wir waren im regenwald und haben am schlafenden vulkan mount egmont/
'taranaki' auf maori, eine 6std. wanderung bei schoenstem sonnenschein gemacht.
hier gibt es eine redewendung: 'wenn man den mount egmont sehen kann,
bedeutet das fuer den naechsten tag regenwetter.
kann man ihn nicht sehen, ist das regenwetter schon da.'
der wanderweg hiess 'enchanted forest' -verzauberter wald-
und es fuehlte sich auch so an,
als ob jeden moment feen oder trolle erscheinen.
alle baumstaemme und -aeste bemoost, voller flechten und lianen nach oben und unten wachsend,
sich verflechtend und umschlingend, kein plaetzchen auf dem waldboden unbewachsen
und die luft nicht voller amsel-drossel-fink-und-star-gezwitscher, sondern voll fremder voegellaute.
und eine 50cm breite haengebruecke, die immer nur 1 person betreten darf-
huch-da durfte ich nicht in die 100m schlucht gucken
und musste mein hirn abschalten
trotz donnerndem wildwasserrauschen tief unter mir.
da war mal nicht der weg, sondern das ziel-naemlich das brueckenende- das ziel.
die wanderung tat soooo gut nach so viel autofahren
und bei leuten rumsitzen.
gestern sind wir nur von auckland aus nur bis new plymouth gekommen,
nach 1 million strassenkurven.
und heute bei der wanderung
um den vulkan dann 1 billion stufen.
um die wege vor erosion zu schuetzen,
sind immer alle 1-5 m
bretter mit der breitseite senkrecht ins erdreich versenkt,
die bei dem auf-und absteigenden gelaende stufen bilden.

bei 1 million stufen betraegt der hoehenunterschied 20cm,

bei der 2. million 40 cm und bei der 3.million gefuehlte 1m

(wenn man nur 1.58cm gross ist).

am ende wurde uns ein wenig mulmig, als die daemmerung einsetzte
und wir einfach nicht ans ziel kamen
und wir schon dachten, dass wir im wald
in der schutzhuette uebernachten muessen
und wir kaum noch die ganzen glitschigen wurzeln,
die quer ueber den weg wachsen sehen konnten
und ab und zu im matsch rutschten.
glen hielt uns bei laune und schleppte den rucksack-
20 punkte!
diese 1 billion-stufen-zauberwald-wanderung
war der abschluss eines wunderschoenen osterfestes,
zu dessen gelingen beigetragen haben:
die guten, gastfreundlichen, froehlichen, entspannten freunde in auckland,
das zusammensein mit lachen, lachen, lachen
Lisa ud Glen- in ihrer eigenen welt-einander liebend, umsorgend, achtend, erfreuend
und mich selbstverstaendlich einbeziehend
das reise-feeling, on the road, on the move, immer neues zu entdecken
das komplette abschalten von schule und alltag
die taegliche zeitungslektuere mit lernen, lernen, lernen
wisst ihr, dass die neuseelaender ganz entspannt am osterwochenende
schokoladen-osterhasen verputzen und wett-hasen-schiessen veranstalten?
hier ist ja herbst und die einst von den weissen importierten hasen sind eine absolute pest und plage fuer
eingewanderte farmer und einheimische tiere. also trifft mann sich, ballert alle hasen in der gegend ab, legt dann die beute voller stolz aus
waehrend mann den schoko-hasen die loeffel abknabbert. naja, besser den schoko-hasen an den loeffeln knabbern als...

heute haben lisa und ich ein wenig haushalt gemacht und waesche gewaschen,
dann haben wir einen langen spaziergang am strand gemacht, erzaehlt und erzaehlt.
ich muss ja einen vorrat an lisa in meinem herzen anlegen, der bis august reicht,
wenn sie wieder nach hause fliegt.
und an glen, der im september nachkommt.

2009-04-08T06:21:00.000-03:00

G.E.K.

2009-04-07T04:38:00.006-03:00

hallo ihr da oben,
ich schreib jetzt mal ein bisschen von hier unten auf lisas blog. ich will mich ja hier ein bisschen nuetzlich machen. und ich werde in lisas WG NICHT nicht den part der besuchenden mutti uebernehmen, die endlich mal das bad schrubbt und die jugend mit geputzten fensterscheiben, frisch gebuegelten waschlappen und nahrhaften speisen verwoehnt. sondern berichten, was so los ist.
lisa und ich kommen gerade aus wellington. da sind wir heute morgen zusammen mit dem zug hingefahren- ich nach 4.5 std. schlaf. irgendwie brauch ich den nicht so richtig, den schlaf. mein neues reise-motto: sleep is for the weak- schlaf ist fuer schwache. das hab ich von einem t-shirt-laden von einem aufdruck auf einem baby-t-shirt.
paraparaumu ist eine stadt, in der viele pendler schoen ruhig auf dem land wohnen, aber in der hauptstadt arbeiten.
im zug lauter teenager-schuelerinnen in schuluniform. uniform: grauer rock, weisse socken, schwarze schuhe, blau-weiss karierte bluse mit schwarzem pullunder. dazu die meisten mit wippendem pferdeschwanz, einige mit zahnspange und alle mit handy. sie schreiben sms und kichern. und sie duerfen sich nicht setzen, wenn der zug voll ist, also sitzen alle bei den tueren auf den treppen.

lisa war arbeiten, hat mir ihr buero gezeigt und ich war in den angesagten strassen unterwegs.
als erstes hab ich mir ne lokale zeitung gekauft und dann in einem cafe gefruehstueckt. und nachgelesen, was neuseelaender derzeit so alles bewegt:
auffaellig zunaechst die zum teil halbseitigen anzeigen von kindergaerten, die mit spanisch- und pc-kursen, mit fachleuten, die schauspielerei und musik unterrichten, werben und den eltern wird ein woechentlicher newsletter versprochen. eine fruehkindliches lernzentrum (early childhood learning center) wirbt sogar mit dem early childhood baccalaureat- dem fruehkindlichen abitur- mathe, lesen, schreiben ab 4.
dann ein bericht ueber die laendlichen schulen und den problemen der schulleiter dort- eine schule hat 14 schueler. die koennte ich auch leiten.
ich erfahre auch: der alte gerry von 'gerry and the pacemakers' hat im opernhaus in sydney gesungen und alle, alle standen auf und sangen mit bei: you never walk alone- das singen ja fast alle fans in den fussballstadien der welt. urspruenglich kommt das von einem musical des
broadway.
ich lass mich treiben, mach mir keinen touri-besichtigungs-MUST-DO IT AND SEE IT!!!-stress. wunderbar.
ich kaufe t-shirts und noch andere souvenirs und ein geschenk fuer glen.
dann warte ich mittags auf lisa und entdecke eine eisdiele. da kann man eis mit spannungsbogen bestellen:
eis mit viel schokolade zwischen 2 cookies heisst 'choked arteries'- verstopfte arterien.
je mehr schokolade, zucker, sahne, cholesterin etc dazukommen, je teurer im preis und dramatischer in der bezeichnung:
1. choked arteries
2. choked arteries with chest pain
(verstopfte arterien mit schmerzen im brustkorb)

3. heart attack
(herzinfarkt)
4. die young-die happy
stirb frueh-stirb gluecklich

lisa und ich gehen essen, dann bummel ich weiter und hab dieses weltreisegefuehl wieder:
turnschuhe, goldkette meiner schwester tina mit dem goldenen globus um den hals, der mich schon auf meinem trip um die welt behuetet hat, der druck des riemens meiner durchdachten, faecherreichen, robusten reise-handtasche auf der linken schulter und der rechten huefte und das wunderbare gefuehl: keiner kennt dich-keiner hat erwartungen.
um halb sechs treffen wir uns wieder und flitzen in regensturm zum bahnhof, in den zug, nach hause, nach paraparaumu und zu glen.
so, das essen ist fertig. glen, der von mir als vorsitzende des glen-evaluations-komitees (g.e.k.) taeglich mit punkten bewertet wird, hat fuer uns gekocht. selbst gemaestetes huehnchen, eigens angebautes gemuese und kartoffeln, persoenlich gekelterter obstwein.
er hat mir heute morgen 17 von 10 moeglichen punkten gegeben auf der skala der "muetter der freundin" gegeben (fuer humor und warmherzigkeit-ist das nicht schoen?).ich geb auf, ich kapitulier vor diesem wunderbaren jungen mann, dem herzallerliebsten von lisa.

hier seht ihr zwei videos. das erste vom begruessungsprogramm mit dem jeep im wald.
das andere zeigt glen mit dem geschenk von lisa von ihren geschwistern/schwaeger/In (in spe).
es ist ein freuhsteucksbrettchen mit deutschen kosenamen. schiesslich soll glen deutsch lernen und da faengt man am besten mit den redewendungen an, die der verliebte mann so braucht.

40 hour famine

2009-03-05T19:47:00.002-02:00

www.earthwatch.org

2009-03-05T00:22:00.000-02:00

Great songs - worth taking a minute!

2009-02-19T00:38:00.002-02:00

Black Seeds - Cool me down

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHgbqFUDebY

Bacl Seeds - So true

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDyUcmoIkl0&feature=related

Tiki Taane - Always on my mind

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3euc9pmst4M

Valentines Day

2009-02-18T19:44:00.017-02:00

My dearest people,

here are some pictures of Glens and my Valentines weekend. We went on a spontaneous trip up North to meet up with Glens sister and mother. Unfortunately I didnt take any pictures. But I am sure it wasnt the last time... In the evening we climbed up a Rock where we had an amazing view over the city of Palmerston North, Mount Edmont and the endless ocean ;-) With a bottle of Feijoa wine (special fruit wine from here) it was a perfect Valentines gift ;-)

Afterwards we had a great dinner in town and then took a quick drive up to Mount Edmont. There we parked the truck, made our very special bed ;-) and enjoyed the view, fresh air and tranquility!

The next morning we had breakfast at Mc Donalds, took a walk through the park and had an easy ride back home. What a weekend! What a beautiful world and life ;-)

Admitting it was Monday morning again was hard, but thats life! ;-)

For those who dont know yet, I have started my new placement a good week ago at the company called Givealittle. An online fundraising company located in Wellington. Its going really well, great team and good stuff to learn about!

Now, I hope these pics are suffiecient for the next days ;-) But I will try to do it more regularly! It will be easier for me as well as for you!

Big kiss and sunshine from the other side of the world.

And please dont think that because I am not writting to you on a regular basis, I am not thinking about you! Quite the opposite, my lovely people from back home! I tell everyone about you!

All the best and speak soon,

con una sonrisa feliz (who remembers ??)

Lisa

This is Kiwi life...

2009-02-18T19:07:00.003-02:00

Two random videos. One where Glen professionally plays the vacuum cleaner pipe. ;-) Reminded me a bit of home (Greetings to my Dad)

The other video I took yesterday on my way home on the train. I was coming back from work later than usual. Not toobad because the view on the train, overlooking the ocean with Kapiti Island right in front o you was worth it ;-)

Big mix of great time with heaps of fun !!!

2009-02-13T01:25:00.028-02:00

Hey everyone, how are you all doing spread around the world? I know that in one special part of Germany everyone is dancing around in crazy outfits, singing "Echte Fruende" and having a good time! An all meine Jecken Maerchenfiguren " Alaaf!!!!!!!" I am really sorry that I havnt been updating my blog enough. My apologies for that! I will try to do it more regularly! Now, here is a nice mix of pictures from my time here. From visiting the Stockcar Racing in Wellington, to a open air concert in the Botanic gardens, tubing and camping by the river... to just hanging out in Pram (Paraparaumu). There are more to come! ;-)

The Kiwi way of camping!

2009-01-21T23:39:00.010-02:00

In the last few weeks I have, besides hours infront of the computer, looking for a new placement and ringing up people for possible work options, had some great new experiences which I shared with a very special person ;-)

One weekend, we decided to take his truck 4 wheel drive and go camping. Now, camping sounds boring compared to what we did, hehe... we took a matress and placed it on his truck in a kind of frame which held it up. The picutre is probably self explanatory. First we had a look around a camp ground but non of the spots were what we expected. So, after a fun drive around the bush, we found a great spot... not the usual place, but just great! The picture will show enough. We were by the water, set up a little fire and enjoyed marshmellows on the stick, overcooked patatoes and the other nick nacks we brougth along. The funniest thing that happened was that we had bought a can of chilli beans. Since we werent equipped with pots and pans we just put the whole can in the fire...great idea we thought proudly ;-) Not for long... after a couple of minutes the whole can of beans exploded with a loud bang, firing all beans around !! Luckily we were not sitting directly by the fire when it happened! Could have ended not so funny! But we had a blast! The next morning we went for a walk along the beach, climbing up rocks. And then for breakfast we took a quick hike up the mountain and enjoyed the view over the whole Kapiti region! WOW!!

After a relaxing day at home, we then set off again to our next camping destination! This time change of perspective. We drove into a forest where Glen first showed me some exiting 4 wheel driving. The we found our spot. A little opening in the forest, Pine trees surrounding the spot. Beautiful, I can tell you! The next morning, we decided to go for another 4 wheel driving up the forest... haha... didnt go as well as expected! We had to go around a quite tight corner and the truck got stuck! Have a good look at the picture... we were stuck big time!! A first couple of attempts of us trying with a rope, made us realise that we needed better equipment... so, off we went for a walk out the forest to get cell phone reception and call for help... on the way a couple of people passed, tried to help us, didnt know how or didnt have the equipment... so, off we went again for a walk out the forest, back and forth... until after a couple of hours later, trying to pull the truck, lift it with branches that Geln chopped before, etc. we finally decided to call for help with the right tools. About 40 minutes after calling one of Glens friends, we were equipped with a hitcher, metal rope... and off we pulled the truck! I would say that Glen and I both stayed very calm the entire time, confidence in a happy ending... but once the truck was ready to go again, we couldnt wait to get out. In the end, we realised that the 4 wheel drive had broke and that was the reason for us getting stuck! Oh well... we got out, no one was hurt and after 5 hours waiting in the forest trying different ways of saving the truck,... we were out there, relieved and smilling!

That night we decided to just be boring but safe and stay at home ;-)

The truck was stuck right on the corner. Believe me, I was glad to be out the car!

First attempts to pull the truck out...

Can you find Glens head somewhere up there? Cary Kiwi boys... he was right at the top...

Climbing the rocks the next morning!

Our different kind of tent ;-)

Camp fire under the bridge... marshmellows and the can off beans still to come ;-)

My new home till August!

2009-01-21T23:31:00.006-02:00

Here are some pictures of my new home! Across the street of the sea, beautiful view on Kapiti Island, quiet, spacious and great room mates ;-)

I am sure more pics will follow ;-)

One side of the lounge area where I am sitting right now updating my blog ;-)

Kitchen area, with dish washer, oven and a microwace... luxus!!

View from our balcony. The Island in the back ground is beautiful Kapiti Island, nature reserve!

Other side of the lounge are, view on the ocean! Stunning when the sun goes down... hop over the street and enjoy ;-) Believe me, I am not taking this for granted !!!

New Years in Taupo

2009-01-21T22:35:00.009-02:00

Hey everyone,

sorry for keeping you waiting for the new posts. But as promised I am updating... ;-) The following pictures are from my days at Lake Taupo. My German friend Anna and her friend Johnny spent a week there and they inivited me to spend New years with them! It was the right decision to go there! We had an awesome time!!! I arrived in the evening on the 31 Dec., after some chatting, we went to have a quick dinner, got some bubbley (Sekt) and started to get ready. The greatest thing was that they had a hot tub included in thier room... something to look forward to when coming home in the next year ;-) So, all ready for the big night out we walked to town and hit the party scene in Taupo! All bars open and everyone on the street, in the bar... smilley, happy faces! We danced around until the countdown started and then went outside to watch the fireworks! It was great... New Years, warm wheather, surrounded by great people, watching the fireworks and thinking about the last year with all its challenges and adventures... and then thinking about what is ahead of you. EXITING!!! Afterwards, we went to hit the dancefloor again! Great time! And the highlight was... that even though the phone lines were blokked like hell... I tried myself a lot... my friends from Germany called me! What an awesome surprise! Thanks for that again, guys! They were all together in a bungalow park in Belgium, still having 12 hours to go for their New years ;-) Unfortunately I couldnt understand them a lot but the fact that they called, and thought of me made me beam and smile big time!!! But the night wasnt over yet... on our way back to the hotel, we decided to go for a swim in the freezing cold lake Taupo. It was right across the road from the hotel. So, we quickly went home, got changed and off we ran into the water... refreshing, but freezing cold!!!! fun, fun, fun! The greatest thing was that we could just run back to the room and jump into the hot tub in the back of the room! PERFECT! All relaxed, refreshed and happy this is where our New Years ended, to start off into an exiting, adventurous and surprising happy new year 2009! Off into a challenging, happy, smiling, adventurous, loving new year 2009 !!!!

Beautiful waterfalls

Midday for us on the 1st of January... we were thinking about our lovely family and friends in Europe!!!

Red lollys ;-) Happy New Year everyone!

Thanks for the great time, guys!

Party crew getting ready ;-)

Off into the freezing lake Taupo!

from the week in Waikanae untill the drive up to Auckland

2008-12-22T20:37:00.012-02:00

Just to make it a little more confusing to you... I put these pictures in a new post!! If you read the previous post first it will explain my current location and happenings ;-)
Here you go...

This was a little foto session on the beach with a German hirl I met up with. Anna, she is working here for a year as an o-pair. The family I was staying with for my first 6 weeks! I am so glad I chose this place to live! It couldnt have been better ;-)

Went to the mall with little, cool girl Maia!

My room with the king size bed and the softest matress I have ever slept in ;-)

My drive up to Auckland! I just kept thinking BEAUTIFUL !!!

My two necklaces hanging on the passenger seat... my lucky charms always with me ;-)

First day in Auckland... up on one of the countless vulcanos of Auckland...

Well... Mum! This picture is dedicated to your endless passion for the yummiest dessert on earth... Hokey Pokey Ice Cream !!! Alan and I cant wait to dig in!

It's all for a reason

2008-12-22T19:41:00.015-02:00

Hello everyone,
finally I found some time and quicker internet to write to you and update my blog! A lot has happened since my last post. Some of you might have heard already but for those who havnt, here's the story! Well, as you know I have started my work placement mid november, at a horse ranch in New Zealand. Before hand I have been in contact with them, arranging my stay, daily activities and assignments. Once I arrived, however... things were not going as expected. The first two weeks were ok. I was settling in and being with the horses all day, bringing them in from the fields, brushing them up, taking them on a speedwalks to the beach and back were fun. being outside, with the fresh air and the great scenery around... it was fun! But since I did come here as a work placement from my uni I decided to talk to the owners to discuss the future process of my work since this could not only be what I was here for. Surprisingly, thier and my expectations went into two different directions. Weird, because we had discussed these things through email before... but ok! During our conversation we then came up with some more uni related assignments which actually seemed to be interesting. The annoying thing was however, that the hours spent on those assignments was still just too little to make it valuable for my reports and my personal development. After a while I just had the feeling that if I werent to say anything more I was going back to only groom work. And having to remind them constantly about what I had initially came for... seemed just too much of a one way communication and interest! So, after trying to improve things... but not seeing any changes... I decided to leave for good and look for a new exiting placement in New Zealand. I guess I could have stayed there for another while, but that would have just costed me time. Since work hours were very long, it only enabled me to search on the web one or two hours in the evening. And since I wasnt even paid...why stay? Funny, because the morning of my birthday I was working till midday, and then I went into the office and quit! My own birthday present for myself ;-) So, the week after I quit I still stayed at where I was living, spending the days on the internet looking around for new options and then meeting up with friends in the evening. All those days I was hoping to receive a package sent from home... unfortunately it still hasnt arrived! So, last Sunday...the 4th Advent, I packed my bags, filled up the tank and left to Auckland. It was such a beautiful drive up!!! By accident I went on a detour, but I am just soo happy that happened. It was the most beautiful stretch of the ride!
So here I am now... in Auckland with friends of my family, Alan and Carol, again sending off emails for new placements.
Tomorrow I Christmas!!! What??? I am soo not in x-mas feeling! I am walking around in shorts, flip flops and tank tops! The sun is shinning, people lying on the beach... thats not Christmas? ;-)
I am actually at work with Carol... listening to Christmas Carols with the air conditioning on, hehe... but there is a little more wintery feeling in the air!
So, the next couple of days I will stay with Alan and Carol, go up North with them on the 27th December, celebrate Christmas with thier family, look at another horse ranch there (potential placement). And then see how things go. I have a friend down South, north of of the south island... maybe go down there for new years? or back to Waikanae where I made some friends... see where it takes me ;-)

Now, here are some pictures from when i was still on the ranch until the drive up to Auckland! The pictures are in the wrong order. So, best if you start from way below. ;-)

To all of you, where ever you are... Germany, England, Holland, USA, Australia, New Zealand... and the rest of the world...
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

Sophie and me in Wellington! She also quit working at the horse ranch a week before I did. And since she had a lot of stuff to take back home I offered to take her to Wellington, spend a night there, discovering its night life, sleeping in the car and then taking her to the ferry the next morning! And thats what we did! I will never forget that... it was amazing!!!

A great view over Wellington

Party time in Wellington! We went bar hoping, from one dance floor to the other! Great fun! FarOut as Soph would say ;-)

This was our cosy, little accommodation for the night! We found a great place, quiet but with people close...safe!

As you can see, the car was full!!!! This is where we got ready for the party. As my mom said: We tarted ourselves up in the car, and then hit wellington downtown with our "dancin shoes" on... hehe

I am sure that every tourist in Wellington took the same picture ;-)

On the way to Wellington! With music loud and smiling faces!

Danke Wissi. A friend made this for me. I will try to make it part of my blog layout. But till now I havnt figured that out yet;-) These were my work mates. Anna on the left, Sophie in the middle and me on the right. Enjoying the sunshine the horse fields spread out in front of us!

The ground of the horse ranch... beautiful as long it wasnt raining, hehe!

On the big stem looking over the roudn pen and the stunning scenery around me!

Horse whispering demonstration for a Christmas Party

First Kiwi News

2008-11-30T00:26:00.004-02:00

Hello everyone,
finally I start writting in my blog. 2 weeks already passed and quite a few things happened. Lets start at the beginning. Well, first of all I had a great journey. It was pretty long but with all the movies available on the plane it wasnt too bad. Once I arrived at the Wellington airport about 30 hours after my departure in Duesseldorf, I took a transfer shuttle to the train station. There, Janine, my company supervisor, told me to catch a train to Paraparaumu. So thats what I did. The train ride was beautiful! The sun was shinning, wide green fields as far as you could see, the sea on the other side... funny how I left Germany in heavy rain and clouds and then arrived in spring sunshine! And it is still a funny feeling wearing summer cloths in November. The first couple of nights I stayed at Janines and Andrew place on the ranch. They are a couple and about three weeks ago Janine had a little baby boy called Luka. During my days there I got to know my new bosses(?) and their home on the ranch. I also met the two girls, Anna and Sophie, who also work and live on the ranch. They are both from New Zealand. Anna has already been at the ranch for over a year, Sophie started only three months ago. It is great to have their company while working!! While I was staying on the ranch, I started looking for a nice accommodation around the area as well as for a cheap car that would get me to places. On the internet I tried to bid on cars on an auction... the first one Janine and I actually wanted to go and look at. Once we got to the house, the woman tod us that her daughter is still on her way home in the car and she wouldnt be back in the next hour. A bit dissapointed we left and decided to postpone the viewing to the next day. I called them up in the morning, and guess what they said..." Sorry, but we dont want to sell the car anymore". Even more dissapointed I went back on the internet... the next car was in Wellington. To make sure it was a good car to buy, I checked it into an AA (ADAC) inspection. Well, it turned out it was a really trash car, with high risk of needing maintenance...maybe not then!!! Then, finally Janine found a really nice car, a real bargain! So, i started betting and I WON! :-) So now I am driving this really cool, automatic Toyota car, with leather seats and with 6 CD compartments... really cool cruising around with "my own" car!
The other thing I needed was a place to stay!! On the internet I found some ads for "roommates wanted" as well as in the supermarket on the notice board. So, I rang them up and luckily Andrew took me to all the viewings. Downsizing the choices, I either had the option of living with a hippi- woman, a very luxurious place with a nice room mate (but very expensive), or move into a house with a portugese woman with her two little daughters (3 and 6 years old). With her, I would only have to pay for food and babysit once in a while... doesnt sound too bad, ey? So, thats what I went for. I have been living with her now for almost two weeks and it is an adventure. Even thought I am out working all day, I do see them in the evenings. Kids are great to play with, but once they get tired, they can be hard work:-) !
Now, you are probably curious about what I do at my work and how things are going... well, at the moment I basically do groom work. I start at 7am, get horses in from the paddocks (distances are a lot bigger here than in Europe) so you actually have to walk for about 5 min. to get to some fields. Then I brush them up, feed them, take them for speed walks to the beach or through the forest, take them back out, get other ones in...etc. Its quite a bit a walking, on my feet for good 10 hours, walking around the fields up and down the hills. The first couple of days it was really hard and tiring. It still is but I have got used to the walking now. After the first two weeks I actually know how things are done and I dont have to ask what to do all the time. Which can be kinda annoying I guess. But thats how things are when you start somewhere new. Ask around for help and advice. But I am glad that I know my way around now. Everyday I learn someting more. At around lunch time, we get an hour off to have lunch and relax a bit. The two girls, anna and Sophie, just live up the road in a small bungalow. Thats where we chill a bit, chat, watch TV and rest our feet. After the hour past, we start working again. We should be finishing at 5-5.30pm, but we at the moment we still work until 6 or 7 pm. Which makes the days even longer and more tiring! After work, I then go home, have a shower, have someting to eat and basically just fall into bed at around 9-10 pm. So, as you can see I am working most of the time. This is why I havnt met a lot of people outside of work. I dont have time to join a sports club or something outside work because of the long hours. But I guess I should just try to get used to the situation and learn from it.
Monday morning, we will have a staff meeting where we will discuss the next week, whats coming up and what needs doing. Andrew said he will then introduce me to some new projects for me. I am really curious about what they are! I have also arranged another meeting with him and Janine to disscuss the regulations of my uni for the placement. Cause I cant just be doing groom work being here for my uni placement!! But I am sure we can work something out.It is really weird; on the one hand I still really have to get used to things, work and making up my mind about how things are. On the other hand it seems as if I have already been here for a long time, knowing my way around and living my day to day life! But I hope that things will turn out well and that I have made good decisions!
I am thinking about all of you at home!!!! Thank you so so much for all your "good bye-presents". They are always with me, either in my room or my car! :-)Thats all for now, still have some uni stuff to do. weekend is almost over and a next week to begin!
Sorry for not writting any private messages to you guyss, but internet is sooo slow here that it takes ages to do things! But in my mind I am with you!

As usual, con una sonrisa feliz,

Lisa

Here are just a few pics... I promise more will follow!

The front of my car with my lucky charms- on the right my gardian horse angel from my parents :-)

The fields of the ranch "Sudbury fields"

Me on the beach enjoying the sun-yes, I already have a bit of a tan and my hair is getting blonder everyday, I love it!!

This is the kind of stuff you buy around here :-)

The beach which is just a 20 minute walk from the ranch!

Like a white unic horn :-)

This was only the beginning...

2007-06-16T13:47:00.001-03:00

Hey everyone,

so here I am on my last day in Argentina, looking back on all the incredible experiences I had. I really can`t believe that my 9 months of travelling are already over. It seems to have passed within a blink of an eye. But I can say for sure that all the people I met, the nature I discovered and the cultures I learned about were touching. I have experienced so much about myself and about my life and life in general.

The first step was to decide to actually interupt my studies, and the second step was to actually bord the plane and leave. At first it appeared scary; on my own for 9 months travelling through countries where I at first didnt even spoke the language. But at the same time I knew that it was the right decission and that I would bring me what I was looking for.

I named my blog "La viajera buscando"- The searching traveler. When I left I didnt know what I was searching for, but now my feeling tells me that I found it. Now I know what I want to do with my life. Now I can say with confidence that I am looking forward to the unknown!

Before I wanted to have clarity of what I want to achieve in life. I wanted to have a certain aim to work towards to. Now I know look at it from a different angle. Life is a big adventure that I´m looking forward to encounter.

I have decided to finish my studies in Breda. But after those two years of studying, I don´t know what will follow. And I like the idea of not knowing what there is to come. This makes it even more exciting; scary at the same time but if you take it as a challenge I´m sure it can be a lot of fun!

The world is a big playground- go and look for the thrill, go beyond your own borders and experience the excitments of life!!!

Sometimes you have to jump, leave things in your life behind to go on with your personal journey!

I did so and with no doubts I am glad to have done that. Now I am filled with new ideas and new perspectives that will help me to live my life to the fullest!

Wow, this is an intense paragraph about my travels but since it means so much to me I want to share these thoughts with you.

And to anyone who is thinking about travelling to experience more in life- Go!!

And as Nike sais it so simply: JUST DO IT!

Tonight I will start my travels back home. It is hard to say good bye to everyone here. The people I started working with on the ranch turned into being special friends!

Thanks guys for making my stay so much worth!

But at the same time I am excited about seeing all my family and friends again. It has been a long time. And happily I can say: Its time to go home!!!

I am looking forward to going home! Being with all my friends and family...huhu...it gives me butterflies in my tummy seeing all of you again ;-)

And the best thing is... there is a big party waiting for me. My Moms birthday party with the costum motto "What a wonderfull world" What a perfect timing!!!

So, here are some pictures of my stay at the ranch...enjoy and see you soon;-)

*Siempre con una sonrisa feliz*

Yes, this is concidered working ;-)

Geneva and Anthony in the corn trailer.

José the Gaucho working on a fresh cow skin

Gaizgani and Richiard partying in the club "Suett"

Us Gaucho girls on the way to the party!

Geneva giving a fongus wash to Louisdor- Of course, music is a necessity My Sweetheart Esther an me- Con una sonrisa grande ;-)

Gauhic Gregorio at work- What a working environment, he?

Louis and Linda enjoying dinner together ;-)

Another working day is almost over- last treatment with the sunset in our backs

I have never seen a "normal" sunset here- they are always breathtaking!

In the back of th pickup on the way to town- Esther, Renate, Geneva and Nabil

Believe it or not, I assisted with a cow being skinned. To be honest, it wasnt as gross as I thought it would be!

These are my bracelets I collected during my travels- They all have a little story to tell...

Anthony enjoying his last REAL Argentininen steak- Enjoy Buddy!

Big kisses from Gaizgani and Esther- I love you too, chicas!

Isnt that an amazing sunrise???

Morning ride with the Gauchos- off to herd some cattle...I love it!

El Altillo, I will miss you!!!

El Altillo-

2007-04-30T20:44:00.000-03:00

Bareback riding... out in the fields, listening to my music and enjoying the sunny beautiful day!

This was on a day out to the National Park Pelligrini. Tranquility and a lot of wild life!

What a wonderful day!

These are the other volunteers:

Esther(front left),Katie next to me and Anthony! What a team;-)

Out with the Gaucho Gregorio. Believe me...going out with the Gauchos is just like in the movies!

I love it!

Rounding up the cattle and bringing them up to the ranch... a life time experience!

Gracias para este experiencia de mi vida!!!

Out in town having a meal with every one...and suddenly we were surrounded by all these chicos! This one is my little cuty ;-)
Out riding with Esther and Anthony. And these sunsets we have every single evening. I am still astonished my the beauty!!!

Out partying in town. My roomy Esther and Anthony the English man ;-)

El Altillo Ranch- Argentina

2007-04-07T15:18:00.000-03:00

Hello everyone,

finally I found some time to update my blog. As some of you may know...At the moment I am volunteering on a argentinien Ranch El Altillo. It is in the North Est of Argentina close to Corrientes. The Ranch is in the middle of nowhere and to get closer to civilisation we have to take a taxi for 20 Minutes in to the small town Mercedes.

So far I am really enjoying the work here. Although can be really tough at some times...cause you are walking around all day, busy trying to get everything done on time.

But the people here are just so nice and fun to work with which makes it easier to keep on going!
Here are some pictures from our trip out into the fields. Since it was easter we didnt have to work in the evening and all of us went out for a ride. WOW...what a wonderful day!

Dont I look like an authentic cowgirl??? *;-)*

Galoping towards the camera...wow...this horse really wants to go!!!

Gaizkani and Luis- Brasilian trainer and the woman who knows it all!

I will miss you!!!

The morning feeding of the mares- every morning a nice start into the day. Hearing the horses enjoying thier food and an amazing view on the sunrise!

The Easter ride with all the whole crew! I love it!

Treating the fole against fever- may sound easy...

But no!Sometimes they can be a pain in the a**

Thats all for now...I hope you got an impression on what I am doing.

Its hard work but I love it!

Hasta luego, muchachos!!

2007-03-16T21:42:00.000-03:00

Hey everybody,
just to quickly let you know...the last 3months of my travels I am spending on a horse ranch in the middle of nowhere of Argentina, near Corrientes.
The first impresion: hard work, not only the nice stuff...but still GREAT! And I am just learning so much.

I am looking after mares, doing easy treatments and today I , for the first time, actually whispered with horses. And believe it or not, I WORKS!!!

Even though you dont wisper;-)

More later,
take care,
greets from the pampa,
Love Lisa

Desierto de Atakama

2007-03-09T15:35:00.000-03:00

Hey lovely people.

At the moment I am in the Atakama dessert...WOW...there is sooo much of nothing. But this is VERY beautiful.

This morning I went for a horse ride through the valleys...breathtaking! The nice thing was, that I was the only one with the guide. That way we could just take our time and go at our own paste and enjoy the silence!

Somewhere there in the shade thats me on "Metall". Unfortunately the pic didnt turn out too good.
In my emories it looks awsome! ;-)

This is the guide Juan with the obligatory Gaucho hat and me . He told me all about the past times, nature de Atakama and the people living here.

Me siempre encanta los caballos!!!

Siempre lindo!!!

Sparkeling stars and glooming moon

2007-03-05T19:26:00.000-03:00

In Chile, my Dad and I have visited a observatory. I think the pictures speak for themselves...

And my comment: WOW

Yes, this small white dot is the moon!

new pics

2007-03-02T15:58:00.000-03:00

Although it has already been a while...I uploaded some more pictures from my trip to Patagonia with Linda...so if you like just scroll down and enjoy the pics!

At the moment I am in Puerto Montt. In 1hour I will be off to a tiny town called Cochamo. There I will try to find a German who organises horseback trips through the Andes.

Take care, everyone and

Carpe Diem

Rapa Nui-Parade

2007-03-01T10:22:00.000-03:00

I dont want to confuse you with time jumping but here are some more pictures from the easter Island.i didnt get arround o it before, but I still want to share these images with you;-)

These pictures were at the end of the Tapati festival; as you can see there was a huge parade dancing through the strets of Rapa Nui. All people were painted with earth colours and decorated with amazing costums!

Enjoy

National Park Pinguino de Humboldt

2007-02-25T11:57:00.000-03:00

This was on our boat trip yesterday. We went to another National Park where you can see the Humboldt Pinguins, Pelicans, see lions and bottle dolphins... And we saw them all!!

The white rock in the background is the island where the pinguins live.

The pelican is sleeping in the sunshine

Although it is a bit hard to see...the pinguins are relaxing on these rocks!

There were about 15 dolphins splashing around us... they are some beautys!!!

See lions- all they do is eat, sleep and reproduce.

National Park Fray Jorge

2007-02-25T11:11:00.000-03:00

This is on our way to La Serena...we passed a National Park called "Fray Jorge". It is special because it is a green oasis in the middle of a desert- like environment. And I can tell you, when my Dad and I were driving along the dusty roads we didnt believe there would be any green National Park anywhere near...

...But as you can see... there was;-)

Now, who can find my Dad in this picture. I am not lying, he is there somewhere...hehe

This is in the middle of the forest...I guess Tarzan would have loved it here!

This is on our way down back into the valley. It is only 600m high, but as it says in the Lonley Planet, you CAN feel as if you are on the top of the world.

Here are some pictures from the trip to the National Park along the dirt tracks...I definately enjoyed driving here...;-)

Have a good look at this picture...this dirt track is supposed to take you to Buenos Aires...now, we are on the other side of the Andes, in the Middle of Nowhere...and there is a sign which tells you to stay on the dirt track to get to Buenos Aires, Argentina...now, isnt there an easier way to get there...;-) Oh well...

Yes, sometimes it was VERY steep

Maybe you cant really see it on this picture, but the Guard at the entrance said, "Just keep it in 1. or 2. geer and you should be fine going up and down the dirt tracks." sometimes it was steep. It took us 45minutes for 7 km. But it was great fun!!!

On the road

2007-02-22T20:43:00.000-03:00

This was on our way from Valparaiso to Las Vilas. On the way we wanted to strech our legs and so we walked down to the rocks, found a nice spot to watch the waves move in and out and to have a cheese sandwich!

Thats my Dad enjoying the sea view during our picknick

Rapa Nui- die 3.

2007-02-19T15:25:00.000-03:00

This is on our way up to the vulcano "Ranu Raraku". There are Maois where ever you look ;-)

This is at Tongariki- 15 Maois in a row and we were there when the sun came up to rise over Rapa Nui ;-)

My Dad the Maoi- Whisperer

At the moment I dont have enough time to upload all the other great pictures. But I prmise they will follow;-)

IORANA a todos

RAPA NUI

2007-02-12T15:43:00.000-03:00

The scenery during my 7hour horse back trip over the Island of Rapa Nui

Daddy in the shade of the Anakena beach.

This beach is like paradise. White sand, blue turkoise water, sourrounded by palm trees and the Moais in the back ground.

This is our daily "ice cream" --> a freshly cut pineapple. Jummy!!!

These Moais we pass daily when we walk from our hotel into town. Along the sea side through the small National Park...what a scenery every morning;-)

That`s me out on the beach with my horse "Koi Ha". It means mouse...and there is a very good reason for that name...the horse is small but very fast and gets past everyone when racing along the fields. (I experienced it myself...)

Well...this picture was taken after swimming in the ocean with the horses! WOW...I think I couldnt stop smiling for the whole day.

And I am sure that many more amazing pictures will follow...

Rapa Nui- Ester Island

2007-02-08T19:49:00.000-03:00

IORANA TAINA- Hello friends in Maui

Kaum zu glauben aber wahr...mein Daddy ist hier!!!

4 months without seeing my family and now my dad has come to visit me for three weeks.

I was so nervous and excited to pick him up from the airport Santiago because I couldnt realise that he was coming. But now we will enjoy the three weeks together and catch up on family stories of the past months;-)

The next 10days we will be on the Eatser Island. We were welcomed with fresh flower necklesses, checked into the wrong hotel, wondered around the Island to see the Mauis, seen a traditional dance competition, watched a horse race (Oh boy, they can ride...fast as lightening riding without saddles) and I have been interviewd by "Travel Channel" (so if you see me on air, let me know!)

I am very sure that we will have a great time here!!!

And I promise, as soon as I find a farely quick internet cafe I will upload some more pics for you.

Take care, bye for now, Lisa

!!! IORANA !!!

Tierra del fuego, Feuerland- Patagonien

2007-02-03T12:43:00.000-03:00

Then we had to say goodbye...Linda stayed for another few days and I left to Santiago.

Linda, mi chicaaaa...kurz und knapp: Es war einfach geil. Und keine Frage, wir sehen uns wieder!

Beso grandisimo

Normally Linda is a very nice person...here she just freaks out because her new tent already broke down. But luckily we fixed it before the heavy rain started!

This is in El Chalten on the horseback trip with the big mountain "Fitz Roy" in the backgrounds. People wait for days to have a great view...well, we had the BEST view on our first day!!!

This was at the beach cloe to the Estancia (Farm house) where we stayed a night...what a playground for great pictures;-)

What a place to put your feet up and just relax and enjoy the tranquility

Pinguins and see lions are so cute... but they stink like hell!!!

Thats a map of "Tirra del Fuego" ... and somewhere inbetween thats me!

Hey everyone,

I think its time again to let you know where I was the past few weeks.

The last two weeks I spent in Patagonia with Linda (a friend who I met during my Spanish course in Cordoba).

We left together to Ushuaia, the most Southern city of the world. There we did a day trip on a boat, saw some see lions and pinguins and had a walk on the small but very interesting islands. In Ushuaia we didnt do much more other than preparing ourself for a few days in the National Park "Tierra del Fuego".

There we spent four days. The first day we did a great but relatively hard trip up the Guernaco(?). On the way up I sometimes just felt like turning around again, but once I was up there...it was already worth the view. Around you blue- turquoise lakes, mountain tops covered with snow...WOW!!!

Up there, Linda and I enjoyed our hot soup and then trotted back to the camp ground.

The next day wasnt as successful...we wanted to do a rather short tour, 3hours there and back, walk to the chilenian border and back...but when we woke up it was already raining...But we thought it cant rain all the time and as long we are walking in the forest we should stay dry...well, I DONT think so;-)

First of all,. the border wasnt marked, so we still dont know if we past it or not, the forest DIDNT keep up dry and after 2 hours I didnt have a dry spot from my cloths!!!

When we got back to the camp ground it didnt look as if it would clear up very soon, so we decided to take down our tent and get the bus back to town 1.5hours later. After being completely soked (not only us but also our tent, sleeping bag and iso matress), we were ready to go, and what happened...the sun came out and hardly a cloud in the sky...

What a day...but, as man kind often says... SHIT HAPPENS!!!

After the National Park, we took a bus to Rio Grande. From there it is easier to get connection to EL Chaltèn. Well, we tought so, but it wasnt as easy as we thought. After a little organisation, we decided to stay at an estancia for a night and then travel on. Great idea...we arrived at the estancia and we basically expected a small, very simple bedroom. Well, as soon as we arrived we were introduced to our little farm cottage; with living room, diner table, huge bedroom and a great view onto the ocean. Unfortunately there wasnt too much to do due to the rainy weather. But Linda and I wandered around the windy beach and enjoyed the tranquility!

The next morning we got up early to get to El Chalten early enough. And so we did, after a day of traveling we pitched our tent midnight, quickly organised a horseback trip for the next morning and just fell into bed.

Next morning we got up and went on a 6hours horse ride...WOW, what a landscape and what a ride. At first the horses were a little sleepy but then we got them to run;-) And whjat a lot of people may be jealous about...we had a perfekt view on the Fitz Roy and the Torres...some wait days to see them and we were lucky the first day.

Unfortunately I only had 1.5days to spend there. So, for the last morning we wanted to go on a boat tour to see a glacier...but, as the weather changes within minutes...it was cloudy, rainy ...and so we didnt go...not another trip in the rain!! So, we just spend some hours in the internet, in the

Cafe Chocolateria and then I already had to leave again. I had a 30hours trip infront of me to get back to Santiago in time to pick up my Dad from the airport.

Waiting at the bus terminals I got to know some Columbian guys, travelling around selling their hand crafts...so that let time pass a little faster.

On thing is clear...I am soo damn glad to have done this trip with Linda. We had an unforgettable trip in Patagonia! I am very sure I will look back to time with a big smile on my face ;-)

Now its time to pick up my Dad;-)

Trappa Trappa- Back to Basic

2007-01-22T20:24:00.000-03:00

Last week I went to Los Angeles with a friend Nina. There we first stayed at a beautiful hostel in the middle of nowhere. The owners are German and moved to Chile 17 years ago. They sold all their belongings and left to live a life in peace and quiet. What they made out of this place is just amazing. Its hard to find, but once you found your way through the tiny little path ways hidden by huge trees and plants, you get to the Oasis. The atmosphere is layed back, and within seconds you feel like home and can enjoy the tranquility by the river.

Talking to the couple, we found out that an 5 hour bus ride would take us to a "village" called Trappa Trappa. This village consists of only a few houses spread out over kilometers of land. The people living there are still indigenous and speak their own language. The couple promised us a dventurous bus ride and a peaceful stayin the mountains. And so we went...

Enjoy the pics

Waiting at the bus terminal, sitting in a corner we quickly were sourrounded by all kinds of fruit boxes, huge water melons, vegetables and children running around.

I think the people were kind of confused seeing two blond tourists waiting for a bus to Trappa Trappa. Later we found out that we were two of 10 tourists who ever went there;-)

This was the view from our tent. Nothing but pure natur!!!

This is the cutest little indian boy I have ever seen. I cant remember the name but it meant "White bird". He was so cheerful playing in the river with his friend, shooting the ducks with a self made bow and exploring the wild life...what a childhood!!!

More will follow later;-)

FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS

2007-01-11T16:58:00.000-03:00

10.1.2007

Feliz Cumpleaños

an meine super duper mega geile globetrotter Mami!!!

50. Jahre

Danke fuer deine unglaubliche Unterstuetzung !!!

11.1.2007

Dann noch ganz Liebe Gruesse an mein Allergroesstes Schwesterherz.

Danke fuer alles!

Te quiero!!!

2007-01-11T16:43:00.000-03:00

This was in Bella Vista- a barrio in Santiago famous for its nice bars and clubs...

Linda and me enjoying a good tequilla sunrise

These are two mexican friends from Linda.

Sam on the left and Aturo on the right.

Always there for a good party time ;-)

These are the mexican with Rico. A German friend I met in Buenos Aires. By coincidence we met on the streets in Santiago.

I think this is a good illustration of the average size of Mexicans comparing to Germans;-)

Aren´t they cute...

La cumbre del Rock chileno...

2007-01-11T16:20:00.000-03:00

This was at the rock concert in Santiago. The Stadium national was awsome...5hours chillin and dancing, singing along *if the lyrics werent too difficult;-)*

But one thing I must say...the audience at German rock concerts are way more enthusiastic!!!

At first it was a little hot, but with enough water it didnt hold us from rockin´

In the evening it cooled down and the stadium just looked soo beautiful...with all the lights and everybody singing with the corus...WOW

And of course Linda and me were perfectly fine ;-)

But talking about the audience...this would not be possible at a German rock concert... a dog without an owner in the middle of the crowd having a sleep...

But everybody took care that he would not be disturbed...

Santiago de Chile

2007-01-05T11:17:00.000-03:00

Hey eveyone,

just to upgrade my blog...on the 2.1.2007 I left Mendoza, drove over the Anden and arrived in the beautiful city Santiago de Chile-My friend Linda that I met in Cordoba, is doing an internship here and now I am visiting her for a week.

The town is really nice...is has around 7Million inhabitants but in comparission to Buenos Aires it is way calmer and not as hectic. And one really important factor is that the climate here is not as humid and in the evenings it really cools down which enables you a good night sleep;-)

Here are the first pics...but I am sure there will follow some more.

Tonight I am going out to a club called "Blondie". Its an alternative club with hopefully really good music. Saturday we are going to meet some mexican friends who lived in Valparaiso for half a year to study. But this Tuesday they are flying home...therefore they will have a great farewell party at a chilenian rock concert. "La cumbre del rock chileno"... This is going to be sooo god damn huge...Its in a stadium and lasts for 7 hours. Although I dont know the bands..i am sure it will be awsome...

So, lets rock, baby!!!

Mendoza for New Years Eve

2006-12-29T18:14:00.000-03:00

Hey everyone,

just to let you know...I have packed my bags and I will leave Cordoba this evening with my friends Charlotte and Andreas to celebrate New Years Eve in Mendoza. This town is famous for its wine and of course its beautiful scenery. It is on the other side if the Andes, same hight as Santiago de Chile. I hope I will find a place to go finally go horseback riding and do some other fun sports as white water rafting, etc.

Antother thing I am truely looking forward to is the fact that I will meet Nina there. I met her at the beginning of the Spanish course and we lived together in one family for 2 weeks. And since she is a horse freak like me and wants to go to Santiago soon, maybe she will be my travel companion for a while.

Well, I am definately looking forward to this trip and hope that the start into the new year will be just as thrilling and exciting as the months I have spent here up to now.

I will let you know what I will be doing next and hopefully there will be some more pics on soon.

I hope you have enjoyed the Christmas days and have awsome plans for New Years Eve.

Keep on rockin`, Lisa ;-)

2006-12-24T18:39:00.000-03:00

Hola mis amores,

I hope all of you are enjoying Christmas eve and are able to celebrate it with those people you love!

No matter where you are on the world...I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Take care everyone,

my best wishes from Cordoba,

Beso grandisimo, Lisa

Diversity of Buenos Aires

2006-12-19T15:23:00.000-03:00

Can you find the owner of this shop?

He sells acient posters, postcards, comics, newspapers, articles...everything you can imagine.

This stuff is old, precious, he sells it for nothign but for some this would be worth a LOT of money

San Telmo- every Sunday evening there is a street market in San Telmo.

Here are some musicians playing bongos and singing to it cheerfully!

Plaza de Mayo- these white headscarfs are circular positioned around a monument of the Plaza-

they symbolise the mothers and granmothers of the disappeared men in the dark period.

Since they were not allowed to demonstrate loudly and women would not be arrested as easily, the women decided to walk around the plaza silently to prosted against the political regime.

Up to today, every thursday at 3pm the women still come to the plaza to remind the people of the still unfound men.

Puerto Madero- this modern port has only been constructed. Therefore it is very exclusive and a fancy place to be.

Once I came here on a Sunday afternoon to do my homework- its perfect to watch people, enjoy an ice cream in the sunshine and of course to focus on your Spanish homework ;-)

Casa Rosado a Plaza de Mayo

Plaza de Mayo- a political demonstration.

Since it seemed pretty afressive I kept in distance...

This is in Park San Matin- there is a heart exibition.

Nac, Samira and me connecting two hearts ;-)

The typical painting and writing of Buenos Aires- no matter if its a street sign, Kiosko, or a theatre entry... this is the style

"El corazón del mundo"

This is in parc San Matin- I often come here to picknick, chill, write my diary and watch people...

It gives you a little brake from the rush from downtown!

This is the Obelist on the main 9 de Julio

The Tango flair catches you everywhere

2006-12-19T14:50:00.000-03:00

*It takes twoto Tango*

I took this picture while srolling through the street market in San Telmo- on this little plaza called Bathlem Plaza Tango music is played and people can just join in and dance...

This is in the main shopping street Florida.

They create a little dancing area in the middle of the street, start the music and off they go.

Dance, entertain and feel- and all of this with fervour

This is Cafè Tortoni- people say that if you want to see and authentic and non touristy tango show... then this is the place to go.

The show was breathtaking and a lot of fun to watch.

The way they move with passion and tell a story by dancing so emotionally- amazing to watch!

This is Nac (Turkey), me and Samira (Brasil)- although we all speak different languages, come from different cultures and ages differ widely- we had a great time!!!

This pictue is also in a park of Recoletta- the cementary in the background.

This elderly gentleman is a fanous Tango dancer and singer from the past. I am very

sorry but I forgot his name. As soon as I looked it up at home, I will let you know who I met;-)

Anyways, now he is wandering through BsAs, singing and dancing on the street, in parks and at markets, to somehow to not fall into oblivion... and as you can see form the smile- he WAS a show man!

I LOVE BUENOS AIRES !!!

2006-12-19T13:57:00.000-03:00

RECOLETTA CEMETARY

If you enter the cementary of Recoletta it seems as if you are walking though a spooky ghost town. It is not like a normal cementary with the graves and little flower beds in the front...

This cementary is where the rich people from Buenos Aires are burried; such as Evita Péron. For this reason the graves are like little houses.

They have more than one floor so there is enough room the entire family. Sometimes, when you look into the "door" you can actually see the corphin.

Many people think it isnt right to leave the corphin at sight, but others say that this way the family members can be closer to their relatives or friends.

At first, when I didnt have an impression yet, I thought I could not find myself sitting next to the corphin, being able to sit so close to the dead. But when I was there, looking at the graves and seeing how nice they were made up, I now think it is a very nice way of keeping the dead.

Here are a few pictures so you can get an impression of this strange, creepy but still so beautiful place!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is in Barrio Recoletta-the Barrio of the rich.

What a tree, ey?

This is Nac and me in a park in Recoletta

RODIN, René Auguste

"Le baiser"

This sculpture is presented in the

Museu National de Bellas Artes

FrançoiLEFEBVRE, Jules Joseph "Pandoras"

Seeing this picture in the museum...WOW...

I dont knoiw why but I think it is just very impressive!

Whalewatching in Puerto Madryn

2006-12-11T17:55:00.000-03:00

Yesterday I went on a trip to the half island Valdès close to Puerto Madryn. On this island you can go on a whalewatching tour. Four other people from the hostel and me rented a car and left to discover the whales. It was such a great day with so many beautiful animals-whales, see lions, pinguins and Guanacas.

But of course, seeing the whales strolling around in the water and having fun splashing arround was just amazing.

On the first picture we are just getting started to search the whales in the open water.

Starting on the left we have Jaque (Belgium), me, Anna (Holland), Susannah (Germany) and France from France ;-)

The whole day was just so much fun and watching the whales was such a great experience, so I hope you can enjoy my pictures and take part in my experience!

Disfruta !!!

This deer looking like animal is a special type of a Lama, called Guanacas (I am not sure about the spelling)

Here you can see some see lions enjoying the sun !!!

And isnt this cute little pinguin just sooo sweet!!!

Good Old Cordoba

2006-12-09T20:05:00.000-03:00

This is my Host family, Magret on the left and in the front Solè, my host sister. Gracias para todo!!!

Isn`t this a great sun set...

This was on our way to Santa Rosa

This crazy picture was taken during our small road trip to Santa Rosa, a small town in the mountains Cordobas`. Charlotte on the left and Andreas on the right. We had a great time. Although it ended a little dangerous since I fell from a Gaucho- horse. Luckily nothing extremely bad happened- some prised rips and a bad back for 2 weeks ;-) Gees, was I lucky!!!

This was my teacher Raul. I think he sometimes had a hard time with us crazy chics...but I still think he did a great job.

Muchisima Gracias, Raul !!!

This is Leandro. He is the cook in our favorite restaurant "Estacion". No matter what time of the day...we were there ;-) Thanks for the great meals...mmmh...

This is the main church in Cordoba, directly at the big Plaza San Matin.

This was at an Italian restaurant. On the left side are my auwsome room mates. Thanks girls for the fun time we had in this crazy family;-) and also for the great parties. On the left side is Linda-she became a great friend and I am already looking forward to seeing her in January in Santiago de Chile
We actually told the waiter that it was my birthday...that way we got a free dessert and they played "Cumpleaños Feliz" for me...What a fun evening!!!

This is in one of the numerous parks in Cordoba where a group of people are performing a Capuera-dance! WOW...what a show!

This was in a bar in Nuevo Cordoba. As you can see...the wall is full of names which have been scratched into the wall with all kinds of materials...well, I cant miss this tradition...so, now my name is part of this great peace of art;-)

Here is a funny picture from a Lama...although it isnt the best picture...I just love the look on its face ;-)

This was the "great" trip to Carlos Paz. I think the town actually has something to offer, but since we went with a tourist organisation is was a very disappointing trip. Instead visiting the beautiful lake you can see in the background, wen went to a "Dulce de leche"-entreprise...WOW;-)...
At least we could enjoy the nice view from the mountain for a few minutes.

This is a picture from the San Matin Theatre in Cordoba. They often have concerts of all kinds...But it is definately worth going. The entry is very cheap and the inside is stunning- original Barock-style! I went twice, once to a PIano-Violine concert of two French women and the second time to a concert of "Swing 69". Great music!!!

Just arrived in Puerto Madryn

2006-12-09T13:20:00.000-03:00

Hallo Ihr Lieben,

wollte nur eben bescheid sagen, dass ich gut angekommen bin im Hostel in Puerto Madryn. Super schoenes Hostel und anscheinend auch super nette Leute.

Ich hab grad eine Deutsche, Hollaenderin und eine Franzoesin kennengelernt, die sich wahrscheinlich fuer morgen ein Auto mieten wollen, um dann auf die Halbinsel Valdès zu fahren und da eine Waltour zu machen. Ich haette diese Tour auch vorher uebers Hostel buchen koennen, aber ich wollte erstmal vor Ort schauen. Das hat sich anscheinend als schlau raus gestellt, weil wenn man das selber organisiert natuerlich viel billiger ist. Die drei maedels scheinen echt lustig rauf zu sein...deswegen werd ich mich ihnen wahrscheinlich anschliessen. Sie haben sich heute morgen auch erst kennengelernt...also bin ich nicht ganz aussen vor.

So, nach dieser 20 Stunden Bus tour will ich aber erstmal duschen gehn. Denn so kalt wie man sagte, dass es hier sei...ne ne, das stimmt mal gar nicht. ich weiss nicht ob das nur heute ist, aber es ist nicht kaelter als in Buenos Aires...immer noch strahlender sonnenschein bei ca. 30Grad.

Nach der Dusche, mal schaun was ich machen werde. aber da ich schon leute kennengelernt habe...werd ich hier wohl nicht alleine rum gammeln.Am BUsterminal hab ich 4 maedels angequatscht, Die sind auch hier im hostel, bleiben aber nur einen tag, weil es fuer sie dann schon wieder weiter geht.

Mal schaun, wie mein Tag enden wird...ich freu mich auf jeden fall drauf!

Liebe Gruesse also aus den Sueden!!! Fuehlt euch geknutscht...Lisa

2006-11-23T16:23:00.000-03:00

Hey Allemale,

ich habe einen plan fuer die naechste woche. ich hab heute einen aus meiner sprachschule wiedergetroffen, der seit einer woche schon fertig ist aber noch in Buenos Aires ist. naja, und er hat erzaehlt dass er und noch 2 andere morgen nachmittag nach Iguazu (Das sind die Wasserfaelle am Dreilaendereck-Brasilien, Paraguay und Argentinien) fahren fuer ein paar tage. da hab ich mir gedacht, hey warum nicht...? Da wollte ich sowieso hin und die leute sind richitg nett und witzig...freu mich richitg...ist zwar ne spontane Aktion, aber warum nicht!!! Tickets werden heut nachmittag gekauft...und morgen nach der Schule gehts los!!!

Wir werden 18 Stunden mit dem bus hoch fahren und da haben wir dann ein Hostel gebucht. Die Touren werden wir aber vor Ort buchen und nicht eine organisierte tour mitmachen. so bleiben wir flexibel und koennen selbst entscheiden, wie wir was wann und wie machen wollen.da es ein Dreilaendereck ist kann ich so wahrscheinlich auch mein visum verlaengern. das laueft ja quasi Ende Dezember ab und sobald man eine Stunde aus Argentinien raus ist und wieder zurueck kommt, kann man weitere 3 monate im Land bleiben...also, ich werde bis dienstag ca. in Iguazu bleiben, dann zurueck nach Buenos Aires. Am Wochenende kommt mich dann eine freundin aus Santiago besuchen...das wird auch sehr geil...

JUHU...ich hab mein erste Woche geplant und wahrscheinlich wirds sich der rest des Jahres auch so ergeben. ich hab gestern einen aus USA kennengelernt und er wird auch ne zeit lang reisen,..., wir haben schon gesagt, dass wir zusammen reisen koennen...das wird auf jeden fall sehr witzig!Aber sobald weitere plaene stehen lass ich es euch wissen!!!Bis dahin...

Enjoy what ever you are doing!!!Beso grande para vosotros! Lisa

* What an adventure *

2006-11-21T15:34:00.000-03:00

Hey everybody,

greetings from Buenos Aires. I have ended my 6 weeks Spanish course in Cordoba and last week I travelled to Buenos Aires to continue for another 2 weeks with the course. And... OH MY GOD!!! Anybody who hasnt been here yet...GO!!! It´s a great city for anybody. No matter what preferences you have, you will find it in Buenos Aires. Tango dancing couples on little plazas*no matter what tmie of the day or with day*, theatres, dance shows, tango and salsa classes with authentic teachers, rock bars, after office parties, horse races...now, i could go on for hours here but i hope this gave you a first impression of what BsAs has to offer.

Yesterday I actuallty went to a horse race. But since it was Monday, there werent too many people. Still I enjoyed watching the horses race by and seeing the jokeys prepare for the race.

But the best part was when Samira (a brasilien girl from school) and I started gambling. Of course we had no clue how it works, but with a little help of a nice Argentinien gentleman we managed to bet some money.

Since I didnt know who to bet on I chose my lucky number, 13... and who thought it would happen... of course number 13 won!!!

Unfortunately I only bet 2 Pesos, so I only won 9 Pesos...but hey...I WON!!!...

BUt the best part was anyway that by coincidence we met a woman who knows the jokey, etc. And since we both won, she took me by the hand and dragged me to the winner "podest". So, now I am on the picture with the winner horse, the jokey...and god knows who else there was.

Hopefully I will soon receive this picture and then I will upload it for you to see.

What a great adventure.

2006-11-06T17:56:00.000-03:00

Hallo meine Lieben,

tut mir wirklich leid, dass ich die letzten wochen keine fotos mehr hochgeladen habe, aber die argentinischen computer sind halt manchmal nicht so gut, dass sie fotos hochladen koennen. ich werde es aber weiterhin versuchen und hoffe dass meine Seite dann mal etwas attraktiver wird.

Besos de Cordoba, Lisa

Pics from my first week in Cordoba

2006-10-08T18:59:00.000-03:00

Das sind Carina und ich... Sie ist ebenfalls in meinem Kurs. Trotz derMuedigkeit hoffe ich, hattest du einen schoenen Abend in der authentischen Argentinien Atmosphere- Salsa non Stop!

Samstag Abend in der Salsa-Disko. Zuerst eine faszinierende Show und danach wird die Tanzflaeche gestuermt! Erinnert euch an Dirty Dancing 2-Es war genau so...nur noch viel besser;-)
-Ich mit Linda, sie ist mit mir im Sprachkurs. Danke, dass du mir meine ganzen Fragen immer beantwortest;-)

Wie es sich gehoert...nach dem Reiten erstmal Marte trinken. Das ist das "National"-Getraenk. Vergleichbar mit gruenem Tee, aber mit einer sehr besonderen Art es zu zubereiten und zu trinken...nicht mein Fall, aber man muss es probiert haben!

Auf der Finca...Ich hoffe Fotos vom Ritt folgen bald!

Auf dem Weg zum Reiten duch die Sierras...Mit einem Aelteren Mann, der uns mit seiner Folkore Musik in die richitge Stimmung gebracht hat!Gracias...

Ein Theater wie im Bilderbuch...suess, klein und Charm ohne Ende. Auch wenn das Stueck nicht wirklich mein Stil war... Es hat sich gelohnt!!

Meine Andere Mitbewohner, Katharina...bei einer netten Runde Cocktails in Nuevo Cordoba!!

Nach der Schule erstmal in den Park chillen

Eisessen bei Grido mit Nina, meiner Mitbewohnerin...das beste Eis ever!!!

Mein erster Abend...ich denke es war mit der Beste Einstieg den man haben kann!!!Bis zum naechten morgen feiern und sich sofort willkommen fuehlen!!!

Hilton Head Island-my first week!

2006-10-08T18:20:00.000-03:00

Hey everyone,
Here are some pistures from Hilton Head Island where I spend my first week before going to Argentina...
As you can see...I had a great time.
A trip with the Motor boat with the dolphins, picnick on the beach, sun bathing by the pool and sun set before leaving and starting off to Argentina!!!
Thanks again to Dot and Joe who gave me the best week to prepare myself for the huge trip!!! And by the way, Joe...I did see the sun rise in the plane and I was on the right side!!! It was perfect!!!

My first 2 days in short

2006-10-02T16:00:00.000-03:00

Hey everybody,

i just want to let you all know that I am fine and that I have arrived safely. I live together with another 2 girls from germany. There were great welcoming me. Of curse in the evening we all got ready for the first big party at a club which lasted until the next morning.

To my new home: I have a small room for my own with a MINI-bathroom attached. Although it is quite dirty in the whole house I think I will get used to it in notime and can actually feel like home there. The house I live in belongs to a Britisch lady who already lives here for years. She and her adoptive and handicapet daughter are also staying in house. Still we have our space and can basically do what we want to. In a few days the pool should be cleaned...so that would be a nice thing to have.So, as you can see---

I am getting used to everything, time after time...and I guess I will have a great time. Especially the weekend, I will hopefully go on a two day horseback tour through the Sierras de Cordoba---wouldnt that be awsome?As soon as i can upload some pictures I will do so...that way you will know a little more about my new environment. I hope all of you are fine and are also enjoying life!!Bisos from Cordoba, Lisa

2006-09-29T17:52:00.000-03:00

Hi everybody,

I would like to start my page upon this moment since I am starting my trip in a few hours. I am just about to get into the plane which will take me to Cordoba where I will spend my first 6 weeks of my trip. There I will start my Spanish course which I will continue in Buenos Aires for another 2 weeks.

Basically the plans for my trip end from there on. Who knows...Maybe I will horseback down to Patagonia and will exlore the stunning mountains and glaciers. Maybe I will have fallen in love with Cordoba and will be a new tour guide showing tourists the best sights and the most popular clubs...But maybe I have already had enough of Argentina (which I dont hope) and will travel on to Chilie, maybe with a bunch of new friends, and see where life will take me from there on...

All this openess I can only enjoy with the help of my parents. THANKS for all your help and great support!!!

Relating to my openess and unknown future I have came to the title of my blog: La viajera buscando... Translated this means the searching traveller. This expresses the idea and "aim" I follow with this trip.

I hope I will find that I am looking for...

Now, I hope you will enjoy my blog and will fill my guestbook with endless comments. Thanks for any entry.

Have a nice day, Greetings from the other side of the world Love, Lisa

2006-09-26T12:44:00.000-03:00

May the adventure begin!!!

Let's go...