Beam Me Up, Scotty!

Passing by Victoria Square in Christchurch, we hopped off the city tram to see the end of a bagpipe festival. It was a great treat to see the outfits and hear the haunting sounds of the instruments. Am told that the kilt patterns are very specific to clan membership - pretty cool.

A labor (or rather - "labour" - when in Rome, as the saying goes!) shortage in the late 1800s encouraged a number of British and Scottish families to migrate to the region for farming work and better opportunities. These pioneers endured an ardous three-month ship voyages from Great Britain to New Zealand. (And we have a tough time with a five-hour airplane ride!) Imagine a father, mother and some five or six children making the long overseas trip in very spartan quarters.

After arrival, many passed away during the first winter, as shelter was limited and fatigue from the voyage made surviving the harsh weather difficult. This region is rough, rugged and raw - apparently wind and storms from the Antarctic make their way over the central mountain range (called the Southern Alps), then gain momentum when coming down the mountains to hit the Canterbury Plains and Christchurch with significant intensity. I never fully understood the term "hardy stock" until coming here - the locals are friendly and polite, but definitely hardworking, industrious and straightforward. They are very proud of their heritage and their fellow Kiwi - truly wonderful people!