Night at the Movies

Thanks to Sally for the great talk on Denmark and the delicious pastries the other week.  I love hearing about other countries and cultures and this was no exception.  Learning things about Denmark (and other countries) that only a 'local' could tell you is the one of the best bits about our group, I think.   I learnt a bit about New Zealand too as my perceptions were completely different from how others saw it here.  Good to have your eyes opened for you once and a while. 

This week it was a night at the Movies and when they described as dry, they were not wrong.  Whiskey was an entertaining look at the duller, subtle side of life where most days are the same and not much happens!  It was a good film though and great to be in Eric's cinema again.  Great to follow up the movie with a few laughs and drinks down at the Water Front.  Hot topic of conversation being the Emperor penguin and other NZ animals ;)

If you haven't been to one of his movies you really should make the effort.  Only $5 per person and all the money goes to Air Ambulance so you can enjoy the movie knowing that you are also helping the local community.  They are fortnightly at 6 Michael Rd.

Matariki Poi

Last Friday we met again at our new place, the Te Nikau Chapel,where Eurika received us very warmly,the room had been warmed  up and she was doing some cafe. Immediately we felt welcome. Annie, our new creche helper, was already there, ready to play with the Children and very soon, after a healthy morning tea ( for the kids-the adults were lucky because Jo's husband had had a birthday the day before and she brought a delicious choco cake!) they started to play with play dough, to throw balls, to roll toy cars...

Just in time for Matariki Yossarian had the good Idea to give a Poi workshop.She did not only show us the technique, everyone had the opportunity to do one, but also to explain a lot about what a poi is, where and when it is used by Maori. The talk was very informative and culturally interesting! After this Yossarian taught us a song in maori and we tried even a little dance!

I just loved it, again in a friendly atmosphere to learn about the culture and to create somethings myself!
It was nice to involve the older kids. Malte enjoyed it very much, he knows poi from kindy and saw some dancing. Now he can extend his skills that already includes the haka.

The only wrong thing: why did we do only 1 poi? the dancers have often 2 poi, Malte wanted to be a real Maori, he wanted 2 poi!! and Loàn? he absolutely wanted 1 poi too (the only one we had, means Maltes poi...). And I?? I just please don't want fight! Now I know how to do Poi....I know what to do this weekend: 2 another poi!!;)

The longest walk?

This month we were treated with a fantastic autumn morning to go on our walk and the warmth of sun meant some of us were taking off layers of clothes before we even started.  Meeting at a playground was a great hit with the kids, who would of stayed there quite happily I'm sure if it wasn't for us getting on the go at 10am.

Great to see some new faces there.  Hopefully we didn't put you off as while it was our shortest walk in distance so far it managed to be our longest in time!!! Honestly we don't normally take that long ;)  We all made it to half way and then began to go our separate ways as time was running towards nap times and feeding,  however 3 of us finally made the full loop in time to head home for lunch.

Fingers crossed the weather for next month is as fantastic when we head into Queen Elizabeth Park.  Remember if you have any ideas for walks that may suit the group please let us know so that we can include them too.