"The Sin Bin" *
No, this is not a post about the moral depravity of New Zealand! But it caught your eye, didn't it??! 😈
These are just more cultural tidbits from the Land of the Kiwis.
* BTW, the "Sin Bin" is where penalized rugby players go for a few minutes or more when committing particularly bad fouls. Much like the "penalty box" in ice hockey. But I like the "Sin Bin" name better!
Election for Prime Minister
It's fascinating to watch the general election race for Prime Minister of New Zealand. Voting Day is always a Saturday, and this year it's officially on Sept. 23 (although regular voting started Sept. 11, and I don't know why!)
The campaigns pale to ours in the States. No primaries, no conventions and no trashing of character! Debates and disagreements, yes. But not the pure poison we're accustomed to. Each party chooses a candidate and the populace votes. Simple.
The National Party (like our Republicans) is led by the incumbent Bill English. They were well ahead of the Labour Party (like our Democrats) until a change was made in the Labour's candidate to Jacinda Ardern about a month ago. Now it's a toss-up. There are lesser parties too.
Main issues are housing (costs are sky high!), health care (especially mental health) and water quality.
The City of Christchurch
Christchurch was the 2nd largest city in New Zealand until the 2011 earthquake. Recovery has been extremely slow and its namesake, the Christchurch Cathedral, is still in ruins as argument continues on how to rebuild. So in it's place is . . .
The Cardboard Cathedral, a transitional cathedral built of cardboard tubing that will only last about 50 years.
By that time, the original Christchurch Cathedral question should be answered.
Messy church
Messy church is kind of like our Sunday School. It takes place one Sunday a month in place of a regular service. Our church does it the 3rd Sunday. It's open to all and is quite casual, having various stations where you can participate in whatever you wish.
Crosswalks
Formal crosswalks can be anywhere on a street, not just at corners. A pedestrian can cross at any time in a crosswalk (unless a traffic signal says not to) and ALL approaching vehicles from either side must stop until he completes the crossing. No sneaking by a pedestrian or just slowing down. Kiwi drivers abide by this 100%. Fascinating.
By far the most popular national sports team in New Zealand is the All Blacks, the men's national rugby team. But there are other national teams as well, both male and female. Try to match the national team name with the sport. This can drive you batty!
_____ The Black Caps A. Men's basketball team
_____ The All Whites B. Ladies' cricket team
_____ The Black Ferns C. Ladies' basketball team
_____ The White Ferns D. Ladies' netball team (a bit like basketball)
_____ The Iron Blacks E. Men's soccer team
_____ The Tall Ferns F. Ladies' soccer team
_____ The Tall Blacks G. Men's cricket team
_____ The Silver Ferns H. Men's (U.S.) football team
_____ The Football Ferns I. Ladies' rugby team
Answers (in order from Black Caps to Football Ferns)
G, E, I, B, H, C, A, D, F
Believe it or not, there are more. But this is stressful enough!
And finally . . .
Yes, the following would make sense to a kiwi. Have any idea what they're saying?
"When students are wagging you may find them in the CBD drinking spiders and eating lollies. But they better not do P."
Answer
"When students are skipping classes you may find them downtown drinking ice cream floats and eating candy. But they better not be doing meth (the drug)."
A bit of explanation: 1) CBD means "central business district." Very few kiwis say downtown. 2) "lollies" can mean lollipops but is also used for any kind of candy. 3) "P" refers to the methamphetamine drug, a big problem here. The "P" means "pure."
