What does it mean to be a New Zealand? Rugby? Cricket? Fish and Chips? I am afraid that my writing this entry will circle back to the many stereotypes within New Zealand that from the outside seem to define what the countries people are all about. I have experienced many of them: I have played touch rugby, I have played and watched cricket, and I have eaten a countless number of fish and chips meals. It is hard to push away from these things to think more deeply about who a New Zealander is. Prior to coming here, we read about how rugby has shaped the nation and its players have become figures of national identity, but we also learned how the immense importance of the sport has split the population. So, yes obviously sport plays a large role in our defining of a New Zealander and the pride they hold being from this island. However, before I really delved into thinking about who they are, I wanted to think about what it means to be an American. We are definitely proud to be from our country, just as Mark Falcous demonstrated to us by simply asking the room to raise their hand if they were proud to be an American during his lecture. Not a single hand was not raised in the air that day. But, what else is there? The American Dream? Chasing your passion to make it into a career and take advantage of the monetary opportunities Capitalism provides us? How about American sports? I think the same concept of the American Dream applies there as well. Still, I wanted to really break it down. Forget the outward perceptions of a people or culture formed by infrastructure, institution or organization. I believe there was far more to be learned from the individual people themselves.
As a result, I kept this prompt in my head as I observed locals in each city we visited. How they interacted with each other and with us as foreigners. What I learned was that these people are genuine. They are down to Earth as one might say. Of course, there is diversity among them as there is everywhere, but from my observations and interactions with them life is a blessing and is to be shared with those around you. They understand the meaning of the little things and I think one thing they do best is just stopping and realizing their surroundings. In America we are too easily distracted by the fast-paced life riddled with stress and responsibilities that consume our minds and bodies (at least I know I am). A New Zealander celebrates the bountiful nature around them, engages with it, and in turn engages with one another. I had never hiked a mountain, never been on a sail boat, and never met such openly nice people in my entire life. I guess I saw countless examples of what it meant to be a New Zealander, but I will not try to limit their culture in words. Instead, I will use a real person to describe what it means to be a New Zealander. A person who is open to meeting new people, holding real conversations with them, treating absolutely everyone with respect, and all while holding an honest sense of humor. For me, Andy Grainger is what is means to be a New Zealander. Not everyone might understand this, but until I go back and experience something different, that is my answer. Quote me on it.
Blog Entry 14: The Nation
Foreign Adventures-New Zealand 