Leaving New Zealand soon. It’s strange because I arbitrarily decided to come here in November and am now arbitrarily moving on. Not much contemplation went into either decision, just a feeling. Some thoughts on this country and my three months here.

1. I will miss having gorgeous beaches all to myself, running on beautiful trails every day, and being able to start the day on top of amazingly lush mountains and end it staring up at millions of stars in the middle of the ocean.

2. I never want to live in a concrete jungle or run on pavement again.

3. I will NOT miss the ridiculous prices ($8.50 beers and $30 campsites?!), the lack of Internet access, or empty city streets after 5pm.

4. A summer where you have to wear flannel socks and a Northface jacket after the sun sets is not a real summer.

5. Always. Wear. Sunscreen.

6. Nowhere else have I thought so much about possums, rabbits, stoats, or sandflies. At least there weren’t snakes.

7. Nowhere else have I been offered a car to drive or a place to crash by people who’ve known me for less than 10 minutes. Thank you, Kiwis, for your amazing hospitality.

8. I was lucky enough to get to know great people here, some for 20 minutes or a night, some for weeks or months. They’ve all helped open my eyes to the unlimited possibilities in life and challenged and motivated me to live with joy and without fear.

9. I now say rubbish instead of trash, chips instead of fries, and reckon instead of think. It’s time to go.

10. Next time I come back, I want to bike tour around the country, hike every day, and live in a tent. Seriously.