Christchurch

Everything seems to be going well so far. I was a little anxious about taking this trip to the South Island without really planning everything out, but it seems that my worrying was for nothing. I am in Christchurch now, which is on the west coast of the South Island. I posted a map and a link to the map on the right. Christchurch reminds me a little of Montreal with all of the old buildings and people that speak with an accent. There is also a cute little trolly that is filled with cute little old people. I am staying at a "backpackers" tonight. It's actually quite a bit nicer than I expected for $20 a night. Some guys just came in and gave everyone in the room free shots of a "fruity mixed drink," and it's only 4:30.

There is a mix of people staying at the backpackers. Most of the guests are college aged people from all over the place. I'm not sure exactly where they are all going, but most of them wear flip-flops and have gel in their hair, so I don't think they are hiking. I have also seen a few middle aged people walking around. White shoes and visors are

 common attire for this group of people. I don't know where they go either. 

I posted pictures of the big cathedral (Christ's Church?) in the center of the city and a war memorial. The war memorial looks pretty dramatic, doesn't it?

I pick up my rental car tomorrow. I'm a little nervous about driving in a foreign country on a foreign side of the road. I didn't opt for the extra $12 a day insurance. I guess I should just hope for the best and remember to GIVE WAY (it's what they say here instead of YIELD.)