Thoughts of the day...

• We've met less than 10 Americans on our trip so far. It makes it easy to tell an American if they're wearing a baseball cap, order a Domino's pizza for dinner, or can't name a player on the All Blacks. Oddly....if they are wearing a shirt boasting the name of an American city (Detoit 76 for example)....they are NOT American.
  
• Thin walls and heavy doors at the Old Countryhouse do not make for restful nights.
• Fish n' Chips are great for 3 meals ... then the novelty wears off and you're longing for a strenuous hike
  
• The wind breeze here in Christchurch makes 20 degrees Celsius feel like 20 degrees Fahrenheit...well maybe more like 40F.
• Go USA U-17 Women's soccer!! We saw them comeback to beat Germany in the World Cup semi-finals 2-1. They go onto the finals in Auckland on 11/16 against the People's Republic of Korea.
  
• We don't "miss" Target yet, but do appreciate how convenient they really are.
• Next time you're checking out at the Fred, Cub, or Safeway, appreciate how efficient they are at scanning your items and getting you out the door. Believe us, that's not a universal phenomenon.
• We hope Megan and Jon (and Wendy and Jim for that matter) are getting some sleep.