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East-Side Update from Downunder
East-side Update from down Under
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\r\nBy Andy Newell
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\r\nWuzzup! Newell here with an update from New Zealand.
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\r\nFor me, one of the greatest things about traveling down to New Zealand every summer has to be the fun-loving laid back attitude of the country. It’s amazing! It seams like everyone down here is so care free and friendly, and always in good mood.
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\r\nI got my first taste of this attitude as soon as I sat down on the plane for the 13 hour voyage from LA to Auckland. I found my seat next to the window in a row of three and kicked back getting ready to sleep for a couple hours. As soon as I sat down this old lady from New Zealand took the seat next to me. She was wearing a bright purple get up and must have been over eighty. Anyway, as soon as she sat down she started talking my ear off in one of the thickest New Zealand accents I have ever heard. I could barely understand a word she was saying. At first if I didn’t understand what she said I would say “excuse me” or ask her to repeat it or something. After fifteen minutes of that I finally just gave up and would just smile and nod my head at everything she said. This lady was a hoot. She started ripping off all these dirty jokes… it was hilarious. Most people like to spread out to open seats once the plane is airborne, but not this lady. We had been in the air for almost an hour, and the isle seat in our row was wide open, but she just settled in right next to me explaining to me all the natural wonders of New Zealand.
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Andy Newell leads the sprint team up a hill during some sprint intervals yesterday. The sprinters did three sets of 3-by-one minute, all out, with a couple minutes of recovery in between intervals. The sets were divided by a several minutes of rest. This is a tough, tough workout!
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\r\nOnce the dinner cart had gone through and the Lady had consumed a solid 3 or 4 classes of chardonnay she really started to go off. Laughing away, and just breathing fire from her black grill of teeth. Unfortunately soon after I had boarded the plane I took two Ambien (which are extremely strong sleeping pills) that can really put you out and sometimes do some weird things with your mind. Before I knew it the walls of the plane started moving and the lady’s thick New Zealand talk started to sound more like Japanese. The next thing I remember is waking up 5 hours later. I think the old lady was still telling the same story I fell asleep to, just with 4 more empty chardonnay glasses in front of her. I just started smiling and nodding my head again.
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\r\nThings went on like this for most of the flight until the lady, after finishing 2 more alcoholic drinks with breakfast, finally passed out for a few silent moments before the plane landed. New Zealand if filled with people just like this. People don’t even think twice about giving you a hello when you pass by and always have a story to tell in their own unique way.
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\r\nThe skiing is unreal here and the training opportunities are endless. The Snow Farm and Snow Park is a fast growing business. Each year there are more and more skiers coming here, and some of the best snowboarders in the world come to train a few hundred meters away. Because of the growing number of winter sports athletes come to these parts, and all the extreme sports going on with all the friendly locals around I have decided to have a continuing segment here on Team Today to help out all the new travelers:
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\r\nThe Encyclopedia of Kiwi Lingo:
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\r\nNo worries – a common phrase in New Zealand and Australia that really shows the true spirits of these Nations. Because of the relaxed attitude of the locals the phrase can be misleading and in many situations worrying may be in order.
\r\nEx: Yeah, that bungee cord does look a little long. No worries mate.
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\r\nSunnies - sun glasses
\r\nEx: take your sunnies off before jumping out of a plane at 15,000 ft.
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\r\nPrimo Roady- a phrase meaning an excellent road trip. It is very easy and cheap to rent cars and RV’s in New Zealand enabling you to hit the road and go wherever.
\r\nEx: Me and my mates scored a primo roady down to the coast for some surf.
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\r\nGood on ya- another common phrase that has several meanings such as. Good effort or good idea.
\r\nEx: Trond, you didn’t crash the van driving up that sketchy road like a banchy. Good on ya mate.
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\r\nRight is Wrong- they drive on the left hand side of the road here in New Zealand, and on all the rental vans it says “to live stay left”. What they don’t tell you however is that this applies on the ski trail, in the hotel hallways, and on the sidewalks in town as well. Its a good thing to remember to avoid everyday collisions.
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\r\nThat’s all for this entry. Look for more “Encyclopedia for Kiwi lingo” and more updates in the next couple weeks. Cook and I are taking a primo roady up north after the camp to find some surf too so stay tuned for that.
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\r\nSki on!
\r\nNewell
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Wendy Wagner and Rebecca Dussault doing the same intervals as the sprint team, yesterday. THe distance crew did several five minute level four intervals with a technique change half-way into the interval, thus training for the duathlon race.
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Written By: anewellDate Posted: 8/17/2004Number of Views: 341
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