20 Birthday Madness!!

It was a warm Thursday morning when I set foot off the bus from Rangiora into Christchurch for 4 days of fun and excitement. I trecked down the street with all my bags and luggage, parting crownds of pedistrians with my heavy load. I sought out to find my hostel. Hostel, that was a new word in my dictionary... I had no idea what to expect as I hit the steps of the YHA Rolleston House. I checked in, and found my room. Room number 1: with 6 beds, and a nice window overlooking the Arts Center. I was "home", for now. I parked up my stuff and went out to check out the town.

Christchurch, although a beautiful city, and boombing with people on a Saturday night (more on that later ;) is only so big. And on my first few stints to the city I pretty much covered all of the cool touristy things to do. This time I would have to get creative about my itinerary...

The first day I ended up just wandering around town, checking out the resteraunts scanning out things to do... Hagley park, tram ride, gondola ride, river punting, I also realized that the Festival of Flowers was going on this week-end. Maybe I could find somthing to do. But, what the hell does one do by themselfs for their 20th birthday?! I needed some more ideas as I was determined to have the best birthday ever in NZ!!

Friday came with the hussle and bustle of cars rushing through the city streets, and the creep of sunlight through my tattered curtains. "The preasure's on", I thought. I need to find some friends and fast, otherwise I go to the bar alone... really, the alterntive wasn't horrible, but who wants to take a jagger bomb by yourself?... ok fine, I've done that too, but, not for this occation.
Just as I was pondering if they had some singles convention I could sign up for, or what t-shirt I would plaster "It's My Birthday, But Me A Shot", on, the door opened and a girl came in and dropped her stuff down on an empty bunk beside me.

Nellie, an American for OR, introduced herself and we bagan to hit it off!
Turns out she's leaving on Saturday morning. But would be around Friday night (tonight)! So we decide to go to one of the best bars in town, The Twisted Hop. And then to the Rugby game... Crusaders Vs. Sharks, Exciting!

Neither of us had ever seen a rugby game, let alone have any concept about the rules or foundation for the game. Hell, I knew more about Rugby then what I knew about American Football.... what does that tell you? ;)

(Nellia and Sophie at the Twisted hop...

don't cha just love beer tasting trays 2 for the price of 1?)

So after a few beer tasting trays, a pizza, sweet potato fries, and a few tipsy photos... (above) we set off to find the stadium! The best part of the treck, besides getting lost, was singing journey to the group of people dacing on thier balcony. Of course I took over the opera part ;)

20 bucks and 10 cents later, we found our seats (the cheapest ones... nosebleeds? No! right in front off center to both goaly things) We were so close we could smell the sweat of those powerful rugby gods...

The rugby men out on the field ---->

<--- Nellie and I in our seats at the stadium.






I nonchalantly scan the premises for a few blokes our age who might be interested in buying us drinks after the game.... nothing. Haha, The closest we come to the "cute rugby fanes" were five 17-year-old NZ boys, who came to game only to slander the players and brag about American Football! Lol! They were a riot. And apparently, they thought we were too.


<---- our closest catch to cute rugby guys... the "boys" and I on the feild at the game




After the game ended we went onto the feild (apperently you can do that). So Me, running around like a re-tard (as ushual), and Nellie stragling behind with our left overs from the pub, discovered that one of the Crusader men was signing autographs! AHH! We scrambled around our purses and pockets, screatching "what can he sign, what can he sign?!"

"My boob?"

"No, Nellie!!"

Ah yes, the bar coasters from the Twisted Hop! Wait no, the ticklets from the game!!

We jump into the hudle of people and elbow our way throough little kids and old smelly guys.
I'm so close, I'm standing directly behind him... nice view ;)

"Last two signatures, and then we're done!"
Please, please, pleassssse!!!
But no dough. So close but yet, so far away...

But wait! I have a camera... and the gumption to try one more time...
So I go chasing after him!

(panting down the feild)

"Will you please take your picture with me??"
"I'm sorry, I can't" (he says in his steamy NZ accent)
"But, but.... it's my birthday!" (almost)
"....... fine."

VICTORY!!!

The win from the photo was almost better then the win from the game itself. But of course, I don't admit to Mr. Hulk hottie with his hand around my shoulder that I have NO idea what his name is...
it's not until later that I find his name is Bret Martin. Not only top player for the Crusaders, but also lead man for New Zealands International team, the All Blacks. Eeeeek!

Nellie and I tramp back to town, grabbed another beer and hit the sack. A great night such as that, couldn't be spolied by staying out too late and a nasty hangover the next day.
Plus, tomorrow was my actual birthday, and I needed my energy for that. ;)

And, did I ever.....

NEXT DAY:

Walking on clouds, nothings gonna ruin my parade! Met another girl, an Italian named Laura. We're going out tonight. :) Also, met her friend Tanja... a Swiss fire cracker who also likes Jagger. Ah yes, good good, should be fun! :)

I start my day with an incredibly overpriced breakfast, but hey, I really needed a fried egg and some meat....

Then I decide today would be a perfect day to treat myself to a boat through the river, ride the Tram, and go do the Gonlada ride to see the whole city from the top of a moutain. :) Sweet. Bought my ticket, back to the hostel to grab some things, and there on the step is a boy almost as friendly as I am.

"Hi"

"Hi!"

His name is Stephan, and he's from germany. So off we go to hang out for a bit before my bus. An hour and a half later, he decides he wants to do the gondola too, so then off we go to do that!






<--- Stephan and I standing a top the ride from the gondola



The view form the glass lift was awesome, we stayed up there for a good while walking around and taking pictures. When the excitment subsided we went into Lyttleton to check out the town, then back to the city for lunch. :)


At that point the day drew to a close, as I had scheduled the river punting at 4 and Stephan needed to catch a flight.


I wished Stephan was around to party with that evening, but we had such a great day together anyway!!


I did my river punting, and that was a very relaxing 30 mins. just gliding down the Avon River watching the gardens and the people lounging about in the park.




Have you ever so a Italian and a Swiss sing you happy birthday before?

Haha, well neither did I before that day! It was priceless!

We decided to meet up at 9 to get the party started ;) Laura and I went back to our hostel and waited til we could come back and CeLeBrAtE!








By 10 we had gottan our first 2 jagger bombs and by 10:30 we found our way to SOL Square, where the beer runs like water and the bars are in full swing!












What started as the "trio" ended up with 3 more, Julia a German chef, Olav, Julia's roomate who's from Columbia, and Andi, a German schhol teacher.

Free beer til 11, then a few more jagger bombs.... then dacing on the roof! We stumbled back at 3:30 (in the AM)... stopping only once to sing songs from musiclas in Cathedral Square, (from moulin Rouge, and Chicago!) and finally made it back our our hostel. :)

An incredibly Epic evening for an Epic birthday. This one will not soon be forgottan and the best present of all, is my new, awesome buddies!!