Thursday, March 20, 2008

Fall in Christchurch...

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It's so odd for me to think about it being autumn here in New Zealand, especially since we're still in winter in the States. But, Fall is my favorite time of year, so it kind of works out in my favor. It's nice to walk around in the cooler air (not missing the 100 degree heat from Melbourne) and watching the trees change color. The best place to do that, of course, is to go to the Botanical Gardens.

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It was a beautiful day for walking around this HUGE garden. The flowers seemed to be bloomin' all around...

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Even the cactus appeared to be happy (and I'm not a big fan of the cacti...)

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Plus, the river runs around the garden too...

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At one end of the garden is the Canterbury Museum. Lots of Maori history (the people who originally settled this area) and artifacts...

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There was also the Antarctica exhibit that focused on the early days of exploring that "slightly" chilly region (no one enjoys exploring a chilly region).

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Imagine sleeping with 6 other people in that dome...tight quarters. Over time, it was used for storage, then eventually as a bathroom on one of the bases. Yeah...it still has a "not so fresh" smell...

Then there was a "History of Christchurch" area that looked almost like a studio backlot, with building facades...

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And even a few creepy "people" lurking about. Check out the hours for the nurses. They certainly don't have those hours now...

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There were costume displays...

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Even furniture in glass cases (you don't want them to get out!)...

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Confucius was actually here and, although famous for all of his "sayings"....he was remarkably silent the entire time I was visiting...

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Even "Oh, Mighty" herself was here....Isis.

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It was a pretty cool museum and when I headed out the front door, there was a large group of local children in their school uniforms waiting to come inside...

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They looked like the Von Trapp family and I was very disappointed that they didn't burst out into "These Are a Few of My Favorite Things" or "Edelweiss".

I walked past the Coronet Theater, a cool old structure (just like Bea Arthur)...

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It reminded me of the Hogwarts School of Magic...but without the magic....or the kids. Maybe they were all just out at the museum refusing to sing for the tourists. Kids are dumb...

I was getting tired and headed towards the hotel. Of course, I passed this huge glass building...

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It turned out to be the Christchurch Art Gallery. Hmmm...gallery...nap....culture....NAP...wonder if they have any scary baby doll art....

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Baby with shears. What is it about dolls with creepy eyes in almost every art museum? That's always my cue to leave....baby with shears....walk faster....RUN....

I was almost home and passed, yet, ANOTHER museum. Hmmm....more art...NAP...modern art....NAP NAP....maybe more scary babies....oh, okay...let's go see.
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No scary babies, but I thought this piece was funny. Of course, as I was taking the picture in the empty gallery, someone came by and said "You can't take pictures of the art" and I said "Sorry, I'll erase it"...and I did.

Right after I uploaded it to this blog....

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