RWC

So last minute on Friday I got a ticket to the see the ABS play. Travelling with 4 South Island kiwi boys (one of which I had met and the rest randoms) in a brown camper bound for Wales. Oh how excited I was, we did the true kiwi thing which was hilarious - especially driving through the Welsh border with Poi - E blarring through the speakers. We put on our jerseys and headed with confidence to the stadium. Hopped into our seats - which felt llike they were located in the middle of France, with all the French yahhooing that was going on, and got ready to watch the boys take them out. The atmosphere was electric, I sung the athem like there was no tomorrow and screamed so loud I still have no voice.

It was so cool to be there, versions of Pokarekare ana been sung in the corridors and hugging kiwis left right and centre. Awesome. Then after. Carnage. The man in front of me cried...which did bring a few tears to my eyes, as I reassured him it would all be ok. Dear me. We hit the town...lost everyone - one whom we had to collect from the hospital in the morning as he had passed out on the footpath. Real class. Honestly these guys were out of control and been the only girl it was a matter of if ya can't beat em, join em. So I drunk beer and all the rest too. Stayed at a campsite which felt like we were on a summer hol in NZ. Especially waking up to everyone in their NZ outfits, greeting you with a good ole "Kia Ora Bro!" Drove home yesterday, the van felt like we were at a wake.

One of the guys I went with desribes it beautifully in an email to Cara this morning:

"The whole weekend had great narrative arc. I thought I was in a low-budget film from a first time kiwi director. The pathos of the morning after was immense. Bodies were scattered throughout the campsite, slowly coming to consciousness and the dull putrid shock that we were not in a dream. The uplifting sounds of Nature's Best CD in the comby van on the way out: Poi-E and Outlook for Thursday were replaced by Max Merrit and the Meteors - "ohwohoh you're slippin' away from me; and it breaks my heart in two ... but there's nothin' I can do ..." We picked up the last straggler from the trolley bay at the University Hospital, and off we slunk, out of Cardiff, for the very last time, thank God."

And now I am sitting here in my NZ hoodie, taking so much flack from the English at work. Oh well. Four more years. Experience of a lifetime though. The phone bill will be atrotious as I did the de brief with Dad at some ungodly hour. Anyway back to been a lady. Love you guys. See you in three weeks!!! xxxxoooo