Today I write to you sitting with a busted knee and sore throat, happy as ever. I've been spending my time volunteering in Wanaka, at the Cardrona Alpine Resort. I've been in NZ 8 months and have spent all of it volunteering... my latest project is thoroughly exciting, and consists of helping disabled individuals pursue their love of snow sports. After my first 7 days on the snow, today is my first day of rest (fittingly on the sabbath) ... and I am nursing my knee and throat back to good health.
Sunrise on one side of the mountain; escaping the inversion layer that keeps Wanaka so cold!
Moon-set on the other
I am so happy to be putting my 4WD to use... no chains required! But up and down the mountain every day (Cardrona is 40k away) does make a long day longer. But it's worth it to share in moments like these!
I wish I could do this as a career... it's one of my goals! I'm working under the Adaptive Snow Sports Programme, which is run by Disabled Snow Sports NZ. We assist individuals with physical and mental disabilities (e.g. visual/hearing impairments, Autism, Down's Syndrome, limited mobility) pursue their love of snow sports by fitting them with skis, snowboards, sit-skis (mono-skis, bi-skis), etc. I'm also helping out in the office with administrative work (data entry, securing sponsorships, donations for upcoming events, etc) Yay for winter!!
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