Arts and Crafts

Christchurch (hereby to be abbreviated as Chch, per the locals) is definitely looking up. Of course, this did involve a change in the weather and the purchase of wool items to cover just about every part of my body. I could be a walking advertisement for the NZ wool industry at this point, but I'm warm so I really don't care.

Chch started looking up yesterday when I discovered a truly awesome NZ brand of merino outdoor wear, called Icebreaker, on sale at a local outdoor store. I had first seen it in Australia, and resolved to check it out when I actually got to NZ. I am now the proud owner of a purple zip-neck sweater, complete with thumb loops (which in my opinion make the whole thing). I also went to the most excellent restaurant for dinner, called Dux de Lux (thanks, Dan). As far as I'm concerned, it's pretty much the perfect place. They only serve vegetarian items and seafood, brew their own beer, and offer live music on-site. Really, what more could you want?

I was actually warm while sleeping last night, and woke up to discover that the weather had changed. The fierce wind and overcast skies had been replaced by bright sun and blue sky. It's still not Australia, but it feels quite pleasant in the sun. I ate breakfast with two locals who gave me tons of travel tips, and then headed to the Arts Center.

If Dux de Lux is the perfect restaurant, then the Arts Center is the perfect shopping venue. The city has converted an old brick and stone college building into artists' studios, galleries, cafes, and an exhibit on Ernst Rutherford, NZ's most famous scientist. On the weekends additional crafts vendors set up booths outside. Let's just say that I did my best to support the local economy. I even bought a small piece of pottery (it was a cat, I couldn't resist), which I will now have to try not to break for the next month.

I also discovered the joys of merino possum, a fiber combining merino wool with possum fur. Unfortunately, you have to kill the possums to make it. However, I do understand that the possum is an introduced species which has no natural predators in NZ and is killing native wildlife and consuming their food sources. New Zealanders hate them more than anything, and have developed this industry as a profitable way to use the possum. I just want to know what happens to all the meat (dog food?).

I now own a hat and scarf made from this wonder fiber. I also own the most excellent pair of convertable gloves/mittens, purchased from the local weaving/spinning co-op. Since my fingers are cold and I'm not yet good enough to make these on my own, I don't feel bad about buying a pair knit by someone else.

Lunch was also unique, purchased from a food truck on-site. This one was Czech and offered big potato pancakes topped with various things. I got mine with cheese and salad, and it was like eating a huge potato latke, with some veggies on top for fun.

I managed to happily spend all day at the Arts Center, with some sun breaks in the courtyard to listen to local music. I ended the day with a quick trip to the Christchurch art gallery to check out their exhibit on contemporary Maori weaving. Many of the items were interpretations of ceremonial capes, woven out of flax and other plant fibers and lavishly decorated with paua shell, bird feathers, and other natural items. The baskets were also quite interesting, ranging from functional to purely decorative.

It's been quite a day. The locals at breakfast assured me that tomorrow would be clear (and I'm holding them to it), which invites a trip up the gondola to a lookout point above the city.