Report 1
(3/3/2004)

Report 2
(3/4/2004)

Report 3
(3/5/2004)

Report 4
(3/8/2004)

Report 5
(3/9/2004)

Report 6
(3/12/2004)

Report 7
(3/16/2004)

Report 8
(3/17/2004)

Report 9
(4/1/2004)

Final Report
(4/12/2004)

Gary's Report
(5/29/2004)

Report 1
(3/3/2004)

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EDITOR'S COMMENT:

If you could go anywhere in the world today, where would you go? Egypt? Israel? India? China? Italy? Greece? Peru?

Personally, I would pick New Zealand. Yes, part of the allure comes from all the gorgeous movies and television shows that have been filmed there, but there is also something about a place that is set a part from the rest of the world. A place still wild with nature and relatively new to humans.

I've felt so drawn to New Zealand of late, that I started making plans to visit early next year.

And then I heard from Bonnie Willow, a long time member/reader/fan of NHNE. A couple of weeks before she was due to set sail for New Zealand, she wrote and asked if there was anything she could do for me and/or NHNE while she was in Zealand.

I wrote back immediately: "How about sending in reports of your adventure that I can share with everyone on the News List?"

Bonnie agreed.

I hope you enjoy hearing about Bonnie's adventure as much as I have...

--- David Sunfellow

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BONNIE WILLOW IN NEW ZEALAND: PART 1
A Report from Bonnie Willow
On the road in New Zealand
Reporting for NHNE
February 23, 2004

We head for the airport at 4:00 AM, to begin 24 hours of flying to the opposite side of the planet. Along with my husband Gary and our friend Gary, I am about to spend two weeks in lush, gorgeous New Zealand.

I confess that I've been swept off my feet by the images of New Zealand that I've seen in recent movies. Primeval forests, pristine beaches, sparse population, mountainous miles (oops, kilometers) of breathtaking vistas delight me. Could any English-speaking country truly be this idyllic? My cousin reminisces about her childhood in New Zealand. She remembers sitting on a hillside watching fairies flit through the forest on the opposite hill. Now she wonders what she had seen, but back then she knew they were fairies.

I want to feel for myself the sensation of being in a country with deep environmental awareness. What is their secret to maintaining a nationwide sense of Earth stewardship? The indigenous Maori culture certainly helps in that regard. Sometimes our society's frantic pace wears down my optimism and energy. I fantasize about resting in an oasis like New Zealand amid fellow tree-huggers. The Kiwis, as they proudly refer to themselves, have earned my respect by making immigration so difficult. They are right to protect their treasures from marauders. If only that didn't exclude me as well!

The Garys and I settle for a sixteen day adventure. We plan to first attend a conference on Permaculture (a term relatively new in America) -- Earth friendly systems and technologies and sustainable living practices. The Eco Show takes place just outside Auckland, and features one of the founders of Permaculture, David Holmgren, as a teacher. My Gary is most excited about this. The few days following the conference are for free exploration of the North Island: swimming, sailing, surfing, hiking. The other Gary is most excited about this. Our final nine days will be spent joining friends at the beach for an informal gathering of light workers and healers from both continents. I am most excited about this.

In truth, we are all three looking to shake up our routines. We've discussed feeling caught up in cynical frustration over aspects of our jobs, politics and society that we dislike. Each of us has hopes that by immersing ourselves in the wilds of nature on a South Seas island, we will come away cleaner and clearer-headed. Maybe we will return home with a wiser appreciation of our Lives. Maybe with a roadmap for change. Or maybe being down under will turn us inside out in ways that are utterly unforeseeable. I personally hope for all three outcomes.

Love to you and all,
Bonnie Willow
< willowstar5@yahoo.com>

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