Timaru, Mozart, and Salsa Dancing

Since my first week of being in New Zealand, I've been in the Cantores Choir. It's a small choir affiliated with the Otago University Students' Association. We usually meet once a week (Thursday from 5:30-7:30) and have a wonderful time.

A few weeks ago, Greg, the instructor, broke the news that we'd be travelling to Timaru for a concert. The concert would feature the second half of Handel's Messiah, as well as Mozart's Coronation Mass. It was roughly 16 songs to learn within just a couple of weeks. It was a bit of a shocker, to say the least. We survived, though, so that's all that matters. Also, we performed with a big-time cathedral choir from Christchurch for all the concerts. That was helpful.

We were originally supposed to have 4 concerts this weekend, but Greg cancelled the 4th as he felt it would be too hectic (and yes, crazy) to squeeze in 4 performances.

Out of the 40 or so people in choir, only a little less than 14 were able to make it up to Timaru for the first concert on Thursday. We left at around 2PM on Friday. Timaru is about 200km away (a little more than 120 miles) and it took just about 2 and a half hours to get there. The drive was very nice. Relaxing. Peaceful. We had a rehearsal with the Christchurch choir and the orchestra at 5. The concert started at 8 and it went all right. It was probably obvious that most of us were pretty much sight reading, but it still sounded good. That's the most important thing.

After the performance, we headed over to our motel to hang out and socialize for a while. Only 7 of the 14 were staying over at the motel as the other half had to drive back that evening because they had obligations early in the morning. After everyone left near midnight, we hung out in the room and talked and laughed till just about 3 in the morning. It was very fun.

We left Timaru at around 8AM Saturday and got back to Dunedin near 12. Had to hurry up and shower and get ready for our rehearsal at 1:30. That concert started at 3 and went a little better than the performance on Friday. After the concert, we joined the Christchurch choir at the hotel they were staying at for a few drinks at the hotel's bar. It was a good time. Most of the people in the Chrischurch choir were at least 40 and over. Some of them were getting a bit drunk and it was the funniest thing.

Went home and changed into something nice and went over to Damian's house (he's also in choir) with a few other choir folks. Damian's older sister (who also sings with the choir occasionally) had her 40th birthday party Saturday night at her house in Brighton and everyone in the choir was invited. We had a bit of fun at Damian's house before heading over to Brighton. Had some dinner, a few drinks, and played Abba Sing Star on Playstation. What a fun game. I only know 2 Abba songs (Dancing Queen and Mamma Mia, of course), but it was good times. The kiwis have taken to calling me Hawaii 5-0, after realizing I'm from Hawaii, of course. It's become my nickname, I guess you could say. I've also been conscious of the way kiwis sound when they say my name; it sounds like: Crus-toyna. I can't help but laugh about it whenever I hear them say it.

Aussie Peter (the designated driver) drove us over to Brighton at around 11. There were so many people there. The music was loud and upbeat, and everyone was dancing salsa on the dance floor (the birthday girl - Simone - used to be a professional dancer). It was a great time. One of the Peters from choir (there are about 3 or 4 Peters in our choir) taught me a few of the basic steps for salsa and we danced for a while, which was very entertaining. I also danced with Dom (also from choir) for a little bit too, and that was also fun. We didn't leave the party until around 3 in the morning (and it was still going on and on after we left). Aussie Peter dropped us all off and I didn't get to bed until about 3:30. Had to wake up at 8:30 that morning for the final choir performance. It was not so good for me. I was way too tired.

All in all, I had an epic weekend. It was exciting, busy, and a little hectic, but so much fun. I got to know a few of my choir mates really well, and even made a couple of new friends. It makes me excited that I'm finally starting to meet a lot more people and starting to hang out with people other than my flatmates and Americans. Not that there's anything wrong with my flatmates or the Americans I've met - it's just nice to open up and venture out of my comfort zone.

I am falling in love with New Zealand. I can tell it's going to be painful to leave in June.