South Island: Nelson
We'd planned to meet Alan and Cheryl in Motueka, spend
the night, and drive the next morning to the beginning of the Abel Tasman
Coastal Track. On the way, we stopped in Nelson for their Saturday food and
craft market. It was not a disappointment. Judy met carver-sculptor Lin Kilkelly
whose work she admired a great deal. We also found the cups for making pressed
coffed by the cup, which we'd seen on the Milford Track and had been searching
for since. The cups were on an incredible Waitangi Day special sale at Brisco's.
We also walked through the bustling city with its flower-lined
streets and cathedral overlooking the downtown area. While strolling (yes,
it was a "fine" weather day and we wanted to be out), we struck up a casual
conversation with a local fellow who gave us some directions, then asked if
we were "Americans" and if we were going to "get Bush out of office." It was
a sudden and startling question, one we'd never ask in reference to the country
we were in at the time. But it turns out the issue was one the minds of many
we'd met throughout our visit.
