Days 37-39: Porirua to Levin to Palmerston North to Hastings to Palmerston North...

Riding with our First Cycling Buddies!

 

Sunday morning, it was time to hit the road again.  Gabrielle and Martin decided to join us on their bikes for a part of the way.  We didn't expect a couple in their 50's to be difficult to keep up with, but these two were impressively fit and fast, and we were huffing and puffing to keep up with them!  They even helped us along by teaching us about streaming (at least I think that's what it's called!) where they ride right in front and block the wind, making it easier for us!  So, after about an hour or two, we stopped at the dairy, had an ice cream, and then had to say goodbye as they went home and we continued on...  



We continued on towards Levin, where we stayed with a lovely retired British couple named Gill and Johnathon, a little bit outside of Levin.  They let us use their hot tub, which was heaven for us after a day of riding the bikes, and they made a nice roast for dinner!  Dinner was so nice, but the best part was just hearing and sharing stories and laughs...another incredible couch surfing experience!  We also learned about the Time Bank, which you should all join, and I will hopefully join when I have a real home.  You can do work in your community for time instead of money, and then someone can come and do something for you for that time.  What a great concept!  Love it!

 

We got to Palmerston North the next day, just as the rain started pouring down.  Luckily we didn't get that wet, as we arrived in almost perfect timing.  This house that we arrived at was one that we got connected with through Warm Showers, which is basically a Couch Surfing website, but especially for cycists!  So we dropped off our bags and bikes with them, but unfortunately we couldn't stay long, because our new World Vision friends from Wellington came to pick us up and take us to Hastings!



  

Playing the Simulation Game



We were asked to join Chris and Ruth for their leadership days, where they would be encouraging and empowering student leaders from the high schools in the area, to do the 40hour famine in their schools.  They wanted to use us to show the students some examples of leadership in different ways, and also just to help out with whatever we could.  It was a perfect idea for us, because not only did it give us a few days of a break from our bikes, but we could also have a chance to learn more about World Vision, the Global Food Crisis, and to get us more excited about what WV is doing about the GFC!  It was lots of fun, and did exactly what it was meant to do, and we got a chance to get to know two really incredible people, who are totally passionate about what they do, and are making a huge difference in the world!  I have so much respect for what Chris and Ruth are doing.  It's not easy to get kids to be motivated and excited about something that's completly selfless, but they are doing an amazing job!