Another day of walking and exploring. Getting to know Queenstown pretty well, but we saw some other towns nearby as well. Church was actually in a slightly smaller town called Frankton. It was held in a tiny little chapel - the whole room fit about 16 chairs, a pulpit, and keyboard that was not played. Aside from the bishopric and 3 missionaries, there were 3 adults and 2 toddlers in the congregation, and me and my folks. The smallest sacrament meeting I've ever been to! But it was nice. Just one speaker - a member of the bishopric - he spoke on laws and personal revelation. Very good talk. Interesting to hear the gospel being taught so far from my lds-dominated community. But I felt the spirit there and it was very nice.
After church we went to a little town a little ways from Frankton called Arrowtown. It was the absolute most charming, perfect, picturesque town I have ever seen! We all fell instantly in love with this place. An old gold mining town, surrounded by big, beautiful green mountains, right on the Arrow River, it had a Park City feel, but I liked it 100x better. We looked around the museum and shops there and stopped for a drink at a little ice cream stand. It was a warm, sunny day, so we found some shade in the grassy open area nearby. A middle aged couple sitting at a picnic table invited us to sit with them. Rod and Deb - they were kiwis, from Auckland, living in Queenstown now. Nicest people I've ever met. My mom offered to let them come stay with us when they come to Utah to ski some time, and they gave us their contact info in case I come back to Queenstown after my travels on the north island. I will definitely look them up if I come back here.
We headed back to Queenstown because we had to get back and make some final plans for the remainder of my parents' trip. We have been so loose-goosy up until now, it's been a bit hectic, but everything is now booked and set with hostels and excursions. Bungy jumping tomorrow! I'm so excited! And so scared! I can't let myself chicken out. How embarrassing! And they don't give a refund for wusses.. I get short of breath just thinking about it.
After planning and calling places and making all kinds of reservations, we needed a break. Pizza and the lake. We met a guy from Colorado working in the pizza place. He was a big snowboarder/climber, just working to save up money to head to Zambia! All these young world travelers. Another girl working in a gift shop was from Germany, but had lived in England and Spain, and was about to head north to look for work in Auckland. If I wasn't such a chicken...
We spent a while hanging out by the wharf, listening to live music, people watching. Such an interesting place. My kind of place.
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