Tuesday, 21 Feb.  A significant chunk of the day was touring exhibits regarding New Zealand’s involvement in World War I.  Their participation is considered a signature event in NZ’s evolution into a unique entity (the other key event happened years earlier, when the “All Blacks” rugby team visited England and thoroughly cleaned their clocks.) Two exhibits in two museums, and both were spectacular. One was the finest exhibit/timeline of military action I’d ever seen.  Blended emotion and factual storytelling perfectly.  The other one was a little long on, well, being long.  But both illustrated that the country has a great deal of pride in their participation in world events.  They do have a disproportionate number of  war memorials.

Other parts of the museums were also excellent.  A lot more of First Nation history than I expected.  The settlers and natives seem to have had a much better relationship than ours.  It was all very well done.  It was odd to see history that really only began in the 1830s.  It’s not Rome, Italy.  It’s not Rome, New York either.

I found myself in the “Cuba” district, which is less about Cuba than it is about the university nearby.  Apparently there is a strong push to legalize pot.  (There are an uncommonly large number of barber shops in this town.  I was tempted.)

Since I arrived there had been a lot of Cricket on TV, but suddenly it’s all Rugby.  Seasons change.