Volcanoes all around: What a blast!

Hi All,

January 2nd, 2011
Grass Crater, City behind
‘G-d bless Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip,’ the Rabbi at Auckland Hebrew Congregation read from his notes on Shabbos. We remember hearing the blessing last year in New Zealand but it still sounds strange. However, as a colonial country, it is the norm. We recall when we were in elementary school, we would sing the anthem of England, asking Hashem to bestow blessings upon the queen. That was pre-1961, before South Africa became a republic and the then ruling class was able to rid itself of the ‘despised English’. We are not ‘doing’ politics here but that was the sentiment. Anyway, the announcement tickled us. Fortunately, we are not that ticklish; we did not roar with laughter during services.
Sunny rainforest
During our travels, many interesting things occur, including coincidences, too. If we were police officers, we would say we don’t believe in coincidences. On Shabbos, one such occurrence transpired. It goes something like this:
In 2008, we visited Honolulu and spent the Shabbos at the Chabad shul. We met an American Rabbi and his wife who were returning from New Zealand, after completing a contract at the Auckland Orthodox Shul. In 2009, we traveled to New Zealand and spent Shabbos at that same Auckland shul. We learned that the rabbi we met in Hawaii had held the pulpit there. Yesterday, we were talking to the rabbi who mentioned that as the shul is without a permanent rabbi, he helps from time to time. We forget his name, which is nearly as difficult to pronounce as a Maori word. Meanwhile, he spent ten years at Emmarentia Shul in Johannesburg, some years in Melbourne, this time in New Zealand but he really is a New Yorker who resides in Israel. Here’s the kicker. The rabbi we met in Hawaii is his son-in-law, obviously married to the daughter. At the time we met the daughter, we thought she was South African because her speech was influenced by her early upbringing in our old country. We’re pleased we are not police officers though, otherwise we would have to see something suspicious in that lot.
Commencing Steep Hike

Mt Eden top--Rangatoto Island behind
Auckland is a big city, in fact, the largest in New Zealand. The outskirts are pretty because of the surrounding water and Waitakere Mountain Range. For the rest, it is just another city in our opinion. On Friday, we walked up Eden Hill, the site of a grass crater, and viewed the town from one of its higher points. We followed up on this after Shabbos with a tough hike in the Waitakere range. The Montana track is trying but a worthwhile physical endeavor. As there was no exposure to the outside world, it amounted to a jungle or rainforest hike. Our editor made one of her first negative utterances about a tramp. We think she has sore muscles, stretched further on the steep climb without achieving the satisfaction of great views and scenery she is accustomed to in New Zealand. Perhaps we will provide her with much needed tender loving care to compensate her. Some compensation!

Resting in our living room
We are a little sad as we prepare for our last excursion in New Zealand. Yes. It is time to leave this not-so-little country and head to its large neighbor. Initially, we look forward to visiting our old-‘young’ friends or should that be young-‘old’ friends, Zilla and Errol Goldschmiedt, near Sydney. Who knows what to expect in Aussieland? However, we will miss this special place.

Cheers,

Jenni and ‘Loving-Jeffrey’

We trust the next volcano will read the warning sign, too.