By mtumasz
Kia Ora!
So my friends and I went to a quaint little beach town last weekend in New Zealand. In this place called Tauranga, we had made our plans to do some hiking, some chilling by the beach, and visiting some waterfalls. While we were there, we got an added bonus. The weekend we were there, there was a town festival going on!
One day, we stumbled upon a farmers market that was filled with yummy local foods. Plus, there were tons of free samples, which was our favorite part. Farmers markets in the states are fun, but this one had different local foods that you wouldn't really find at a typical market in America. Quiches, unique meat pies, and locally-grown dried fruit, just to name a few. It was a great way to kill a couple hours and take in the local products.
That night, some locals told us of a fireworks show that was going on. So we walked down to the beach and watched fireworks over the beach.
Also, the local art gallery was offering free admission that weekend in honor of the festival. So my friends and I popped in there and were able to see some really cool paintings and sculptures from a couple New Zealand artists. Definitely different from American artwork, but still cool, nonetheless.
We had no expectations for this festival, but it turned out to be awesome. Everything was free; live entertainment, food samples, and fireworks, it was a great weekend.
So, key point from this post, definitely check out local activities if you happen to be around. It could be hit or miss, but it's a great way to experience local culture and learning about the surrounding area. Check the local paper to see what's going on. Also check your university to see if there are any free shows or events going on then.
Hope everyone has a great week!
Merideth