replica of Maori meeting house at Taupo Museum Tena koutou! Which is Maori for hello to 3 or more people, Monday is my day off, so I am catching up with this blog. I am now starting my 3rd week in New Zealand. I have had mixed emotions of terror and awe, homesickness, and delight. Orientation at the clinic was fast and ongoing. The nurses are very competent and helpful, as are the ancillary staff. Patients usually come in by appointment, but walk-ins are not uncommon. We are about an hour from the nearest hospital; usually nurses/physicians manage uncomplicated fractures, wounds, asthma attacks, and stabilize people with chest pain or allergic reactions until the ambulance arrives. The first day I worked here there were at least 4 ambulance calls (also involving 1 asthmatic 2 year old from a neighboring clinic who had to go by helicopter. Weather was so bad the helicopter had to land and allow an ambulance to finish the journ...