Doctor D. Down Under

Kia Ora! A devoted reader has requested that I allot some time to talking about New Zealand food and language.  New Zealand food is not that different from food in the U.S.A.  (Vegans: don't listen to this). They have excellent beef and lamb, but I haven't found that it is cheaper than that which we buy.   They also sell mutton, but I haven't seen it in the local grocery.   There are sausage rolls and little meat pies that people can pick up from a BP or other cafe for a casual snack, breakfast, or lunch.  I haven't seen any fried Twinkies. In the grocery, one might see "Vegemite" or "Marmite," which I think, may be a UK spread derived from yeast extract, and served on bread or toast.  I haven't been brave enough to try it, but one patient I saw today loves it.  I've seen it described as molasses colored or thick paste, and very salty. In certain restaurants you can do "take away" or take out food, whether Asian, Indian, ...

Haere mai! (Welcome) Have driven down to Wellington, the Capitol of New Zealand,  Nov. 2, 2019.  It is 3 hours south of Taihape, so took a little lunch break halfway.  Gas is about $2.11 NZ dollars per liter (about $5  per gallon), but fortunately, my little blue Ford Focus is fuel efficient. Wellington is nestled up to the ocean, and the most southern city of the North Island, with ferries leaving for the South Island regularly. I did a LOT of walking here, going to the Te Papa Museum, which has New Zealand Art, and a display of the battle of Gallipoli, in which New Zealand fought with the English against the Turks during WWI. There are these huge statues created by WETA Workshop (did figures for "Lord of the Rings," and depict soldiers who fought in the war, or attended the casualties, like this doctor here. Lady Chapel Wellington Anglican Cathedral Walked to the Anglican cathedral, which actually still has services, though many of the church...