Wednesday 23 September 2009

The envelope travelling from Bristol, UK to Alaska


Introduction

We have long been intrigued by this idea of the four corners of the world.
To us it conjures up images of far-flung places, intrepid explorers, undiscovered lands.
We decided it would be wonderful to have contact with people living in these four corners, learn about the nature of these places and create an opportunity to marvel at the richness of our shared planet.
Research into the subject failed to deliver any concrete evidence as to where these corners might actually be located.

So we endeavoured to undertake our own research.
In 2006 we held an event asking people to comment on where they believed the four corners of the world to be. This research produced valuable insights.

The research highlighted the enigmatic nature of our planet and that it’s mysteries may and should forever remain undiscovered.
However there were four areas on the planet that were mentioned more frequently than others.
We acknowledge that these represent a very UK-centric view of the globe and that everyone’s opinion of the location of the 4 corners are equally valid. Being stubborn in our quest however, we decided to take these places and for the purposes of this particular project, identify them as the four corners of the world.

They were:

Alaska
Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
New Zealand
Mongolia

We then set about the task in finding people in each of those places who would be happy to join in the next phase of the project.
By contacting the British embassies in each of the four countries we established links with our participants and the next phase could begin;

We posted a parcel on 14th August 2008 to Diddy Hitchins in Alaska.
The parcel contained a note book, 2 disposable cameras, some parcel labels, forwarding on envelopes and some instructions.
The idea was for each participant to contribute to the parcel by adding to the notebook, taking photos, adding items to the parcel and then to send it on to the next participant.
It travelled from Alaska to Argentina to New Zealand to Mongolia.
It arrived safely home (see; Serendipitous arrival!) on the 10. June
It travelled 30,299 miles and took exactly 300 days to complete its journey.

“A symbol of goodwill, linking peoples from the four corners for the world.”
Lilicherie McGregor

This project happened because of the spirit of generosity and endeavour of the participants.
They were
Diddy Hitchins in Anchorage, Alaska
Estela Caipillan Rio Grande, Tierra Del Fuego, Argentina
Lilicherie McGregor, Whangarei New Zealand
Urgaa Dagvadorj, Ulaanbaatar Mongolia

Our very big thank you to them and to those who they encouraged to contribute to the parcel.

They are;
Abi
Agustin
Andrea Dominguez
Bob Davidson
Breeze
Carla
Chino
Dalma
Douglas Karanga
Dustin
Emanuel
Emanuel
Facunde
Juan Pablo
Karina Cardonaz
Mariu Taua
Maxi
Micaela
Mina
Miguel
Moira Aberdeen
Nolia N Lezcamo
Rahuel
Richard Wihongi
Sabrina
Yoni


The parcel contained poems and photos and stories and articles and postcards and newsletters. Some of them are represented in these pages. You will find them by clicking on the labels found to the right.
They all give flavour of what these 4 corners of our planet are like and highlight the diversity of our lands and also those things that connect us.

The parcel has completed its journey and another phase of the project can emerge.
This project now belongs to all of those of you who would like to contribute to these pages.
Do add your comments, be in touch with participants, share your own stories that tell of your corner of the world.
Ideas of how we might take this project further are very welcome.

To contact tinker & bloom please email tinkerandbloom@blueyonder.co.uk

Urgaa's explanation. Photo of box to follow

Sorry Eileen at the post office I was asked to put the parcel in the box

The envelope travelling from Alaska to Argentina


The envelope travelling from New Zealand to Mongolia


The envelope travelling from Argentina to New Zealand


Transcript of the notebook enclosed in the parcel

A journey to the four corners of the world
14. August 2008



The parcel arrived in Anchorage Alaska (62degrees north/149W) at the end of August when I was actually up on the north slope of Alaska- pity I could not take it there to photo with a polar bear!
By the time I had it, it was already September and the weather in Anchorage was terrible- heavy rain, grey and dull. I kept waiting for a sunny day to take photos but there were no sunny days.
So in the end I just went ahead and took photos in the rain- of downtown Anchorage: the HQ of the Alaska railroad, which was associated with the founding Anchorage and the first train.
A totem pole. Two totem poles in front of the federal court House. The statue of captain James cook whose ship visited Anchorage (Where he dropped anchor is where the town developed) in early June of 1778. He looks out over the inlet that was named after him, after his death. He was searching for the North West passage- also seeking out the four corners of the world of earth. There are also photos of the new Denaira Convention Centre and Anchorage museum of the Planet Walk garden. As you can see, Anchorage is a thoroughly modern city; a complete contrast with Kaktouik on the Arctic ocean where I was last week, where indigenous people still practice subsistence in a culture that depends on harvesting the bowhead whale.
The biggest thing that has happened to Alaska since the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, is that our Governor, Sarah Palin, was chosen last Friday, while the parcel was here, to be the running mate of the Republican John MCCain in the US Presidential Election in November 2008.
My contribution to the parcel is a copy of that announcement in the Anchorage Daily News- and I have also included a report “Smart Cars appear on Anchorage streets”- because it is my Smartcar!

Diddy Hitchins, PhD MBE
British Honorary Consul for Alaska
Emeritus Professor Political Science
University of Alaska Anchorage






Hello people! The parcel arrived in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego on October.
We took some photographs of Ushuaia city and added material made by children of Rio Grande City
Enjoy them!

The best for 2009!


KIAORA- GREETINGS from
AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND

The parcel arrived in Whangarei Northland on 01.01.09

A symbol of goodwill for 2009-08-06 Linking peoples from the four cprners of the world.

I have added to the parcel a piece of fabric, black and white, the colours of the “All Blacks” NZ’s rugby team. With words in Maori, map of NZ, native birds, trees, Wharenui (Maori meeting house) and lighthouse at Cape Reinja- farthest northern tip of Aotearoa, where in Maori belief, their sould leave to travel to Tohawaiki
- Mythical homeland in Pacific ocean.

-DVD of Kauri Forset- NZ’s most famous native tree- found in northland.

-Postcards of
- Tuatara-Lizard-whose ancestors go back 200 million years.
- Kiwi-flightless bird, nocturnal
- Kakapo
- Tui- found in many people’s garden it has distinctive song

-Hand woven flax flower, example of Maori traditional weaving.

-Colour copies of photos swimming with dolphins from book made by Wade Doak. Wade lives in Ngunguru close to me and the Poor Knights Islands- famous for their crystal clear blue waters and diving visibility

-our waters also harbour sharks

-Newspaper article on the Maori flag

-Poetry by Hone Tuwhare
+ paintings by Ralph Hotere
Two NZ Maori artists

Ralph lives in Dunedin in the north of NZ and suffered a stroke so can no longer paint and Hone passed away last year.
Together they often made collaborative art- and political comment on their world. “No ordinary sun” is inspired from nuclear explosion.

-An oral history told by Freda Parekaitu Tito at Parihaka.
Te Whiti was a famous prophet who led a protest of passive resistance against the British settling and confiscating Maori land.
3 white feathers is the symbol of peace- from Parihaka- on the west coast of the north island.

-A brochure on the small town of Kawa Kawa- north of Whangarei
- Where Griedrich Hundertwasser made his home for six months of each year.

-Two examples of contemporary Maori art-

- Illustrations for a children’s book of Maori myth- Paikea and the Whale
- The Maori creation myth

-NZ calendar

-photos of
- primary school entrance in the small town of Ngunguru- where the children have their swimming lessons in the sea.

-Map of Aotearoa New Zealand
on which is marked

1st Anchorage of James Cook in 1769 at Gisborne
also a significant Maori settlement
The east coast is the first land to receive the sun each day on our international clock.

-Year 10 class Tikipunga High School
photo’s of students engaged in drama exercises.

+ short stories written by the students – work in progress

kindly given in their unfinished state.

If any students in Mongolia or England would like to send a story to these NZ students that would be cool.
Send to email:
lilicherie@koretheatre.com

Best wishes from Aotearoa NZ



Fourth Corner of the World
Mongolia
Great land of Chinggis Khaan

We received the Parcel on 10th of March 2009 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Since then it has been a long time to send back to you Eileen!
Sorry that it took so long as Ganzo was abroad, and me too, and finally we were waiting for his return from countryside where he took some pictures on video( by the way it was his main job to shooythat video for his TV) and later we cut a piece off from that movie.
Here is what we have included in our package.

CD - Urgaa’s photos (me and my family’s some pictures)
CD – Ganzo’s photo collection about Mongolia
CD - Ganzo’s Video in 2 parts: one is his shoot in the city of Ulaanbaatar (sorry it’s too slow) and another one is his shoot about North part of Mongolia. Here is the beautiful Egiin Eol (River) and its nearby areas : Khantai Range.
2 set of postcards
7 postcards
“Archidal” (Democracy) newspaper in Mongolian Language from 13 May 2009
(There are 2 candidates for the presidential election: Left Mr N. Enkhbayar- president of Mongolia and on the right: Mr Elbegdorj- Former prime minister and the leader of Democratic Party of Mongolia
there is a presidential election here in Mongolia on May 24th 2009
(I will vote for Mr. Elbegdorj. ;-) )
UB Post newsparer- May 19 in English- I suggest you read this- it’s interesting.
“That’s Ulaanbaatar” – visitor’s guide 2008
“Enjoy and love Mongolia” magazine
May 2009-cultural events brochure
Travel Guide book – 2006 (sorry this is quite old-couldn’t find new one)
Nomad’s winter festival calendar
Chinggis Khaan Hotel guide
e-news from Monisame agency


I put them all in a separate plastic bag (zipper bag)
If you need to contact me in future, please keep in touch and phone me on:

XXX-XXXXXXXX or XXX- XXXXXXXX
(my mobile numbers)
I’ll visit London between 25-31 July. So hope I can see you in UK!

Wish you the best in your project!!!
With best regards

Urgaa and Ganzo
From Mongolia

The notebook enclosed inthe parcel


The notebook enclosed in the parcel


The notebook enclosed with the parcel


The notebook enclosed with the parcel


Year 10 Class, Tikipunga High School, New Zealand

Students engaged in their drama class.

Primary school in Ngunguru, New Zealand

Children going to this school have their swimming lessons in the sea.

Photo by Lilicherie, New Zealand


Photo by Lilicherie, New Zealand


Ushuaia, Tierra Del Fuego


Ushuaia, Tierra Del Fuego


Anchorage, Alaska


Statue of Captain James Cook, Anchorage, Alaska

"His ship visited Anchorage (where he dropped Anchor is where the town developed) in early June of 1778. He was searching for the North West Passage-also seeking out the four corners for the world." Diddy

The HQ of the Alaskan Railroad

The Alaskan railroad was associated with the founding of Anchorage and the first train.

Wildflower artistry in Alaska's Brooks Range

The Brooks Range is Alaska's farthest north mountain range, stretching nearly 700 miles across the Arctic.

Diddy pictured here with her smart car, Alaska

The text of this article is also listed here.

An extract from an article in Anchorage Daily News

24.08.08

Included in the parcel by Diddy Hitchins, Anchorage, Alaska.

Smart cars appear on Anchorage streets.
German micro-minis attract lots of attention.
By George Bryson

There isn’t much to a Smart car, which measures four and a half feet shorter than a VW Beetle and could almost hide inside a Hummer.
Nor are there many smart cars in Alaska to talk about. They may be fabulously popular in parking-challenged Europe-where German manufacturer Mercedes Benz sells the little micro-cars at $12,000 apiece- but most Alaskans have probably never seen one.
At least that’s the impression UAA political science professor Diddy Hitchins gets whenever she takes her new Smart For Two convertible out for a spin. The little car is a magnet for gawkers.
“When I’m driving, I have people driving after me,” Hitchins said after one such outing in Anchorage.” I have people waving at me, tooting at me. And when I park, I have half a dozen people come up to speak to m every time.”
That never happened in her old Jeep Cherokee.
In at least one respect, Hitchins isn’t alone. Lots of other Alaskans- now paying the highest price for gasoline in the nation- have lately been downsizing their cars, too, parking their big pickups and SUV’s and opting for something smaller.

Holding its own

Hitchins says she initially grew interested in the Smart car in London, where she and her husband maintain a summer apartment. Apart from its fuel economy (the EPA rates it at 36mpg), low emissions and ease of parking, she was attracted by the fact that it’s the only vehicle that doesn’t have to pay London’s “congestion fee.”
She test drove one and found its interior surprisingly roomy, ay least for two people/. And although it’s short, it’s not low.
“You’re actually sitting higher than in most cars,” Hitchins says, “And you don’t feel fragile, because you have no sense you are in a small car.”
Maybe so, but that was in civilized England. How would the Smart car fare in America, let alone the winters of Alaska? So fare so good, Hitchins says.
She bought hers in Portland, Ore., in May (there are no dealers in Alaska) and immediately tested it on the highways.
“Coming up the freeway to Seattle, I purposely put myself in between these two great big semis… and I didn’t get wind-buffeting at all,” she says. “it sticks to the road. “It’s absolutely firm.”

Dream Parking
And don’t even get her started on how easy it is to park in downtown Anchorage, where she happily slips into spaces where no one else can fit. (The manufacturer’s brochure included pictures of two Smart cars parking bumper to bumper within a single parking space.)
“The nice thing is-when you park in a regular parking space and you centre yourself- there’s almost no chance that other people are going to bang into you,” Hitchins days.
Moreover her Smart car and her husband’s big Jeep Grand Cherokee fir comfortable, bumper to bumper inside the Hitchinses new single-car garage. OK, but that still leaves the test of Alaska’s winter.
Time will tell, Hitchins said.
She’s reassured by knowing Smart cars already have a proven winter track record in Germany and Canada, which get a fair share of snow themselves. All she needs now is for her personalized licence plates to show up u the mail.
What will they say?”TORTUS.”
Partly it’s a celebration of her life-long love of turtles, Hitchins said. And partly a statement about her car.
“It really does feel like you’re in a shell,” She said.
“Like I’m carrying my house on my back.”

An extract from an article in Anchorage Daily News

30. August 2008

Included in the parcel by Diddy Hitchins, Anchorage, Alaska.

Guide likely saved bear attack victim’s life.
By Craig Medred

After a glorious week of watching herds of migrating caribou in the wild mountains of Alaska’s Brooks range, Jo Ann Staples was in her tent packing her bags to head home to Kentucky when a grizzly bear jumped on her back and nearly killed her, Gates of the Arctic National Park superintendent Greg Dudgeon said Friday.

“She’s going to have a long recovery,” Dudgeon said of Staples. But, he added, she probably wouldn’t be alive at all if not for the courage of guide Anne Dellenbaugh from Maine, a graduate of the Harvard Divinity School. A former Zen priest and head of the wilderness guiding business “Her Wild song” (www.herwildsong.com)

The time was 6.30am. She was packing in the light of a headlamp.
“The bear came through the tent,” said Dudgeon,” She had no idea what it was. She described it as ferocious. It came through the tent like a whirlwind.”
The commotion brought Dellenbaugh out of her tent.
She “saw the bear with its head essentially in the tent of Jo Ann, and the tent was in a different place than where it had been staked. She did a brave thing and ran in the direction of the bear.”
The bear dropped the tent containing Staples, stood up on its hind legs to get a better look at Dellenbaugh, then dropped to all fours and approached the guide. Dellenbaugh stood firm. Down on all fours, the bear’s head came up to near her chest.
She was joined by Sandstrum who bought the bear spray.
The sound of the spray going off and the orange cloud it spread across the tundra was enough to send the bear packing, Dudgeon said.
An initial Park Service assessment of the incident concluded there was little the group could have done to avoid the attack.
Attacks on humans in tents are so extraordinarily rare scientists can’t even posit a guess as to what triggers them. Starving bears have on occasion appeared to be going after people as last-ditch prey.

An extract of an article from Anchorage Daily News

30. August 2008

Included in the parcel by Diddy Hitchins, Anchorage, Alaska


Rising food Bills connected to gas prices
By Matt Hawthorne


Haines shoppers are taking a double hit as the cost of food rises along with Alaska shipping charges because of higher fuel prices.
“When you buy a gallon of milk, $2 is freight just to get it here from Seattle,” said local grocer Doug Olerud, who sells a gallon of milk at $5.85.

The fuel surcharge on goods shipped by Alaska Marine Lines has jumped from 16.5 percent in April 2007 to 30 percent in June.
Grocer and café owner Mary Jean Borcik said she’s not only dealing with increased freight costs, but the additional costs of heating the store and fluctuations in the prices of commodities.
“Flour went from $24 per bag to $55 per bag… and the fuel bill at the store is up 60 percent this last year. It’s hard to pass on that bill. I mean where do you out that cost, on the muffins?”
Contributed by Diddy Hitchins, Alaska


Rockhopper Penguin, Patagonia, Argentina


A school project by 6th form students, Rio Grande, Tierra Del Fuego

included in the parcel by Estela Caipillan


We are in year 6F
We are from Rio Grande
Rio grande is a small city in Tiuerra del Fuego
It has got restaurants, supermarkets and parks.


My name is Emanuel. My favourite thing is my football.
My name is Carla. My favourite thing is my digital camera.
My name is Emanuel. My favourite thing is my tennis racket.
My name is Juan Pablo. My favourite thing is my play station 2.
My name is Maxi. My favourite thing is my play station 3.
My name is Micaela. My favourite thing is pink.
My name is Chino. My favourite thing is my computor.
My name is Agustin. My favourite thing is my play station.
My name is Sabrina. My favourite thing is my mobile phone.
My name is Abi. My favourite things are my camera my mobile phone and my TV.
My name is Facunde. My favourite thing is my guitar. It’s cool.
My name is Yoni. My favourite thing is my play station 2. It’s cool.
My name is Rahuel. My favoutite thing is my computor.
My name is Miguel. My favourite thing is my computor.
My name is Dustin. My favourite thing is my new racket. It’s very nice!




My Day by Nolia N Lezcamo

I get up at seven O’clock
I go to school at twenty to eight
I have lunch at half past twelve
I do my homework at half past three
I have dinner at half past nine
I go to bed at twelve O’clock

Naxi's school project, Tierra Del Fuego


An arts project by Karina Cardonaz, Tierra Del Fuego




Sabrina's school project, Tierra Del Fuego


An art project by Andrea Dominguez, Rio Grande, Tierra Del Fuego


Whangarei, New Zealand


Tui, New Zealand


A Maori creation myth

Included in the parcel by Lilicherie McGregor, Whangarei, New Zealand.

The legend of Creation.

Before there was light there was darkness. Still and quiet it lay; a huge void; a vast nothing with potential of all there was to be.
And the great void was profound. A limitless night. And deep in the blackness of that long night rested the creative thought, reaching away into forever, creating the earth and the sky.
Ranginui, the sky father, held Papatuanuku, the Earth Mother, in a close embrace. And there they lay, deep in the darkness of that long, black night.
Many children were born to them. The children lay cramped between their mother and father, deep in the blackness, longing for the freedom to move.
Tangoara, the restless, the discontented, Tangoara, god of the oceans to be, murmured in the darkness. “Let us part our parents.”
There was a long silence. Then, with one voice, all but one brother whispered, “Are, let us part them,”
It was Tawhirimatea who did not speak. Tawhirimatea, the passionate, the caring, Tawhirimatea, god of the winds to be. The he said quietly, “They are our parents. They gave us life. Leave them as they are. Let them be.”
“And what kind of life is this for us!" argued Tangaroa, “with no space to stretch our limbs, no space to explore the unknown? Again I say, let us part them!”
The brothers quarrelled. Bitterly they quarrelled. Alone in his view, Tawhirimatea was defeated.
It was decided that Tangoara should be first to try and separate Ranginui and Papatuanuku.
Impatiently he rose up. He heaved, he pushed, he shoved… and his parents clung tightly to one another, for great was their love. Finally, exhausted, Tangaroa sat down in the darkness.
Tanemahuta, the first-born, the courageous, the strong: Tanemahuta, god of the forests to be, spoke next. “Let me try,” he said.
He lay with his shoulders pressed on his mother, and placed his feet on his father. He pushed, he pressed, he heaved and he struggled… and in the great darkness his parents lay, still bound together.
Tanemahuta the relentless, the tireless, kept pushing. He strained with every ounce of his being. “I can do it. I can do it…. I will do it!” he thought to himself.
And slowly, very slowly, Ranginui was parted from Papatuanuku. Tane kept pushing until his father was away up high.
Ranguinui wept as he looked down upon his beloved wife far below him. His tears formed the rivers, lakes and oceans. And Papatuanuku grieved for her exiled husband. The early morning mists are her silent tears.
And thus did Tanemahuta, the remarkable, the endurer, separate his parents, Ranginui, the sky Father and Papatuanuku, the Earth Mother.
Light flooded into the world and for the first time the brothers looked upon their parents.
Tanemahuta then clothed his grieving parents. He dressed Papatuanuku in tall, stately trees, ferns, flowers and vines.
And Ranginui he dressed in rainbows, clouds, stars the silver moon and the golden sun.
Tawhirimatea was sad, Tawhirimatea was angry. He swirled up and away, away from his brothers, up to join his father in the sky.
And to this day he remains there aloof, for he remembers.

Freda Parekaitu, New Zealand

Freda tells the story listed here of Te Whiti

An oral history from New Zealand

Included in the parcel by Lilicherie McGregor, New Zealand

Greetings to people of Aotearoa, visitors under the wings of our mountain, Taranaki.

Tena Koutou
E nga iwi o te motuy
E oho ake nei
i raro i te parirau o to tatau maunga Taranaki

The story of Te Whiti o Rongomai and Parohaka
As told by Freda Parekaitu Tito,
At her home on the Parihaka pa.


My name is Parekaitu Tito. I was born in 1930 in new Plymouth and came to Parihaka in 1931, when my parents were asked to look after the meeting house here, Raukuar. This meeting house belongs to Te Whiti o Rongomai. My Kuia, who was Te Whiti’s daughter, wanted my parents to come back and help. In the meantime the Raukura burned down. Then it was transferred to T Pae Pae. When they died my sister took over and then it was my turn. I have been looking after the meeting house for fourteen years now.

In the days of my up bringing in Parihaka I learned much about the stories of the place. Our local lore here is based around the stories of the land taken away and how our chiefs T Whiti and Tohu were taken to the South Island to jail because they refused to give up the land.

See, Parihaka was a community of people who had come to settle and listen to the teachings of Tohu Kakahe who was a seer and T Whiti o Rongomai who was the puwhenua- he did the talking. They were prophets chosen to guide the people and thousands settled here to listen to the teachings.

To try and disperse the people, soldiers would destroy the fences and rip up people’s gardens but when they came back the following day the fences would be up and the gardens mended again.

On the day when finally a big group of soldiers came they brought a big gun with them, placed it on this hill over here, T Purepo, and trained it on the marae. They had come here with the intention of shooting all the of the people who settled here. These days people ask me, “Was there a bloodbath?” but no, there wasn’t. I wouldn't be talking to you today.

A man, Taare Waitara, who lived in the house on this hill over here, Te Hiona, had a dream the previous night, before the soldiers arrived. He dreamt of a dog barking and that he got up and wondered what was the matter. He saw the dog run up the hill where a gun was standing and crook its leg. Taare Waitat told the chiefs about this dream and Te Whiti and Tohu told the people to come out of their Whare. The people were told to sit down on the marae and the children were sent off down to the gate and told to play marbles, skipping, anything. They were all young kids at the front, with the bigger ones at the back. When the constabulary arrived and tried to come through the gate to get to Te Purpoo they couldn’t get in because the entry way was filled with children, who were named the Tarkihi children.

Finally the sol soldiers got off their horses and surrounded the marae with their guns at the ready, looking for the slightest movement. Houses were burned to the ground. Then Bryce, the commander, came on the marae to talk to Te Whiti and Tohu but they would not stand up to talk to him and at the end of the day the soldiers took them away.

They were taken to court, where they never said anything, and finally they were taken to jail in Dunedin with a lot of the people from here, who had done with them. A lot of those people died down there.

We run the “eighteens” and “nineteen’s” for Te Whiti and Tohu, to commemorate the meeting days they used to hold here.
People would come in carts from Waikato, Nelson, Wanagnui, all over New Zealand right down to Invercargill. As they travelled, they would stop off at maraes along the way and would be given bags of kumara, potatoes and other food to bring here. Thousands of people would arrive her on the seventeenth of each month and in the old days it took some of them months to travel here.

A lot of people are coming back to live here now. They bring their houses with them and settle on the places that belonged to their ancestors. And if you see anybody wearing the white feather, anywhere in the country, it is because they belong to Parihaka and are members of Te Ati Awa Iwi.


"Te Whiti was a famnous prophet who led a protest of passive resistance against the British settling and confiscating Maori land." (Taken from Lilicherie's notes in the notebook)

Fabric illiustrating symbols of New Zealand

Donated to the parcel by Moira Aberdeen, Whangarei new Zealand

Stories from students at Tikipunga High School Year 10

Included in the parcel by Lilicherie McGregor, Whangarei, New Zealand

“Short stories written by the students – work in progress kindly given in their unfinished state.
If anyone would like to send a story to these NZ students that would be cool.
Send to email: lilicherie@koretheatre.com “, best wishes Lilicherie
(taken from Lilicherie’s notes in the notebook.)



A Journey into the Deep


It was a cool calm silent night. No one was in sight. The moon shone brightly on her forehead; the stars twinkled high above, shimmering in her dozy hazel eyes. Small little bugs flew around her small button nose; the soft breeze flowed though her light wavy hair.

Her rosy cheeks lit up as she wriggled about, drifting away into nothing but the calm dark blue sea. The sea was as calm as the sky; the light reflecting on the water was remarkable as she had not seen such a sigh before.

She was joined by the presence of fear, having no idea what was happening, drifting far away from the sight of man. Light splashes of small fish were flapping around the lost raft she was in. Sounds echoing from afar, sounding like they were coming closer and closer by the second.

The adrenaline within her piled up as the creature making the sound appeared. It was not human it was not a boat. It was something she had never seen before. Her hazel eyes became enhanced as the shape came closer to her.

She was shocked by what she saw.

She reached her hand out to touch this creature. The skin felt slimy and scaly; she slowly moved her hand higher towards the head. Its eyes were big and bold. She slowly took her hand away and the creature slowly darted off into the sea.

By Mariu Taua. J



The crowded and energy driven crowd all cheered in the blazing inferno released from the golden and blinding sun.
They all prepared for what was to be an event that would surely be heard throughout the ages and would be considered to be a gathering of pure divinity and an enlightening experience.

Upon the arrival of the deities, which personified pure rock, the roar of the crow shot through very crevice and every hole, shattering through every dimension known to man. It shook the heavens, awoken all the gods of Valhalla and echoed around the winds of Mt. Olympus.

As their eyes shimmered amongst the awe of the crowd, they prepared themselves for what is to become the most historical part of everyone’s life.
As they were announced all the members inspected their instruments before walking in to the blinding spotlight of fame and fortune.
They started off with a bang guided by the audience and their way cry of pleasure, but something was completely wrong, a small numbingly and catastrophic mistake which could bring them all to a sure and impending doom.

It was as if Loki had committed his trickery or as if Satan had their souls in possession, for the group was in control of the unknown sorcery of pure evil, corruption and insanity.
The unearthly riffs were piercing through the eardrums of every human sending them into a world-wide-scale riot of pure bloodlust and hypnotism.

The was drums pounded with every beat shaking the earth to its very breaking point almost leading to the ultimate destruction of mankind and every living thing on the planet. The vibrations given off from the Bass broke the continents into pieces and made islands crumble into the deep abyss for all the evil deities and every nightmare you could think of on a feeding frenzy of souls.

The shattering whirlwind of screams swept across the universe at the speed of unknown limits and disrupted the space continuum itself. But as they were combining their efforts they were consumed by an unknown force.

As they shot through the fiery depths of the underworld and through the abyss of unimaginable horror, they were consulted by the higher order of control, which was immeasurable beyond belief.
They were given a privilege, which was too immense to handle for any man. They were considered The Supreme Creators and The Devouring entities but were beyond the control of the higher order and were sentenced to a near eternity of confinement.

TO BE CONTINUED

By Douglas Karanga
NZ Rules.





Is it a very hot day! Eddie bunked second period and went to the shops to get him a drink. As he was walking back to school he looked to his corner of his eye and saw that a pig was pulling up next to him. He hesitated, looked away and ran for his life…As he ran and jumped over the nearest wooden fence he saw. He heard a faint voice saying, “Oi you get back here.” Eddie ran through a big mud puddle getting his new black and white Nike’s dirty. When he couldn’t hear sounds he stopped to take a breath. He had stopped by a bush where no one could see him so he got out his pipe and smoked some marijuana. He said it is his stress relief.


By Breeze.





The life of Miley and Jake.

One day in the big city Miley and Jake were at their home. Their home was a cardboard box big enough for two. All of a sudden it started to rain. They pulled their cardboard box under a porch by a building. $20 floated passed in a puddle. It was about to go down a drain but Jake just got it. So Miley and Jake went to the lottery shop and brought them a big Wednesday ticket. The next day they found out they won while looking through a house window. They were so excited that when they took the ticket in no one believed them, everyone thought they had stole the ticket but then the lady who had sold the ticket to them walked in and told everyone that she was the one who sold the ticket to them. So everything that they had won from the big Wednesday ticket was eventually sold to them. They had won a boat, a 4WD ranger and Audi sports car. That had also won a batch, 2 million dollars and a platinum card with $250,000 dollars in it. They wanted to be generous so they donated to SPCA for giving them the cardboard box when they had nothing. So they had donated 1,000,000 to help the animals get better homes for the animals. All the news reporters started to surround them and asking them questions about their generous donation. Later that week they decided that they wanted to travel the world.


The End

By Richard Wihongi




The girl that was in trouble.


The night was bitterly cold. The only light came from the distant windows of the town in the valley. A soft unpleasant yellow glow illuminating the smoke from a hundred fires. Jacob drew his thin nylon parker around him and shivered. From where he stood on top of the hill he could see her house. She was home alone. As Jacob tried to call her he heard no response so he leaped off the hill. And ran into the yellow light close to the valley. There was the girl laying in the dust as the cold breeze touching her warm nose. As she wept he rushed over and picked her up and took her into her house Jacob tried to wake her up she got up and said to Jacob - who are you - Jacob replies - my name is Jacob. I was standing on the hill outside my house and all I could see was you laying on the ground so I rushed over to help you cos I thought you were in trouble so what is your name?- The girl replies – My name is Kylie and I was not in trouble I just wanted to sleep under the shining stars cos every night I just sit outside on the grass and look at the stars till my parents get home - Jacob waited with Kylie till her parents came home from work. Kylie introduced Jacob to her parents then Jacob went home. So him and Kylie always watch the stars every night. So that’s the end of the story.


Mina

Hand woven flax flower

Example of Maori traditional weaving. Donated by Bob Davidson

Poems by Hone Tuwhare, New Zealand

Included in the parcel by Lilicherie McGregor from New Zealand.


No Ordinary Sun


Tree let your arms fall:
raise them not sharply in supplication
to the bright enhaloed cloud.
Let your arms lack toughness and
resilience for this is no mere axe
to blunt nor fire to smother

Your sap shall not rise again
to the moon’s pull.
No more incline a deferential head
to the wind’s talk, or stir
to the tickle of coursing rain

Your former shagginess shall not be
ereathed with the delightful flight
of birds nor shield
nor cool the ardour of unheeding
lovers from the monstrous sun

Tree let your naked arms fall
nor extend vain entreaties to the radiant ball.
This is no gallant monsoon’s flash,
no dashing trade wind’s blast.
The fading green of your magic
emanations shall not make pure again
these polluted skies… for this
is no ordinary sun.

O tree
in the shadowless mountains
the white plains and
the drab sea floor
your end at last is written


Hone Tuwhare



Rain

I can hear you
making small holes
in the silence
rain

If I were deaf
the pores of my skin
would open to you
and shut

And I
should know you
by the lick of you
if I were blind

The something
special smell of you
when the sun cakes
the ground

The steady
drum-roll sound
you make
when the wind drops

But if I
should not hear
smell or feel or see
you

You would still
define me
disperse me
wash over me
rain



Hone Tuwhare

An article from New Zealand about Migrating birds

Inlcuded in the parcel by lilicherie McGregor

Godwits facing perilous journey


The godwits are about to head back to Alaska, amid fears food supplies along their journey may be dwindling.
Adult godwits make the annual 22,000km round trip between Alaska for the Northern hemisphere summer and New Zealand for the Southern Hemisphere summer.
Godwits are long-legged, long billed wading birds.

Christchurch City Council ranger Andrew Crossland said their numbers had been declining for the past two decades.
He said that this was likely due to many of them perishing on the way home because of loss of feeding grounds in Asia.

“Loss of feeding habitat means building up fat reserves fro the final leg of the migration is becoming increasingly difficult.

“This makes our treatment of godwits in New Zealand even more important, as it is crucial they need to set out on their return in peak condition.”

The council said Christchurch had adopted the birds as “harbingers of spring” with the cathedral bells heralding their arrival.

Tuatara, New Zealand

Tuatara are the only living relic of Rhynchocephalia which lived some 200 million years ago.

Night time in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia


Extracts from "That's Ulaanbaatar"

Included in the parcel by Urgaa Dagvadorj, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

History of Ulaanbaatar

Ulaanbaatar, the modern Mongolian capital, is a city with a history of over 250 years. Located in the central region on the banks of the River Tuul, Mongolia’s capital was not always in Ulaanbaatar; not until 1778 was it moved to its present site. However, long before becoming the capital, Ulaanbaatar was the centre of Buddhism in Mongolia- from 1639, in fact- and the present-day city reflects a mixture of ancient traditions, from Buddhist rituals to contemporary trade and commerce. Now it is the undisputed, economic and cultural centre of Mongolia. The first capital of the Mongolian Empire was called Urguu (Palace), and it was situated some 420km from Ulaanbaatar, in present-day Arkanhai Aimag at the Da Khuree Monastery, home to Zanabazar, who had been proclaimed the head of Buddhism in Mongolia. It was in 1778m that a settlement, named the City of Felt, was first built on the site which is now Ulaanbaatar Later it became known as the Great Camp and was ruled by the Bogd Khaan. When Mongolia gained independence from China in 1911, the city became the capital of outer Mongolia. It was invaded in 1918, again by China, and then three years later by the Russians. In 1924, the city was named Ulaanbaatar (Red Hero) and declared the official capital of Mongolia. 1933, Ulaanbaatar became an autonomous region, rather than being under the jurisdiction of Toc Aimag.
Ulaanbaatar formally identified its one-millionth citizen on 8 May 2007 at a welcoming ceremony at the city cultural centre. When Ulaanbaatar was called Orgoo it had a population of only 30,000 but now in terms of population, Ulaanbaatar is the 107th city in the world and the 17th in Asia. According to present estimates, Mongolia will have a population of three million by 2015.


The National Psyche

The freedom to move about with their herds, the timelessness of the land and the delicate relationship with the earth and its resource have all had effect on the Mongolian character. These persuasions have made Mongolians humble, adaptable, unfettered by straight protocol, good humoured and uncannily stoic, causing visitors to wonder if these are the same people that for centuries were vilified in the West as a “Scourge of God”
The Mongolian Ger plays a vital role in shaping both the Mongolian character and family life. Its small confines compels families to interact with one another, to share everything and to work together, tightening relationships between relatives it promotes patience. Makes inhibitions fade away and prevents privacy. It also hardens the sensibilities; Ger dwellers must fetch their own water and fuel, difficult tasks in dead winter.
The weather and the seasons also plays a significant role in shaping the Mongolian character. Spring in particular is a crucial time for Mongolians. Because the country’s rainy season comes towards the end of summer, spring is dry, dusty and unforgiving.Through countless centuries of change in Mongolia, one thing has remained relatively constant: the basic nomadic and pastoralist way of life. Over generations a civilisation developed with its own unique characteristics, many influenced by the extreme climate and the need for mobility to take advantage of fresh pastures through the year. Underlying all pastorlist groups is a string Mongolian culture, but within that frame people have developed different lifestyles reflecting the environment in which they live and work.

Mongolia's independent English newspaper


Greetings from Mongolia


State department store, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia


Mongolian national costume


Uran Dosh Mountain, Mongolia


A Mongolian daily newspaper


Urgaa's husband


Extracts from "That's Ulaanbaatar"

Included in the parcel by Urgaa Dagvadorj, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Events

Sandbaggers Gobi challenge
10-18 July 2008
Umnu gobi aimag, Khongoriin am

Since the inaugural Gobi challenge in August 2003 the event has grown steadily, gaining a truly international feel, and in 2007 will feature participants and teams from as far away as Australia, Wales, Mongolia, England, Ireland and Scotland. Participants will cross mountains, gorges, desert plains and massive sand dunes, sleeping each night under the starts and becoming totally absorbed into the true wilderness of the Gobi. It’s a tough race but a truly spectacular one which can easily claim to be among the most adventurous on earth.

www.gobitours.com


Mongolian Horses
15 August 2008
Tuv province, 114km from Ulaanbaatar

This event will introduce you to a typical day in the life of a herder, show you the methods and technology of preparing “airag”/fermented mare’s milk/, a traditional dairy product, demonstrate the pride, power and strength of a horseman in breaking a wild horse for riding. You will also be taught how
-to catch a lasso-pole on foot in order to catch a horse;
-to catch one horse using another, trained for that purpose;
-to catch a horse by thrusting out a lasso-pole;
-to snatch a lasso-pole paying on the ground;
-to saddle and bridle an unbroken horse;
-to shoot with a bow and arrow

www.mongoliansecrethistory.mn

Urgaa


Exracts from e-news from Montsame (Government Agency)

about the current social and political events in Mongolia.
20 May 2009

included in the parcel by Urgaa Dagvadorj, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia


Ulaanbaatar, /MONTSAME/ On Tuesday, DP’s candidate for presidential election Ts. Elbegdorj left Omnogobi aimga for Bulgan province’s Khishig-Ond or soum. Having barnstormed there, he went to Orkhon soum.
Tuesday afternoon, Ts. Elbegdorj arrived in a centre of Bulgan aimga. There he nmet with the youths, visited a trade centre to receive opinions of ordinary people and businessmen. At a meeting with locals he told about his electoral program. The voters were interested in rumours about Ts. Elbegdorj and possibility of solving a problem facing the aimag’s farming sector.
The same day, Ts. Elbegdorj continued the campaign in Erdenet city, Orkhon aimag.
B. Khuder
17.30


CITY’S ELECTION COMMITTEE REPORTS
Ulaanbaatar, /MONTSAME/ According to the city’s election committee, over 2,500 people are working in 162 polling districts in Ulaanbaatar city. Preparatory works for presidential election to be held May 24t have been provided in principle. As of May 18, ballot papers distribution was fulfilled at 70 percent.
Since May 16, migratory movement in any direction have been banned until May25.
Moreover, it is prohibited to sell alcoholic beverages on the voting day. This ordinance applies to all bars and other places catering alcoholic beverages as well. Public and art activities are banned too.
Ya Indra
15.52


STATE FLAG DAY ESTABLISHMENT DISCUSSED
Ulaanbaatar, MONTSAME/. The parliamentary Standing Committee on State Structure has approved the discussion of draft amendments to the law on holidays and remarkable days.
The draft proposes to mark the day of state flag on July1o every year. It means that all organizations and citizens would pay respect to the State Flag of Mongolia.
Ya Indra
14.48

NINE-METER HEIGHT BOOT CREATED
Ulaanbaatar, MONTSAME/ At the initiative of Jenco company, a nine-meter in height traditional Mongolian boot has been created. Sole of this boot is six meters long.
It has bot been decided yet where to locate the boot. The company authorities want it to be recorded in the Guiness book.
S Batayar
17.19

IT MIGHT BE INTERESTING
Ulaanbaatar,/MONTSAME/ From foreign press.

6. In Asia, the digit 4 never appears in any Nokia hand set model number, because 4 is considered unlucky in many parts of Southeast.East Asia.
10. the name of the town of Nokia originated from the river which flowed through the town. The river itself, Nokianvirta, was named after the old Finnish word originally meaning sable, later pine marten. A species of this small, black-furred predatory animal was once found in the region, but it is now extinct.

An article from The UB Post

Mongolia’s independent English News
19.05.09
Included in the parcel by Urgaa Dagvadorj

Mongolian Camel Milk- Rich in Vitamins
By B. Narandelger

Mongolian camels are more special than other animals. The mare’s milk of Mongolian camels is deferent because of its natural environment.
In other words, the camel is ill less often because it has become accustomed to living in harsh conditions. So, its mares pass on the energy and vitamins to their young through their milk. For example: People living in the mountainous area take their vitamins from many kinds of plants but people living in the desert area take their vitamins from just camels. It shows the camel’s importance because people can take all their vitamins from one source.
Mongolian’s have been using mare’s milk for many things from ancient times until now.
However, they usually use it for medicinal treatments. Mare’s milk is almost the same as mother’s milk regarding cholesterol for protein. So it is really convenient in the production of milk fodder for women and babies and it prevents heart disease.
It can diminish edema because mare’s milk is rich in Calcium and Sodium.
According to the advice of scholars, people should use Khoomog (think sour mils of camel) instead of other sources of vitamin C because Khoomog has such an abundance of the vitamin. Some victims exposed to the radiation from the Chernobyl nuclear reactor disaster in the 1980’s were able to effectively treat radiation sickness with mare’s milk because of its high concentration of vitamins as well.
It is also believed to be an effective moisturizer when applied to human skin and is in fact used as key ingredient in many inexpensive commercial skin moisturizers produced in Mongolia. Professor of Mongolian University of Science and Technology Ts. Batsukh has been researching camels and mare’s milk for as many as 20 years.
According to her, it is possible that mare’s milk alone also can provide us with enough Calcium for our diet.
Humans require 80mg of calcium a day. Over a hundred years ago, Russian scholar I.I Mechnikov determined that mare’s milk could even fight against the process of aging. In addition, mare’s milk is rich in vitamins A, D, K ands E.

A picture taken by Urgaa of her family


An extract of an article from the UB POST

Mongolia’s independent English News
19.05.09
Included in the parcel by Urgaa Dagvadorj

Following the Great Silk Road

The Great Silk Road expedition led by Russian traveller Fyodor Konyukhov, that will travel more than 7,000 kilometres from Mongolia to Elista, Kalmykia, started last week in Ulaanbaatar. Russia Today (RT) caught up with Fyodor Konyukhov ahead of the seven-month journey

Could you tell us a couple of words about the upcoming expdition? What are your tasks and goals for the Great Silk Road?

The Silk Road expedition will take place along its most northern route for the first time in 300 years. It will traditionally start in Mongolia, in Harim, the ancient place found by Genghis Khan where the trade routes between the West and East used to run. We will travel on animals only. We have 12 Mongol, tw0-humped camels and 15 Mongol horses. We have nine Mongol participants and six Russian participants from Kalmykia mostly.
We will be travelling for seven months and we’ll cover 6,500 or even 7,000 kilometres. Camels and horses used to cover 25 kilometres per day along the Silk Road in the ancient times. They used to make the caravansary as well. But we will be covering 35 or 40 kilometres per day, as they will not carry heavy cargos. Our participants will ride horses; and camels will carry out cargos up to 70 or 100 kilograms, which is not heavy for them, and if we ride camels we’ll put cargos on horses. Each participant will use two animals

I really enjoy travelling to Mongolia. They have a tradition of serving Kumis to their guests, just like tea in Russia. This is a very welcoming and civilized country. I’ve visited more than 120 countries and I’ve lived in many countries. Civilization doesn’t mean living in luxurious house or wearing nice clothes or driving a large car. Civilization is in the people’s mentality. In this sense the Mongols are even more advanced than us, the Europeans. Perhaps their houses and roads are not so good but their mentality is civilized. Today when I travel to Mongolia I can stay in a yurt or on the steppe. We don’t have security guards and we are not afraid of anyone; we don’t have weapons and we welcome visitors. When I travelled for hundreds of kilometres, I felt safe, and people were friendly and smiling everywhere. This is what I call civilization and this is what I like about Mongolia.