In the Beginning. Physio: Week 1

Ah, New Zealand. You are only 8 months and 11 days away.

Might seem like a long time for some people, but when you’ve been dreaming about this day for years, the waiting to departure is peanuts.


My passport came in the mail this week. That was exciting. :) One more necessary document for the VISA application. The passports are different from my last one (which is now 6 years old). There’s a watermark over the page with your picture on it – kind of makes your face a different colour (redder?). Ugh – that dreadful passport photograph.

Oh well.

I wrote an email to the New Zealand High Commission in Ottawa and the NZ Honorary Consul in Toronto with questions about the VISA application process (conflicting information on two separate official documents). Still waiting to hear from them. :(


Physiotherapy began this week. I guess that’s a good thing. It’s the WSIB physio…so not the full physio that I do require for my knees and hips. More like special treatment for my right knee. I think my left knee is jealous.

I am doing 6 weeks of IFC treatments (something like Intermittent Frequency C…). Basically these large suction cups go on or around my knees and suck in and out (basically breathing) and also administer electric pulses. I felt like a science experiment.

My job is to sit and let the machine do its magic. It’s supposed to increase circulation in my joint and help strengthen my quads. I can only go twice a week…as their office runs on an 8am-4pm schedule three times a week (I can’t get off of work at 3pm!!!). So I go Tuesdays at 6.15pm, and Thursdays at 5pm. Thank goodness work has slowed down enough to enable me to attend at least two sessions a week.

So, I get to sit down and just read magazines. There was a moment when my leg suddenly started convulsing on its own…kind of worried me. My inner right quad muscle was really not enjoying the ‘shock’ treatment. Almost a freaky thing to watch. You just have to pray that your leg will calm down enough to not feel any pain. Or ring the magical bell the physiotherapist gives you in case of emergency.

At the end of the session, my right leg felt better than my left one. There is an unusual increase of discomfort in my left knee...and I fear it's my knee's revenge over not paying attention to its need for therapy.

Oh, and I learnt one exercise. I will apparently learn more on Tuesday when I meet my second physiotherapist.

I was also told to avoid stairs as much as possible. Yet, I work on the third floor of an old school sans elevator. Heh, heh.

After the initial 6 weeks, I have no idea what’s in store for me. I’m in the WSIB physio for 12 weeks.


Hopefully this will help strengthen my knees for the journey ahead.

MEC date

Brent and I had a MEC date last night.

I love MEC. I would vouch for that store and their products forever. That store is like a little piece of Heaven on Earth to me. And it's because I'm interested in everything they sell. They cater to the outdoor adventure person -- from backpacking to camping to biking to kayaking to rock climbing and so on.

I get overwhelmed in the store though, so trips to MEC can be discouraging. I have too much on my mind and can't focus on what I need. A sense that I'm not prepared for this trip - or that I won't go with the right things.

Then I stop and think - it's a luxury to be able to afford items that will help with my trip - and that I shouldn't get overwhelmed. But to cut down on my costs once I'm in New Zealand, I need to make sure I have everything ahead of time.

Anyway.

The Spectre jacket was on clearance from 350$ to 220$!!! BUT...they were sold out and there wasn't any left at their distribution centre. MAJOR BUMMER. That's a huge savings on a coat that has now been replaced by 410$ and 435$ versions. OUCH.

That was a hiccup.

Looking at light dayhiking shoes as a third shoe option. One - backpacking boot; Two - backpacking sandal (with boot treads on the bottom); Three - possibly a lighter boot for day hikes sans back pack. Keen had a pair on clearance...but I wasn't sold on the idea. So, I'll probably miss the clearance for those as I ponder the need of a third pair of shoes.

The Gemini. We saw the tent. So...I don't know. A MEC rep was setting up another tent when we asked him if we could trouble him later to help us with the Gemini. About 20mins later, when we returned to the tent section, he had already set up the Gemini for this other couple, so all the work was already done.

So the pros and cons of the Gemini.

PROS: It's pretty lightweight. It packs small - which is good. It has two doors and two vestibules. It is larger than the Tarn 2, because it doesn't tapper at the feet.

CONS: It has two perma windows on the fly, that you can't cover - which is strange. You can't hook a gear loft properly. You can string one across the top, but not necessarily the most ideal way. The vestibules have no footprint. It's still pretty small - like 100% cozy, not very roomy...which is fine I guess.

It's 271$ + 19$ for the footprint (+?$ for the vestibule under tarps) + 3.50$ for a gear loft + repair kit, which would be wise to bring.

I don't think there is another option - as the next best one weighs a full kilogram more (ugh!).

It's stressful to think you have to fit everything into 23kg on your back. How do you distribute that properly without forgetting anything???

Overwhelmed.

What do I need to remember?

There is the prepping for the country - and then there is the prepping for the actual backpacking. It's a full time thought job.

I have to compile all my lists and see what we need.

Maybe next week, we'll visit Tilley Endurables.

Gemini

At a packed weight of 2.3kg, and sitting .4m wider; this tent may have trumped the Tarn 2.

I checked out the Tarn 2 last night at MEC - and was not as impressed by the size as I wanted to be. This tent is like a mummy sleeping bag, it narrows at the feet. Not so good if there is more than one person in the tent. Sleeping pads will be overlapping, and the comfort just won't be there. And, it wasn't as easy to ventilate...which could be problematic for condensation among other things.

A MEC rep talked to me about the other tents in the same category as the Tarn 2, and Mr. Gemini came up. Unfortunately, more costly than the Tarn 2 by almost a hundred dollars. It does save 400g on packed weight and is a lot more spacious than the Tarn 2...simply by illiminating the narrowing at the foot of the tent. An added bonus is that it has two doors, so if there is more than one person in the tent, you aren't climbing over one another. And - two vestibules.

A bummer - the footprint on this tent doesn't cover either of the vestibules. The Wanderer 2, another tent, does have a footprint that extends through one of the two vestibules, but it weighs 3.7kg (no thank you!).

It's a trade off I guess.

Anyway - I'm going to MEC on Sunday to set up the tent with a rep (yay!). After that, I'll know if it's the one for me. :)


On another MEC note - I saw the new Kokanee 2 Gaiters and was very happy to see the change in the strap. The original Kokanee Gaiters were flawed in their under boot strap design...which held me back from purchasing them earlier. Also - they have replacement strap kits - which is an added bonus to bring a spare set in case anything does happen.

Amazing.


Yeah - so the next few blogs on this page will probably be either about my readings or MEC purchasing/shopping.

Probably not the most entertaining part for some readers - but it's like candy for me. :)

Step three: complete

So, the passport application is now in.

Sitting in the passport office - it's like you're playing the lottery. You sit with your ticket, mine being A005, and you watch the screen that displays the last three numbers called and you just wait. One by one, the new numbers flash at the agent's desk, and on the main board for all to see...D656, D657, G901, B303, D658, D659....it starts to look like having an A# isn't where it's at. Then finally, A004. So close.

I got a glimpse at the lettering system this morning. A means simple. So, that's a good thing. I think C said complex. I didn't see B. D was renewal - for the fast track people. The G one, threw us off, cause there was no G button on the machine that gave out tickets. But man, did it ever pay off to be a D. They were called up the most.

I think B was internet application...maybe.


It was just kind of a funny game to play. A lottery. We're only a number.


At the front of the line, we saw this one gentleman get rejected for some reason. He slumped away from the pre-screening counter and grumbled to himself in discontent. My heart went out to him. I was there just yesterday - living with the sting of rejection over something so stupid. I really hope that he solves his problem.

One major score of the day - was amazing and pleasant people. I was so afraid I would have to speak to the guy from yesterday. I really didn't enjoy him. But we were in luck, and got this stellar gentleman who was really fast and excited.

Anyway. Life at the passport office.

At 7.20am, there was already a long line up - and by 7.50am, when they begin the pre-screening, there was a very impressive line up. Apparently there were radio reports that aired yesterday that alerted the passport seeking public, that there is a delay with the mail-in passport system right now...so this might explain the added bodies in the line up this morning.

We're all eager to get out of the country it would seem.


So next on the list, after November 14th, when I should see a registered package from Passport Canada, I tackle the NZ VISA. Oh, yeah, and survival and first aid training...although, I'm finding them to be a tad pricey. We'll see...

I leave in 8 months and 28 days.

Or 272 days. :)

(Thank you www.timeanddate.com)

PS - new purchase last night. Went to MEC with Goose, cause she's trying to find a backpack for her Argentina/Chile trip. I bought a Blurr Docket - on clearance last night. Not the most exciting purchase, but a baby step none the less.

Also, very exciting news, for me at least. The MEC Kokanee Gaiters are on clearance right now; to make way for the NEW Kokanee Gaiters. The new ones apparently feature changes to the buckle under the boot - which has always been the reason I did NOT want to buy the current gaiters. I'm going to check them out on Thursday night. Hooray!

Rejected

From the Passport Office this morning.

You know, I found it funny when I was standing in line with all my completed documents, yet I still felt nervous about being rejected. But there was no good reason for this seemingly irrational thought.

Until I stepped up to the person in charge of verifying my documents. "This person can't sign this form". Huh?, I thought as he pointed to my guarantor's information. "But the rules of the guarantor changed on October 1st, 2007". Verifier: "Yes, but this is the wrong form." Me: "But I picked up this form from Canada Post (which is a government run office, might I remind all those readers out there) two weeks after the new rules were issued." Verifier: "Well, you picked up the wrong one...you need to sign it again."

I didn't enjoy that hiccup this morning.

I went to the woman issuing the tickets to wait in line (there is quite the process at this office), and looked at the three passport applications...adult, child and 'short cut' applications. And opened up an adult one - and sure enough, there is a new form...WHICH WAS NOT AVAILABLE at the Canada Post that I went to.

Don't you think that a new Government form should be replaced at ALL Government offices. Because I have a feeling, I'm not the only one who ran into this problem since the forms have changed.


If I had mailed this application in, I would not have known about this problem for 6 weeks.


Oh my goodness.

Tomorrow, I try again.

2.7kg

I have a 23kg limit to each bag I bring into the country of NZ. I only plan on bringing one bag.

This brings about a challenge.

When you plan on backpacking for an entire year (real backpacking, like 10-20+kms/day, every day), you are very aware of what things weigh.

Cost vs Weight is a big challenge for me at MEC sometimes when I'm shopping. Pay less money for something heavier, or more money to save on weight. And the weight might not look like a lot to many people; 400-800g here, 350g there. But eventually, it all adds up.

Well, spare me 2.7 more kilograms.

UGH.

I was on the DOC website yesterday (love the amount of information on this site), and printed out a list of ALL the huts that the DOC runs/operates through the North and South island (like a thousand of them).

What do I find out. There are some trails that don't have huts (3 day trecks with only campsites), some huts have been shut down/removed due to age and I guess lack of use (??), and others are considered 'problem huts' - like you have to find out what the condition of the hut is before you rely on your ability to sleep in it that night.

There aren't a WHOLE lot - but enough to put me out under the stars quite a bit with the trip I'm planning.

And another thing - on the great walks, you have to book way ahead of time - like I would have to book NOW for next year type thing. Cause when you tramp during their peak seasons, you're competing with everyone, and things are booked very far in advance (ugh).

The last thing I want to do is set time limits...cause that would ruin my trip. I don't like time constraints - and I'd always be worried.

So, instead, I am bitting the bullet, and buying a tent.


I know, I know. The first thing I axed off my purchasing list back in the day. It's a very unfortunate situation, but it might be for the best. I'll still have a backcountry hut pass - and when possible, we'll use the hut system. When all else fails, we pull out the portable home.

A night under the stars is great.

A night under the stars in pouring rain, not so much.

So, that's my story of the day.


And my new humble abode, I shall visit on Sunday. Might possibly be the MEC Tarn 2 Tent. I used to be really up to date with tent information (when I was originally looking into this 4 years ago...man, it's been a while). But this one stands out as the best choice for me right now.

At 182$ + footprint at 24$, it's not terrible. There was another one for about 120$ more, that was about 1.2kg lighter (a big bonus) - but it did not perform well in the rain. And NZ's weather is unpredictable. In the mountains, I could go to bed in mild weather, and wake up in a light snow cover.

At 2.7kgs, this sucker takes 1/10th of my weight limit.

Although I am disappointed with this need, I feel that it will open up more opportunities for tramping (where the huts are no more) and should there be an overwhelming amount of people in one hut, this could be my refuge.

Oh - and on the great walks (where the hut passes are a separate cost, and can get pricey), this will save on overnight costs. Might cost me 3 nights at 7$ tent pitching charge, versus 120$ for a hut pass.

:)


Monday is passport day. Yay.

Then November is Travel Doctor month and VISA question/answer time.

Maybe I should set a shopping goal for November. I would like to buy a tent by end of November...but there really isn't a rush on that one. I'll try to see when tents are going out of stock to try to hit up on clearance sales.

Sweetest words on a Friday afternoon...

Thanks for booking online with Air New Zealand. Your Electronic Ticket, Itinerary & Receipt will be emailed to you shortly.


Sunday, July 27th, 2008. I leave everything I've known for a trip I've been planning on embarking for too many years.

For the next year, I'll be walking New Zealand's beautiful countryside, waking up in the mountains, trudging through swollen rivers, living out of a backpack, living the dream.


Step two: Complete. Ticket in hand.


*breathe sigh of relief*


I think it's starting to sink in for real. I'm getting that butterfly in my stomach feeling. It's really happening, and I couldn't be happier.


My poor father, I always call him before I make big purchases. Thank you for making sure I got the tickets that were right for me dad. :)


I can now officially start a countdown.

9 months 8 days