May I add something in there Jackie, call it thread diversification if you will
(I keep looking at those pics of yours...its not just that the scenery is great, its the quality of your photos, girl! they are stunning).
NZ has no New York per se, but as with the whole country is a microcosm of this large continent. The City of Phoenix is the fifth largest City in the United States, but in many ways its simply a very large (huge/ginormous) country town when compared with Auckland or Wellington. However, New Zealand has a sophistication that is lacking here. It may be very small by comparison and the smaller population base demands less goods and services but New Zealand is no desolate backwater. I tend to view Phoenix as a backwater in terms of cultural sophistication.
Yesterday a colleague (she does not know that word and would call us 'co workers'
asked me if people in Australia used cars. She knew that they didnt in New Zealand. HUH????? This young woman has just graduated with her MBA. Americans don't need to know what is beyond its shores and many of them have no idea what other countries are like. Also, many people think that New Zealand is in Europe and part of Germany. ?????
So...I think its great that you have posted pictures of your fabulous trip, Jackie..and I think its great that Forgiven can see what its like here.
New Zealand is a great nation and a visually stunning country. Its time New Zealanders took one positive leaf out of America's book - patriotism! Love your country. Guess that one has to stand back and look in from the outside to really appreciate!!!
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