New Zealand is great, and Wellington is a wonderful city. I've even seen a little Maori before in the museum and recognized the style even if I don't know the words. But. I have no idea what I just read.
This excerpt from the publisher's site might help, though I didn't take away the same meaning personally:
> Going Bush
> Kirsty Gunn
> Kirsty Gunn meditates upon her childhood in New Zealand, revisiting in writing the landscapes she once explored through sight, sound and touch. Struggling with the stifling norms of colonial society, the young girl becomes fascinated by ‘the bush’ – that fringe of sodden, savage vegetation bordering the town’s tidy gardens and parks. Both threatening and irresistible, the bush becomes a powerful metaphor for the wild, with all its contradictions: marginalised but intrinsic, feared but desired. Interweaving essay, memoir and narrative, Gunn explores the influence of this disquieting presence on her early life and how it was able to provide her sustenance during the painful years of growing up.
I just happen to be on vacation (sorry, "on holiday") in NZ right now, and I just did an 8km hike or so on Urupukapuka Island, barefoot. And I found it amusing that the only thing I encountered that was the least bit painful was when walking on a manicured patch of lawn at my pickup spot - something growing under the grass was kind of stabby.
The lack of snakes and relative lack of nasty spiders did factor in to my decision to go barefoot, fwiw.
Somewhat off topic to the article, but if you ever get the chance to go deep into New Zealand Bush, do. There's nothing quite like it, the air is thick and wet, it has an incredible smell. Stuart Island is particularly good.
Second this, there's nothing quite like a walk through nz bush.
I would add that NZ bush walks aren't curated forest walks. You're walking through rough dense terrain. Check the weather, be prepared for sudden changes and carry food and water for a couple of extra days and a PLB. That or stick to the super popular tracks but they're just not the same.
Is the NZ fauna as bad as Australia's? I have spent a lot of time walking in North American forests, and I feel pretty safe in them, even with possible bear presence (I was in Alaska twice and it was majestic). I'd be scared to walk in a forest/bush in New Zealand or Australia.
[+] [-] tedmiston|9 years ago|reply
This excerpt from the publisher's site might help, though I didn't take away the same meaning personally:
> Going Bush
> Kirsty Gunn
> Kirsty Gunn meditates upon her childhood in New Zealand, revisiting in writing the landscapes she once explored through sight, sound and touch. Struggling with the stifling norms of colonial society, the young girl becomes fascinated by ‘the bush’ – that fringe of sodden, savage vegetation bordering the town’s tidy gardens and parks. Both threatening and irresistible, the bush becomes a powerful metaphor for the wild, with all its contradictions: marginalised but intrinsic, feared but desired. Interweaving essay, memoir and narrative, Gunn explores the influence of this disquieting presence on her early life and how it was able to provide her sustenance during the painful years of growing up.
[+] [-] sfink|9 years ago|reply
The lack of snakes and relative lack of nasty spiders did factor in to my decision to go barefoot, fwiw.
[+] [-] nzealand|9 years ago|reply
You are not alone my friend. Thanks for the excerpt.
[+] [-] JusticeJuice|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] sitharus|9 years ago|reply
I would add that NZ bush walks aren't curated forest walks. You're walking through rough dense terrain. Check the weather, be prepared for sudden changes and carry food and water for a couple of extra days and a PLB. That or stick to the super popular tracks but they're just not the same.
[+] [-] mablap|9 years ago|reply
[+] [-] danparsonson|9 years ago|reply
http://www.tetaurawhiri.govt.nz/learn-te-reo-maori/whakahuat...