New Zealand Weekly Update #56

Last updated on November 21, 2023

13th of November until 19th of November 2023

Approximate reading time: 5 minutes

Lets get it started

Sunburned. Sore muscles. Tired as. But so happy. What a week, what a weekend, what a back to back event in Queenstown! This week has been full! Full of work. Full of people. Full of sports. Full of joy. And I am just back from Queenstown and it is already 7.30PM. And I am hungry. I need a shower. I need some sleep and my throat is sore. Seems like I am ready for some lazy days (of course not at work haha). But just a little more rest, a little less sport (even though I am already thinking about the next running event – it is addictive as!). And if the whole week would not be enough, I joined a paragliding course on sunday (and monday as well). I will tell you more next week, since most of the exting parts happend today (monday). But yikes! Looking back to yesterday, doing all the technique, the wonder woman positions, the torpedo positions and still trying to fight the wings, to put too much pressure and power into it, today has been sooo great with the first flights on my own, I am stoked. Will keep you updated with more about that next week!

My Camino

As you know, I decided to walk the Camino last year. For several reasons. Without any clue where I would end up (beside the fact that the Camino ends in Santiago de Compostela). Without any clue what I will experience on the way. What the way would teach me. Show me. Where I would end up after I finished. And I never ever thoght about sharing my experiences, thoughts, memories with anyone. Why should I? What could I tell people about my way? What would be the outcome of it? Would they even listen to my stories? Would it be interesting? Inspiring? Life-changing? Well, this would be the voice of the fat witch sitting on my chest, telling me this kind of shit. For me, it was and still is life-changing. Each and every day I think about the Camino. Its lessons. All the good and bad thoughts I have had through the way. All the pain. The suffering. The sun. The rain. The people. The dogs. The food. The silence. The nature. The dust. The heat. The short nights. The tears. The sweat. The joy. All of those things, mixed up together into one wonderful, delicious, unique shake of life.
Months ago, a customer of mine would talk to me telling me that she is part of the Wanaka Travel Club. They would meet every month and invite speakers, talking about their travel experiences, stories, journeys, sharing them. And she askes me to talk about my Camino. About my story. About my experiences. And I agreed. Without any doubt. Even if I never spoke about my Camino before infront of a real audience (of course I wrote down everything in my blog).
And So I have found myself in front of about 50 people in the Hawea Hotel on Wednesday, being introduced by Jacqui. And being about to talk about my way. My story. My Camino. So I would talk about why I decided to walk this way. About my education, about my relationship, my friends, about my life back in Germny, which was great! Which could have been a great story. If there would not have been this weirt feeling in my guts. So I moved on talking about the way itself. Its secrets. Its power. about how I have met different people. How I felt at different places. How I would let go. I would leave things behind me. How each and every day at the Camino teached me something. And how it still does, each and every day. And even more – I would talk about the way after the Camino. About being jobless. Feeling worthless. About my depression. And about how all of those experiences reavealed themselves to be good and important ones. Since they made me moving to New Zealand. Being who I am. Doing what I do. Full of joy, hope and some crazy ideas in my head. And most impressive, a lot of people would talk to me after my presentation, telling me about their experience with depression, with suicide and how they appreciated my talk. And there is nothing I could say but thank you. Talking about an experience that changed your life in a good way might be inspirational for other people. Talking about moments where you struggled the most and you have been still able to find (or fight) your way through, might be a support for others. Talking about how much you suffered and how much you fought to not give in, to not give up, might help someone to keep going. To not give in. To not give up. Talking about your hardest moments and weaknesses is not about being weak. It is about to show yourself and others that you are still here. Alive. And full of hope, strengh and joy!

Back to back

Well, my legs are still sore, they have been almost the whole week. I was tired. My body told me to have some rest. So I listend and relaxed the week a little bit. And I was not sure if it would be a good idea to go for another big run after last weekend. But well, I signed up a couple of weeks ago. And I could go for an easy, slow run and just enjoy the time, the landscape, the people. Well, I did indeed! The Queenstown marathon on saturday is a gem! The landsdcape is incredible! The nature you are running in is stunning. It was sunny. Blue sky. Thousands of people. Different nations. Different languages. But everyone with the same goal. Running and finishing. So we would start at 8.20AM in the morning. And me, in the middle of the crowd. Not sure if I should just go back home for some sleep. And there we go. Running for hours and hours. Sometimes up and down some gravel roads, sometimes along a never ending streed. Some photographers on the way, doing some great shots. Sometimes passing by lots of spectators, waving to us. Sometimes passing by aid stations with water, red bull and a high five. And sometimes, running along the lakeside, sweating, smiling and running. And I kept going, my knees were hurting, my left ankle told me to slow down. And so I did from time to time. Sometimes I would just stop by the aid stations, to stretch, to take a breath and to drink. And back on track.

The last kilometer, into Queenstown, passing by many people. Speeding up. Running uphill. And then downhill again, to the finish line! And it felt great crossing that one, since a couple of my collegues and friends would be waiting for me with some hugs and big smiles! And my plan of running slow? Well… ended up with 3.46h, not too bad for a back to back run though. And afterwards? Hugs, drinks, great talks and laughs. Thanks to each and everyone for your amazing support, words, chats and hugs. I appreciate everyone of you, you guys make such events special.

What else to say?

Lets slow down for a couple of days. Rest a little bit. And sleep a little bit more 🙂 . More things ahead. I am truly in love with New Zealand and its energy. Its power. Its people. Its vibes. It is a joy. For body, mind and spirit. And ther is no doubt that this place is very special. Have a great week guys, big hugs to you.

Your DingyInternational
Felix