Have I Mentioned the Food?

Not having a kitchen is easily the worst part of going back to dorm life. The food in the dining hall is not horrible, just a little bland and repetitive.

For breakfast there is a cereal bar with chocolate and regular rice crispies, corn flakes, and oatmeal, as well as plain yogurt, fruit, and toast. I've noticed that condiments seem to be pretty popular here in New Zealand. For breakfast there is a selection of about five different jams, peanut butter (smooth and crunchy), and of course, the infamous Vegemite. I haven't tried the Vegemite yet but I'm working up my courage! Occasionally there are other daily specials for breakfast such as baked beans or spaghetti, both toppings for toast!

Lunch and dinner vary daily. Beef, lamb, and ham seem to be the most popular meats used. There are always two options, plus a vegetarian option. Tonight's dinner featured teriyaki chicken, roasted lamb, and a chickpea strudel. Along with the main course there are two or three sides to choose from, among which is ALWAYS some form of potatoes, and fruit or dessert. There is also a salad bar with lettuce and pasta salads.

One of the things I've had to get used to is that the meals are served at very specific times during the day, which really isn't that unusual I guess, I'm just used to being able to grab something whenever I get hungry. Luckily, there is an AMAZING farmers market in Wellington that we stop at every Sunday on our way to church so that we can stock up on fresh fruits in case we get hungry between meals. If you're strictly carnivorous, or have some aversion to LOTS and LOTS of fruits and vegetables, please look away now. Now then, behold...



















Notice how the sign on the far left in the picture below says 'kiwi fruit'? A 'Kiwi' is a New Zealander, so if you really mean to talk about a fruit or the national bird you have to specify 'kiwi fruit' or 'kiwi bird'.



Since I don't have a kitchen (or refrigerator) I'm limited to just fruits, but I'm not complaining. Last Sunday I got bunch of bananas, 8 clementines, and 4 apples for $6 New Zealand dollars, which is even less American dollars. A cool thing about New Zealand is that the tax is already included in the price and they don't have pennies (or 1 cent equivalents) so they just round everything to the nearest ten cents which makes paying for stuff really quick and easy.