Hero

No, I am not going to write about the TV series. I am going to write about a man who meant a lot to many New Zealanders, myself included. While growing up, one could never escape hearing stories of the great deeds and historic feats this man had accomplished - who would want to escape really... in a country of just over 4 million people with a relatively short modern history, there aren't too many people or events we could tell stories about. Sir Edmund Hillary was definitely one of our favourite claims to world history. He was courageous, generous, honest and humble. Best of all, he was just an all 'round good Kiwi bloke who cared about the world.

Today while watching TV on the bus, I saw our Prime Minister giving a speech at his funeral ceremony. Attended by world dignitaries as the newspapers say, this was an affair that would have broken many people's hearts. He was illustration of what a man with a little determination and a lot of guts could do and New Zealanders of all ages looked up to him as a role model. Being from a small country makes you thirsty for recognition of your hard work.

Sir Edmund Hillary helped a lot of people, not only did he inspire generations of Kiwis by climbing Mt Everest, he also helped to build schools and helped communinities in remote regions of mountainous Nepal.

I felt very homesick for the first time today after watching this piece of news on the bus... perhaps I don't show my Kiwi side, or Kiwi pride enough... perhaps I just don't keep up with the news enough? I don't know... perhaps I really miss the food and the people, the jokes and the sarcastic humour, the weather, the beautiful scenery, the smiles from people on the street, the smell of spring, grass and flowers. Perhaps I miss the sight of birds on the footpath, Sunday brunchs with salad, bacon and scrambled eggs, the cafes by the street and cappucinos with chocolate dusting designs. Wow, maybe I even miss seeing and hearing about our silly politicians' latest scandals (ok scratch that one, I prefer the world news we get here in Asia).

All in all, I kinda miss our little piece of land down-under (which is not Australia btw). My thoughts are with you guys in Aotearoa.