Oh yeah, and about the earthquake in NZ. It turns out I did have some friends in Christchurch. One girl I traveled with was there and lost everything in the hostel. All her belongings, including her passport, bank and credit cards, and other imperative things for travel. She has been taken in by a local family and they are helping her weather the storm. Apparently, up until a few days ago there were violent aftershocks occuring. Definitely dodged a bullet on that one.