We have officially survived one of the biggest parties we will probably ever attend. Each year in February (middle of summer here), Wellington plays host to the New Zealand International Rugby Sevens. Over the past couple of years it has turned into a huge costume party. It's not just any costume party, it is one where 99.5% of the people are dressed up in elaborate costumes that are either homemade a year in advance or ordered online from the US. From the time we arrived in NZ, everyone was on a mission to find us tickets for this event because they sell out in 20 seconds. We were extremely lucky and were able to secure tickets a couple of weeks before the big weekend, which only meant one thing...what to wear as a costume?! We didn't get too crazy, but four of us went as "The Average Joe's" Dodgeball team. I wish I could describe some of the costumes we saw but no description or pictures would ever do it justice. So, Friday morning we wake up bright and early to start drinking and get ready to head down to the waterfront and eventually to the stadium...to "watch" Rugby! The stadium seats 35,000 people and only a small fraction of them actually watch the game (unless NZ is playing, of course). The weather was perfect and we did actually manage to watch a couple of the games on Friday before heading out on the town (well Clement did, I knew that if I went out and had to wake up early the next morning to do it all over again, I would have died). He got home at 4am and we got up at 9am to start all over again. There is this notion that everyone "saves themselves" for Saturday (the final day of the tournament) because "the city goes off!". Go off it did! It was complete mayhem in the stands, on the streets, in the bars and even in the harbour (Ninja Turtles, sperm, carrots, jailbirds, and many others all taking the plunge into the Wellington Harbour). They close off the main street which houses the bars and pubs and have one hell of a street party. The bars have their music playing outside and it was just one sweet as time! (ha, couldn't resist). People were up dancing on the bus stops and everything. It's amazing, because you could never get away with half of the stuff that was going on at home, but here the cops just love it and as long as you aren't disturbing others or property, you're good to go. In fact, there were less than 100 arrests the entire weekend (keeping in mind that 75,000 people went through the stadium in 2 days). Even the people who can't get tickets get dressed up in costume and join in on the partying! There seems to be extreme consequences if you don't dress up and I wouldn't dare risk it on this weekend!
I really wish I could describe the chaos and fun of this weekend, but you will just have to see if for yourselves. Wellington is the only place where the Sevens are taken to this level so if you ever get the chance to come to NZ, make sure you plan to be in Wellington for the Sevens weekend. We promise you would never forget it!
Oh yeah, the rugby. The final game was great as it was between two small pacific islands who can really play rugby- Samoa and Fiji. Fiji ended up winning the tournament, which was great to see and there were tons of Fijians at the game watching their native country take the trophy! Canada competed but didn't make it very far. I suggest us Canadians stick to ice hockey...
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