It's True

I am here. I am safe. I am dawg tired! I arrived in Auckland, after a restless 12 hour flight, at 5 am NZ time. This was also after I sat for almost 2 and a half hours in the Vancouver airport while our plane lined up to be de-iced. It was the only flight out of about 5 flights to LA that night that didn't get canceled. It's quite incredible that I didn't miss my connector. Makes me feel like this was something I was supposed to do.

I am in good spirits having met a guy from London this morning who ended up joining me for breakfast and may meet up with me later... if we chance to run into each other. I also have dinner plans with my dorm mates. Now I just gotta figure out the what to do for that whole working part of this holiday and I'll be set.

Though it is the middle of their spring, it is cloudy and not that exciting out right now.

This place is like Canada... body shop, mcdonalds, starbucks, and other places with different names but for services that mimic what we have, e.g. 7-11 = star mart.... only some things are weird. It took about 30 minutes of bus ride before I finally stopped feeling a queezy stomache clench whenever we turned around a bend on the left side of the road... like some strange instinct warning me that we are in danger of running into somebody, haha. They have sidewalks that cross diagonally in the intersections... which I have seen in tv, but not in real life. It's kind of cool to watch this massive flow of people spurt out into the road, then suddenly clear. I'd post a picture for you, but I forgot to bring my USB cable with me here.

I don't feel all that far away, especially as how I have access to free internet while I'm in Auckland. Wishing you guys all the best. I'm going on a free bus tour of Auckland tomorrow. And who knows what after that.

Is this enough?

A little more cowbell:



I hope I meet the standards now....

;)

Haere Mai!

Just in case I haven't told you yet. Three weeks from today, on November 27th 2006, I will be flying out of Vancouver and heading to New Zealand, the land of the long white cloud.

FAQ's:

1. How long are you going for?

I have a one year working visa, and an open return ticket which is valid up to one year as well. So depending on how much I hate/love it in NZ I could be gone anywhere from two weeks to twelve months.

2. Where are you flying into?

Auckland.

3. Are you going with anyone?

No. Just me.

4. Where are you going to stay? What kind of work are you going to do? Where are you going to go? Who do you know there?

I've signed up with a company called S.W.A.P. They're hooking me up with my working visa, my first two nights of accommodation, an orientation, employment resources, as well as on going support system which provides services such as a mail box and internet access. I'll be staying in various hostels as I travel around. When I find a place I like and want to stay, I will get a job, find stable housing and rest my travelling shoes. I have a few contacts in NZ, mostly friends of friends, so I will be having coffee around the country with pseudo strangers of all shapes.

5. Are you CRAZY!!!?

Yes. But, also excited.

6. Can I come visit you while you are there?

YES! I welcome any and all of my friends and family anytime during my adventure. Sorry, I won't be paying for your ticket though. You know I would if I could.

Please feel free to keep track of me during my journey by reading my blog and sending me emails! I'll try to update whenever I can and look forward to hearing from all of you as well. I like knowing what you're up to...in that creepy stalker sort of way *cough* I mean, like any good friend should.

Kia Ora! (Good Health!, in Maori)