I'm here. In some ways I still can't believe that I am here in New Zealand. I'm still adjusting to being here but I know this takes time. It's been a bit chilly here but it is just the beginning of their spring here, so it's very comparable to the chilly days I left in Chicago. I've done a bit of exploring with my wonderful host Lynne, a family friend that lives here in Auckland. But I should back up and share about my flights over here.
I got to the airport in Chicago and had a bit of a complication with checking my bags. I think it was more that it was a newer person checking my things in then something wrong with my ticket/reservations. I then said my goodbyes and went through security. My flight to LA was good and I had some great conversations with the two guys who sat next to me. One of them was Scottish and had some great tips for me for flying a long distance. Both were very encouraging about my trip and how it definitely is a life changing experience for me. They also helped me head off in the right direction for catching my next flight.
LAX is a very confusing airport as it is not all connected inside by walkways where you can walk from terminal to terminal but rather you have to go outside (out of security) and walk to another terminal. There is a shuttle that will take you from terminal to terminal, and that is where I met a number of people that were also going to New Zealand and so we all set off to find our terminal together. It was nice to be able to have someone to chat to as we were waiting to board our next flight. I was gearing up for this what seemed like an extremely long 12-hour flight. It's crazy to think that I was on a plane for that long but it was a great experience.
I had been able to purchase an upgrade for really cheap so I had more leg room and was able to recline a bit more which was GREAT and I think helped make the journey a lot easier. I also had a window seat...which really didn't do anything considering I was flying over the Pacific Ocean the entire time I was in the plane. The girl who was sitting next to me and I hit off really great and we became friends over the course of 12 hours. We felt as if we were in The Hunger Games (book/movie series) going to the capitol because of the stewards and stewardess' outfits, which were bright colors and slightly outrageous patterns. I was able to watch a few movies and slept most of the way. I was grateful that I had gotten some compression socks to wear because they helped with blood circulation and keeping my legs from swelling. The food was actually really good and I was really happy with everything. If you every are heading somewhere and can take an Air New Zealand flight, I highly recommend it!
After landing I had to collect all of my bags and go through customs. I was nervous that I was going to end up bringing something I wasn't supposed to but I was fine and made it through customs. I was greeted by Lynne and we headed to her house so I could shower and change before we started our Tiki tour of Auckland. I'm still getting used to the fact that they drive on the other side of the road here and that everything is on opposite sides. We drove all around Auckland and we went up Mount Eden, which is a now dormant volcano. Fun fact about Auckland it is built around and on dormant volcanoes. I took some great pictures and will be posting them once I am able to get my computer connected to internet. We also went to the Auckland War Memorial Museum. There were a number of police cars and police men walking around, and so we asked one of them if the museum was open and they said yes but we had to use the back entrance because of an American VIP coming that day. We made a joke of how it was me and he just laughed. We went in the back entrance and we ended up finding out it was the American Secretary of Defense. He was there to honor some of the Kiwi soldiers who have been killed in Afghanistan alongside American troops there. I saw some exhibits on the Maori people, who are indigenous to New Zealand. I tried to stay busy throughout the day to fight jet lag and I crashed at about 7:30pm Friday night.
After sleeping for 12.5 hours, I woke up on Saturday, feeling quite refreshed. Today we took a drive from the West coast to the East coast to the town of Piha and went to see black sand beaches. They were really cool to see and we even saw some surfers out there. Piha is one of New Zealand's best beaches for surfing. I feel as if it's still a bit cold to be surfing but to each their own. The views were spectacular and I took a number of pictures, which I will upload as soon as possible. We had lunch in a small cafe in Titirangi. I am very slowly beginning to be able to pronounce some of these Maori words, but it definitely is tricky then I thought it would be.
Some things that are different then our culture is that mid afternoon we have tea and scones. We've also had coffee after lunch each day. Ordering coffee here is different as well. They have different names for different drinks. Today I had a Flat White Coffee which is basically a latte. I'm still trying to figure out what a tall black/short black coffee is, so maybe one day I will be brave enough to try that. They like their foods more sweet then savory over here, or so it seems in the meals that I have had. Their ketchup is sweeter over here and I don't know if I like it or not just yet. They also have something called Maramite over here, which I have not tried yet. It is similar to vegemite but according to Kiwi's it is much better. It is basically a yeast extract with a very distinct salty taste. You are supposed to eat a thin layer of it on toast with butter. So that is on my list of things to try but I just don't think I am ready just yet. I have yet to go into a store to see what I have access to yet, so I'm sure I will post about that in the next few days/weeks
Sorry for such a long entry today but there is just so much to catch up on. But all is well here in the land of Kiwis. I am adjusting quite well and can't wait to get to Oxford next week and start my school. Thank you for all the prayers as I traveled and for my adjustment to life over here.
Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you
joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and
whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will
bring you to judgment. So then, banish anxiety from your heart and
cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are
meaningless.
Ecclesiastes 11:9-10
