 |
| Nathan and I |
In a few hours, I will have completed my second week in Auckland. I find the concept of inner-city life in one of the most untouched countries on earth to be quite ironic. So, what have I been doing with myself I hear you ask?
I spent three nights on Nathan's couch. We ate, we laughed, we talked, we walked. If you visit Auckland, I highly recommend you go to Herne Bay - it's got all your nice little hippy shops as well as beautiful beaches which were sunny and only 15C/60F, in the middle of winter.
 |
| The clocktower at the University of Auckland |
After the pleasant introductory weekend in Auckland, I became faced with the daunting issue of finding a place to live, and the weather changed to reflect this fact. Fear not, I did not sleep on the streets for I had booked... a hostel. And there I met among many other wonderful people, some French and American exchange students who happen to be studying at UoA! Yay friends!
So on Thursday, the newly formed fellowship undertook the backpackers bar crawl (Baptists, I can feel you judging me). Usually I would expect this to end quite badly, but instead, the one of the newer members of the troupe (Beth) drank water through my sock in order to win a cornucopia of prizes including a two for one skydive. I got to be her buddy XD!
 |
| Obligatory sheep on One Tree Hill |
I'm sure you are all in suspense as to my living conditions. Well, on Friday night, I thought I was pretty screwed - I
might have been able to move into on the Sunday, that was all - and the hostel was fully booked. But then came along my trio of french saviours, who each in their own way introduced me to a house of students and travelers within walking distance of Uni, as well as the cheapest supermarket ever. Bonus! My housemates are just my sort of people. Furthermore, Marion, who now is my classmate and saviour will now be moonlighting as my housemate!
So.... since then, the troupe and I have been entertaining ourselves with climbing up volcanoes such as One Tree Hill and Mount Eden, walking ridiculous distances to get to beaches and attending a haka at Uni. I've embedded a video of one of the dances, which was shorter, but you can also view the first 'welcome' performance
here. I was proud that I could make out some of the words that they said in Māori.
 |
| Preparing for liftoff |
This was definitely the highlight of my Wednesday. Oh, and today I actually undertook the skydive with Beth. If you have the means to do so, please do jump out of a perfectly good plane. Especially if it's in New Zealand - I think I took in the maximum amount of scenery in the shortest amount of time. Unfortunately I couldn't justify spending the extra NZ$120 or so to get professional photos taken, but I do have mind pictures. We had the
best day for it - in every direction I could see until the curvature of the earth blocked my view. Cold though. Really, really cold.
So, apart from a few bits of furniture, I'm all set up! The next step is actually starting school and getting my head in the books. We'll see how that goes, eh?
