i arrived in New Zealand at 5 am after a ridiculously long and exhausting trip. I did manage to sleep on the plane a bit, but my sleeping skills are not what they used to be. Guess I'my growing up. Old and crotchety and unable to sleep, that's me. Despite my fears, my supervising teacher, who was kind enough to pick me up, found me with no difficulty. I think the emailed description of the massive amount of luggage I would have (a suitcase, a large backpack, a smal backpack, a purse, and a bright blue violin case) helped a lot.
The first thing I noticed as I walked outside, a thing I always take care to note when I arrive in a foreign country, was the smell. Where India smelled of jasmine spices and humidity, New Zealand's scent is dominated by the sea, with undertones of loam and green plants and the faint perfume of flowers. After taking in the smell, I spent some time admiring the trees we drove past, further evidence beyond the accent of those around me that the long wait was over and I was actually, finally, in New Zealand. Many of the trees are scraggly, with wizened trunks and branches and crowned with tufts of greenery. Some of my favorites are the massive fern trees, several of which grow in my host family's back yard.
The first thing I noticed as I walked outside, a thing I always take care to note when I arrive in a foreign country, was the smell. Where India smelled of jasmine spices and humidity, New Zealand's scent is dominated by the sea, with undertones of loam and green plants and the faint perfume of flowers. After taking in the smell, I spent some time admiring the trees we drove past, further evidence beyond the accent of those around me that the long wait was over and I was actually, finally, in New Zealand. Many of the trees are scraggly, with wizened trunks and branches and crowned with tufts of greenery. Some of my favorites are the massive fern trees, several of which grow in my host family's back yard.
To be honest, the next few hours, and indeed most of the day, passed in a blur. But I do remember exploring Mount Eden Park, the grassily overgrown inactive volcano in the middle of Auckland that is pictured on my homepage. Christine, who was cat-sitting for my host family while they were in Hawaii, had work to do at school, so I drove into Mount Eden with her, with the intention of walking, exploring, and NOT FALLING ASLEEP! The hike was absolutely lovely. It is a protected site because it is a natural wonder and because there are some Maori earthworks at the bottom of the crater, making it an archaeological site. So I could not go somersaulting down the crater as I was sorely tempted to do, but I really enjoyed stretching my legs and exploring the walking trails after having sat for so long. It is amazing how a small nature preserve, if the paths are windy and the bush tall enough, can remove you from the city and give a sense of isolation, if only for a moment. I was extremely happy to see a Tui on my hike, a native New Zealand bird that is absolutely spectacular. It is a brilliant royal blue color with little white tufts on its wings that look like shoulder pads. I have a decal of a Tui at home in Indiana, and took my seeing one on the very first day as a good omen for my trip.
In addition to being breathtaking, Mount Eden also offers a spectacular view of Auckland and the harbor. Auckland is larger than expected; it is small for being New Zealand's largest city – a population of roughly 1 million – but it is sprawling. The view is somewhat dominated by the Sky Tower, which used to rate among the world's tallest buildings, and the surrounding buildings, of typical size for a large city. But this takes up only a small sector of the city, the rest of which is populated by houses and other relatively small buildings. Even the houses are smaller than I am used to. One street, said to be contain some of the most expensive houses in Auckland, was full of cute, little, old houses, nothing like the modern monstrosities I have come to expect from the wealthy (or those living beyond their means) at home.
There are still a few things I am getting used to. Taps turn on the other way, lights flick down to go on instead of up. Most of all, though, I still have a visceral nervousness about driving on the left side of the road. Everything is fine until we go to turn the corner or go around a roundabout. Then, suddenly, years of enculturation kick in and I want to clutch at the window of the passenger seat as my mother does when I take corners too fast. I was really excited to try Fish 'n' Chips, a New Zealand specialty, but found it to be a bit too greasy and a bit too fishy for my tastes. (One would think I would have seen that latter one coming a long way off...) Finally, the bakeries are amazing! What an assortment of savory snacks, unlimited to sweets as bakeries in the states tend to be.That will be a hard readjustment to make.
More later. I love everybody back home and I'm already missing you terribly. I thought I wouldn't notice my homesickness for a while, that the excitement would keep it at bay, but no such luck. I am excited, and I am having a wonderful time, but I already can't wait to see everyone again. Hugs to everybody!!
There are still a few things I am getting used to. Taps turn on the other way, lights flick down to go on instead of up. Most of all, though, I still have a visceral nervousness about driving on the left side of the road. Everything is fine until we go to turn the corner or go around a roundabout. Then, suddenly, years of enculturation kick in and I want to clutch at the window of the passenger seat as my mother does when I take corners too fast. I was really excited to try Fish 'n' Chips, a New Zealand specialty, but found it to be a bit too greasy and a bit too fishy for my tastes. (One would think I would have seen that latter one coming a long way off...) Finally, the bakeries are amazing! What an assortment of savory snacks, unlimited to sweets as bakeries in the states tend to be.That will be a hard readjustment to make.
More later. I love everybody back home and I'm already missing you terribly. I thought I wouldn't notice my homesickness for a while, that the excitement would keep it at bay, but no such luck. I am excited, and I am having a wonderful time, but I already can't wait to see everyone again. Hugs to everybody!!