Auckland

First of all, I want to re-emphasize that the enter key does not seem to work in New Zealand, so my posts won't actually format into separate paragraphs. I apologize about the seemingly run-on nature of these posts. Secondly, hi from Auckland! I'm in New Zealand's largest city, housing approximately 1.5 million people and a third of the population. Geographically, it's huge---it's land mass is approximately the size of LA and stretches on and on. Physically, it reminds me a bit of Seattle---a harbor city with ferries and the giant Sky Tower that looks suspiciously like the Space Needle. It's nice to be somewhere with things open past 5pm again, although I will say that there is some briskness that comes with the city that isn't present in other parts of NZ.

 Yesterday, I went up said Sky Tower and took my last snaps before my camera officially died on me (in spite of three different battery purchases, it is now saying my batteries are dead). Today, I went to the colonial settlement of Devonport and the art museum. I also went to a place called Kelly Tarlton's Antartic Encounter and Underwater World, which profiles a few of the earliest Antartic adventures and then has a massive aquarium. I loved it because a.) I do want to go to Antartica; b.) there were penguins!; c.) there was this place called Seahorse Kingdom that was blasting melodramatic music (think of the music from Atonement, but happier). It had three small cases of different seahorses bopping around and was truly magical.

Oh! I also walked around Auckland University, and it was wonderful. Their student union is so practical! They had a food court, a bookstore, a pharmacy, the health center, a travel agency, a post office, and the clubs and organizations office next door. If I don't come back, it's because I coerced someone to hire me and am never leaving. I have one last day tomorrow, which I may spend at a museum and around the harbor, and then have to head to the airport. As my lovely plane leaves at 6am and I am now starting the frugal descent where I try to make the $50 I have left last so I don't have to take any more out of the ATM, I will be sleeping at the Auckland airport. Considering the traveler spirit of this country, I hardly doubt I will be alone. I

t has not hit me that the journey is ending---I had the big goodbye with the end of Habitat for Humanity, but this doesn't have the same bit climactic ending. However, I will say that the people here have truly been some of the most hospitable and friendly that I have encountered. I don't think I've ever had the same genuine willingness to help and share their stories, and that's been so great to see. I've also enjoyed that in some ways New Zealand is a bit less "modern"---that you still see video stores and travel agencies and the internet hasn't replaced PEOPLE everywhere down here. It's a traveler's country for sure, with information centers everywhere and great hostels and a spirit of traveling. I'm glad I came here (and glad I came in winter, definitely avoiding the crowds and getting much more individualized service and access!). :)