First Days

I've landed in New Zealand and ready to embark on my first days.  I think I will try to post on my blog Sunday or Monday nights of each week, and for those of you in the States that will be Saturday or Sunday.  We'll have to see if I stick to this.

My flights over to New Zealand were rather uneventful and I sat next to nice people.  I even got sleep on the evening flight from San Francisco to New Zealand.

After arriving I took a bus to find my apartment building.  Of course I realized as I was getting off that I didn't really know were I was going.  Luckily I was saved by kind folks from the city that helped send me on my way.

I pulled up to this building, with my very large 50.5 pound suitcase, very heavy backpack, and overstuffed carry on suitcase that seemed to have exploded on the plane ride (at the airport it was wrapped in plastic and everything was still there, but the zipper wasn't in good shape). Then I had to wait a bit for someone to help check me in.

I was then showed to my 13th floor apartment! Where I quickly showered and headed off to international student orientation.

The flat has two bathroom and five bedrooms so I will have four other flatmates.  So far I have only met Jens from Germany and Cyril from China. 

My first evening I went to the Lantern Festival.  I loved the festival it was great to see the diversity in Auckland and all the adorable families.  Lanterns were everywhere hung from the beautiful trees, each with different themes.

After this I somehow managed to make it to the Munster Inn and have some fun dancing and meeting new people.  So I slept pretty well my first night.

My second day in Auckland was spent at the beach catching up on my Vitamin D after Vermont weather. We went to Mission Bay one of the closest beaches and although man-made it was still beautiful.

The water was wonderful, perfect swimming temperature and although I had to reapply sunscreen about four times it was so nice to enjoy the weather.

We also enjoyed some frozen yogurt down at the beach and had a nice walk.

On the way back I stopped of to pick up a few things at the store and then headed back home and went to the Lantern Festival to get some Chinese food.

And today has been my third day in New Zealand and I took it pretty easy and got my free breakfast and walked around the city a bit and got some groceries.  Then relaxed in a park and back at the apartments with some of my new friends.

-Missing everyone who's far away, but I'll keep updating you on my travels and keep in touch through Facebook and Skype :)