I have arrived!

I have arrived and been in Auckland for 3 days now! My flight was very long. My parents dropped me at the Regina airport where we said our farewells. The flight was very uneventful. I met my friend Tanya at the Calgary airport and visited for a bit before heading off to Vancouver. I was given a free headset on my second flight...not sure why, but the flight dude must have thought I was cute or something lol!

The trek from my landing gate in Van city, to the international gate seemed to go on forever! I wasnt given a window seat for my flight to Auckland but when I got on no one else was in their seat yet...I took the opportunity to steal the window seat. It was a chinese couple who sat next to me and they didnt speak much english so they didnt say anything!

The flight attendant I had told me I was aloud to move to the back if I wanted more space to stretch out and sleep. I checked it out once we got in the air but they had already been taken. Soon after they presented us with dinner. I had chicken in a red wine sauce with mushrooms and a salad. It also came with a bun, cheese, crackers, and cheese cake. And I got free NZ wine as well which was very tasty. After the meal I watched a few movies...Nights in Rodanthe, Juno, and Waitress. I slept off and on but it was hard since there was a baby crying constantly, a kid with a cough, a guy who kept sneezing in the row next to us that kept scaring me awake(probably would have been funny to see) and the bathroom door that was slammed open and closed a few times. I got to watch out flight progress on screen as well which was pretty neat. In the morning they served us breakfast which consisted of a fruit tray, yogurt, muffin, orange juice, and coffee or tea. It was also very good.

I didnt really get excited until we started our decent. I relized then that I was on the other side of the world. It seemed like a dream. We finally landed and and as we were coming in the sun came up so I got to see everything.

It took forever to get my bag. I then headed over to customs where the lady gave me a hard time for not having a copy of my approved work visa. I was scared she wasnt going to let me in but she finally stamped my passport and I made my way to the x-ray machines. I made it past and went thru the last gate where Nathan was waiting.

I was so relieved to see him and know that the long flight was finally over. I gave him a big hug and we went and sat down. I was shaking so badly(not sure why) that he had to take my camera away to look at the pictures I was trying to show him, lol. I had to keep touching him to make sure he was real. After a short rest we jumped on the airbus that took us into downtown auckland.

I couldnt believe how nice and green everything was. And it was weird to be driving on the wrong side...still not used to that. We checked into the hostel but our room wasnt ready until 1pm and it was only 8am. so we put my bags in Nate's previous room for safe keeping and went exploring.

We walked down to the harbour and got some pictures. I met Nate's friend Patrick. Then we walked back to the hostel where we crashed for about 4 hours.

That night we went to a movie (The Day the Earth Stood Still) and wandered around downtown a bit checking out the sights.

The next day we went to Cornwall Park (aka One Tree Hill) Where Nathan's friend Patrick's friend were having a BBQ. We got to see NZ sheep and cows for the first time! Then we had to go look at a couple places to live so we wont have to stay in a hostel over x-mas. Patricks friend Aaron offered to drive us and he took us on the scenic route, it was great he was like a tour guide!

The two places we looked at were crappy. The one had alot of cats and a tree in the shower...seemed a bit sketchy. So then Aaron says why dont you come see my place...so we did and ended up moving in today! It is really cool. Nate and I will add a video of it later.

So after looking at all the houses we went back to the BBQ and then went out to the bar that night.

Today we moved our stuff to Aarons, picked up some groceries at a mall 2 mins away and have been hanging out most of the day.
Tomorrow we will probably start looking for jobs.
I think I will go now before this turns into a novel! Hope you are all doing well at home. I heard the weather is a little chilly so I will try to send some sun home. Ttyl
Terra