Auckland--The Journey Begins

After a 13 hour flight from LAX I touched down at 7:30 AM in Auckland, New Zealand—I had arrived at my long anticipated first destination and departed from that which was familiar. I cleared customs, hopped a bus to my hostel and was exploring downtown on foot into no time. As I wandered the streets my reality had a dream-like texture, thanks to the time change and lack of sleep, but more so from the excitement of actually being here. I had just flown from the top of the world to downunder, crossed the International Date Line and went from the beginning of winter to the beginning of summer—my body was wheeling to orient itself. But there is something hugely refreshing about being broken out of your usual context and patterns of association, it gives everything newness. Sitting in a park, Explosions In The Sky basting in my headphones, I found it enjoyable to simply observe—nothing I had to do but be, nowhere I had to be but present, with my thoughts, content, as the external world swirled around. 

Auckland is the country’s largest city but it’s small and it’s culture is tame by American metropolitan standards. The port city is a unique blend that is not uniquely kiwi. McDonalds and Starbucks are common sights along with a handful of other equally unpalatable American-based multinationals. Cuisine from Asian, Indian and other pacific island nations dots every block, and are more common downtown than traditional New Zealand fare. All the luxuries of the States along with many of the pop trends (music, movies, TV, fashion) are here to be found. Needless to say culture shock wasn’t exactly an issue, though I’m still getting used to driving on the other side of the road. The people in general are very welcoming and helpful. As a culture they are keen on enjoying life and don’t seem to take things too seriously. The average Kiwi is like an American after ten deep breaths plus a funny accent change.  Auckland has treated me well but I look forward to exploring what I really came for, the less treaded on land of zeal outside the city….