9 Weeks On...

...hold up, it's only been 9 freakin' weeks?! Holy hot tamale Batman, I've done heaps already!

My travels have thus far included:

Again, I plead the Fifth

• Auckland
• Largest Polynesian city ever at 1.5M people 
• Rotorua
• Where I did the bloody Zorb last time round. My US mates can pop over to Tennessee and do this themselves!  
• Gisborne
• Failed attempt to first see the sunrise (it rained - no, it poured!)
• Napier
• Art Deco architecture galore 
• Wellington
• NZ capitol city - looked, tasted and felt like a capitol
• Taupo
• I plead the Fifth on this :)
• Hamilton
• Outdoor gardens with a terrible representation of a Californian backyard 

For you picture folks, that's most of the North Island! 


On 7 May I commenced working at Westpac NZ. At this fine Australian/ NZ bank I perform investment health checks for current Westpac customers. Let's say I'm now fully versed in New Zealand financial law, investment products and retirement planning. Why? No particular reason (under NZ law, I can have me bumbum booted if I even whisper something remotely perceived to giving financial advice).

This is where I work!

Former Tongan Embassy

For a solid two weeks I resided in the former Queen of Tonga's embassy located in Parnell, Auckland NZ. It was a very historic, holistic delicious villa located just outside the city center. Here I was really able to get my hippie on!


Bought myself heaps of hokey pokey (honeycomb toffee) vanilla ice cream. Almost, literally had to padlock the freezer because it is that orgasmic-ally delicious!

Toured the Viaduct Harbour night scene. Was kicked out of me first club by the bouncer who was at the minimum 3 times my size (I wasn't gonna argue with him). Woke up the next morning with stamps up and down both arms - because I'm very classy like that :)

Lastly, I have moved in to a flat in Glen Innes, Auckland! The community residents are not of the highest socio-economic status BUT it is not nearly as bad as other Auckland neighbourhoods. I get to see fairly frequent protests because heaps of state housing is being torn down and thus residents are in a forced move. Yes, one night I was almost jumped on my walk home from the bus stop so I remain vigilant and aware of my surroundings now and do not venture out alone at night; And this is a massive eye-opening living experience. (I will very well be moving in August once my current contract with Westpac expires.)

However, my flatmates are very cool. One young Kiwi, another older Kiwi, an American from Georgia and our islander landlord all reside in this humble abode. Yes, I found a place with an HRV system to remove the infamous humidity and dampness NZ is known for - so it's almost like being at home (minus the non-insulated walls). You betchya 45F feels pretty chilly by dawn.

I hope this update satisfies all y'alls cravings of me :P I miss every one of your faces tonnes and lerve each of you heaps!!

Cheers fer now,
:D

"I STARTED WITH NOTHING. I HAVE MOST OF IT LEFT"

PS I'll let ya in here on my very deep mind (I'm in the great category haha) :P

Great minds discuss ideas;

Average minds discuss events;

Small minds discuss people.

~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Lest We Forget

 

"IN REFLECTION WE FIND 

A SENSE OF HISTORY, 

A SENSE OF PLACE, 

A SENSE OF WHO WE ARE..."

 

25 April is ANZAC Day to commemorate the Australian New Zealand Army Corp's landing on Gallipoli Peninsula in the first World War. 8,500 NZ troops landed, 4,800 were wounded and 2,700 bravely perished. Australian forces did not fare any better.  From that, ANZAC Day was born (so to my American audience, our equivalent is Memorial Day).

Guard them flags Flag Cadets

There are no gaudy New Zealand flags being handed out, or those ridiculous people dressed in flag colours with their faces painted, or groups shouting patriotic slogans. This was a value-oriented ceremony that largely promoted peace. Throughout the speeches, there was never a mention of "protection" or "freedom" or 'it's our God given right to spread our ways to the world' mentality. Instead speakers focused on remembrance, unity and general peace - and the folks only used the phrase "current conflicts" when referring to America's wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Attending this ceremony was the first time I kept my head down close to my shoulders and certainly did not tell anyone I'm from the States. I honestly started questioning the media, political and general patriotic American sub-cultures in wondering what the hell is their agenda? Sounds like a bunch of treason?



 Left: Wreaths laid in remembrance

Right: "From The People of the United States of America to the People of New Zealand in Commemoration of ANZAC Day 2012"












Still a moving and eye-opening experience to witness. Other factoids picked up:

• there is a special Maori unit for only Maori folk 
• Sun glasses are also referred to as "sunnies"
• New Zealand has 2 national anthems - the first half of one is sung in Maori (and half the crowd at this particular ceremony were easily able to sing along)
• The red poppy is used as the flower of remembrance 

Now be off and enjoy your 25 April America!

Cheers,
:D

P.S. If anyone is counting, I've been here a solid month and have observed 4 public holiday's thus far. And I know Queen's Birthday is just 'round the corner! :-D

You know you're an honorary Kiwi when....

• You love your Watties sauce (still a hardcore Ranch fan here!)
• "Sweet As" is not just a phrase, but a state of mind
• You walk barefoot through the middle of town (No shoes, No shirt and I still get service!)
• You address other people as "youse fullas"
• You support any team playing against Australia
• Meat Pies are an essential part of your diet (even better tasting at 4am)
• You've met someone on Shortland Street 
• "Yeah, nah" is an answer to any question
• You've thrown plastic beer bottles at a rugby game (now added to me bucket list)
• Marmite is a delicacy on white bread (No. Vegemite may be though)
• You finish every sentence with "aye" (not "eh", mates)
• You spread Marmite on your toast in the morning (and then promptly spit it out)
• You don't think Salmonella Dub is a type of food poisoning
• You pay for things using your EFTPOS card (You still have to PIN for that McDouble)
• You think Jandals will match anything you are wearing

  

  Toilets do not flush counter-clockwise here. They gush.

A Note to Me Mates

You may be thinking "why in the Sam h-e-double hockey sticks can he not spell?" or "Derek doesn't really speak like that...." Well, immersing yourself in another culture certainly forces some adjustment.

• NZ - pronounced "en zed"
• Harbour - harbor 
• Organisation - organization 
• Tyre - tire
• Heaps - a lot
• Mates - friends
• Chips - fries
• Biscuits - cookies
• The Warehouse - a very run-down Wal-Mart 
• Fillet - said with a hard 't' 
• Lamb - it's everywhere and on everything. and it is delicious.
• Subway - literally everywhere
• No making a turn on a red light - no exceptions!
• "Get On" - this one confuses me. 'How long are you on for?' or 'How did you get on with your previous co-workers?'
• The metric system - why can't Amurica adopt it already?

My very Minnesotan vowels are disappearing. O's and A's are not as long. 'Auckland' is pronounced like 'Oakland' folks. My only issue is the word bag. Minnesotan's simply are not able to pronounce it like the rest of the world. Plus, I need to maintain some of my own MN personality by dropping one of these from time to time:

• "Kiddie-corner"
• Oh yeah, you betchya 
• Eh
• Drive faster! 
• Miles, inches, pounds...

Calories are counted in Kilojoules here. This is one adjustment I will refuse to make. Therefore, whatever I eat has no caloric intake so it's like I'm eating absolutely nothing all the time! Such a food-lovers paradise!

Now I've a massive craving for a hot dog that really needs to be taken care of. Plus I'm impatiently waiting on job news.

Cheers,
:D 

Wellywood

Last time I was in NZ, there was a serious effort to change the name from Wellington to Wellywood because it's where the film industry is based; and obviously they love Hollywood so they must compete!

On a more cereal note, Wellington is the capitol city. So very serious stuff occurs down yander [funny it was so cold whilst I was there. Oh yeah, Parliament was not in session].

Popped on the cable car to head up the bluff. Some very delicious views! [oooops, I may or may not have forgotten me camera.] But just trust me, the views were as delicious as a Grandma-made pumpkin pie, or Mums apple crisp or the first bite of an absolutely moan-tastic meal. Ahh, delicious.

However, Steve Jobs gave us iPhones to take pics.

City was full of character and charm. Well, at least the buildings were. The people residing there really needed a Joker or something funny.

Doings

• Visited Te Papa Aotearoa (Museum of New Zealand in Maori). 6 hours later we left.

• Toured Parliament with Bill. Bill was keen on pointing out to the only American on the tour that New Zealand has Absolute Freedom of Speech. It's different. An MP Committee Member will let any global citizen sit (or stand) and talk for as long as they please about an agenda issue relating to specific legislation being considered. This means hours of sitting there listening, politely. Have a conversation with Bill. Post a letter to:

 Bill, Tour Guide

Parliament

Wellington, NZ

• Saw Battleship. Of course it can't be in a cookie-cutter theatre like Amurica. It's a Cinema in this 20th century historic theatre with all the decor maintained.

Cheers,
 :D

Art Deco

Oh Lordy was it treacherous driving from Gisborne to Napier. The 4 hr journey brought me through the hillsides of the East. The heavy rains caused many slips and the road washed away a few times - I'm literally talking the roadway crumbled down the mountainside even as we were driving over it! I'd have taken pics but I was Facebooking Jesus for obvious reasons.

I <3 Napier! It's basically a tourist enclave with a variety of activities all within close proximity. Plus the entire centre of town is built in Art Deco style thanks to a 1931 earthquake. But it's gorgeous being a hop and a skip from the ocean side!

I've met many new travelers here as well. Everyone basically hails from Europe on these circuits. It is very true that Kiwis celebrate more things British than the Brits themselves do! Example: New Zealand has a public holiday for Queens Birthday. Britain has none of that.

Honestly, who isn't creaming themselves right now?!

Doings:

1. Tried marmite (a yeast extract spread). Stuff tastes like poop. Too bad the only factory that produces the stuff was damaged in the earthquake last year. There is an actual advertising campaign telling people to remain calm. The stuff also sells for hundreds of NZD online (just in case ya wanna try some).
2. Napier Historic Prison Tour - oldest prison in NZ. Said to be haunted. Is also a backpackers. Will I stay there? Absolutely not. 
3. Art Deco Tour. Basically their entire town centre is built in Art Deco. End o story.
4. New Zealand National Aquarium:
1. saw a pacu fish - absolutely massive!
2. Piranhas have a school-house leader
3. I saw an actual Kiwi Bird!! Time to come home now? :)

Nahhh, j/k ;) 

Jesus Says Goodnight from the Napier Harbour

It's Gone Rain!

"Skies are grey today,

Rain is falling hard and soft,

Wind is blowing hard."

That lil Haiku is something I wrote in Mrs. Lano's 6th grade English class. It describes perfectly the weather conditions in the Gisborne area. Unfortunately I wasn't able to see the sunrise because of it but I was still able to view:

1. The spot the Europeans came ashore in NZ for the first time in 1769. Today known as Poverty Bay. Capt Cook wasn't able to obtain needed ship supplies due to a skirmish with local Maori so he rightfully gave it such a name.
2. Meet some fantabulous locals in a harbour view cafe. I can fool anyone as being a local...until I speak ("are you from Canada or America?" to which I always respond "Minnesota").
3. Walk up 144 steps for panoramic views of the city....I'm defs a city kinda guy!

Now if the road to Napier is cleared of the slip by tomorrow a.m. my journey will rightfully continue.

Cheers,
:D

Lovely.