prop planes and chocolate pudding

Got out of Auckland, it seems most other travelers share my opinions about the big city.  Feels good to be in a town and to be with a friend.  Played a wicked game of New Zealand monopoly.  The hostel serves free chocolate pudding at 8 pm every night.  Everyone gets in a que in the kitchen.  It makes you feel whole. 

Its interesting the instant friendships made at this hostel.  I met several people I would have liked to get to know better.  It's a little twinge to meet such fun amazing people and then say good bye.  Stuart and I are making plans for our next destination. 

cheers,
Kate

sheep and ocean

Leaving Auckland!

Hi Friends-  sorry for the long wait, had to get my head clear.  I am leaving Auckland today to head down to Nelson and meet up with Stuart.  After suffering from a bout of homesickness and culture shock I decided Auckland is not the place I want to be right now and with a friend was the right place. 

I did get a job and quit a job already, I've only been here 6 days or 7?  The job was at an Irish pub in downtown Auckland.  I can now pour Guinness quite well.  I feel like I've had to relearn English, after listening to the Irish order beer and figure out what the kiwi's are saying so fast. 

Meet a lovely Irish men who thinks my cowboy boots are really exciting. 

Went on an incredibly hike, south of Auckland.  Very muddy but stunning views.  I'll post pictures soon. 

The sun's shining bright today!  Yahoo

I meet a great American from Chicago named Jose.  He showed me where the grocery was and where to buy a blow dryer that won't blow up.  I think I'm the only American saying at the hostel now. 

Well I'm going to go drink some caffeine and work on talking in complete sentences. 

cheers

Made it

Well friends, I made it.  One stop at the wrong hostel.  Several waterworks meltdowns, made worse by friendly kiwi's when they were trying to be nice.  I'm super jet lagged and punchy.  So I'm going to head to bed in a bit.  I made my first dinner in a hostel kitchen, found a really big bug in my room and found out NZ has a version of Jerry Springer that made me feel less bad about being an American.  There are people in NZ who don't know how their baby daddy is either. 

It's rainy and cold in Auckland and very hilly. 

Will report more later

For now good luck and good nite

U-hauls and Futons

Well the move is finished, I think I owe all my friends and brother about 6 moves.  Thank you guys!!  I really appreciated it when you sprayed each other with the hose.  I've temporarily moved back in with the rents.  Driving the u-haul was an adventure, but at least this time it was without mishap or parked car incidents. 

Thank you to all of my work peeps for my going away party.  I soaked it all in and your kind words and actions will float me through this next step in my life. 

Hailey and I made up a song about futons after a few failed attempts to be mechanical.

I'm working my last shift at the vineyard today, and it feels like fall.  Its my favorite time to be in the vineyard.   The vines are full of grapes and leaves -- it almost shimmers in the sunlight. 

Cheers