Since nothing official was open on the weekend, Sean and I took the opportunity to explore the city on foot. We also did a lot of sleeping to deal with the jet lag. I would have posted sooner, but one of the more frustrating things about NZ is that it's next to impossible to find free internet - using wifi anywhere is ridiculously expensive and requires you to purchase vouchers or online codes. Fortunately, we have found a public library and after applying for a library card we are happily enjoying the use of the wireless internet completely gratis.
Today is Monday, January 16 and we are checking as many things as we can off of our to-do list such as: getting NZ SIM cards for our Chinese phones, applying for a NZ tax IRD number (needed before you can get a job), opening a free bank account and going grocery shopping. It takes about 8-10 days for the IRD number to come in the mail so now all we do is hurry up and wait. Fortunately, there's lots to do and learn in the meantime.
Some initial observations:
Weather: 70's, sunny, breezy and dry. It feels like we are in San Diego as Christchurch is at the height of their summer.
People: Everybody seems to be popping chill pills and is overly relaxed, laid back and friendly. We have had literally hour-long conversations with librarians, bank workers and locals - everyone is helpful and happy to see visitors.
North vs. South: There is a certain loyalty to the island on which you live here. We've even had locals say things like "I don't like the North island" or "I'm so glad you chose to come to the South island - it's much better" etc.
No comparisons: People don't appreciate being compared to Australia - Kiwis consider themselves to be completely separate and different.
Accent: Wowza - although I speak English, Kiwi English (or "New Zildish" as I've heard it called) is another dialect entirely. There have been several times I haven't been understood and/or couldn't understand someone else. It's both entertaining and surprising.
Earthquakes: They are terrifying. Last night we were shaken from our beds in the strongest earthquake I have ever felt in my life - 5.0. This morning there was another 3.0. I've never experienced a feeling like that - they are noisy, long and very powerful. Nobody else pays any attention to them and the tremors or "shakes" as they are called here, are felt every day.
Sports: Rugby and Cricket are everywhere and everyone is all hyped up about some team called the All Blacks.
Lingo: There are two official languages: English and Maori (the indigenous culture here). Many signs are also written in Maori and a lot of words have been included in the local vernacular here such as "Kia ora" which is "Hello" in Maori. Another thing everybody says here is "Good on'ya mate" which means something like "great/sweet/thanks man/cool" etc.
Population: There's nobody here. Seriously. Apparently everyone lives on the North Island. We are in the biggest city on the South Island and my hometown of Holland, Michigan seems busier than this place. It's a HUGE switch from China.
Driving: It has been very very hard to get used to the traffic going the other way - and we haven't even started driving yet! Even just walking around it's hard to remember to look in a different way while crossing the street.
That's all for now. Next on the agenda? Employment.
I am SO excited to follow your adventures in NZ. Good luck on the job hunt!
I am glad you made it! I don't know if I could get used to the earth quakes! I can't wait to hear more :)! We miss you lots!