I Have Arrived

I've finally landed in Auckland after an arduous flight in which I lost an entire day. I can't say that I lived through October 3rd, 2006 because I didn't. I skipped right to October 4th. Anyhow the flight from NY to Tahiti was rough to say the least. I sat next to a smelly frenchman whose hair hung down to his waist. Everytime he turned his head, it tickled my skin and not in a good way. I hate feeling my own loose strands attached to other parts of my body, nevermind someone else's. I didn't sleep much during the first 12-hour flight because my mind was racing with anticipation. Thankfully, I slept the majority of the 6-hour connecting flight from Tahiti to Auckland and arrived here around 7 am this morning.

After lugging my ridiculously heavy bags uphill to my hostel to check in, I settled in to my small but comfortable room, and set out to find an internet connection. After repeated attempts at various internet cafes and emailing anyone who has a clue about internet connections (I had to use the cafe's computer), I gave up and came back to my hostel, where to my delight I found I could purchase a wi-fi card right at my hostel, albeit for a ridiculous 10 dollars for 2 hours, but I have no other options. Anyhow, now I'm sitting in the hostel lobby typing away at my blog when I probably should be out exploring the city of Auckland and all it has to offer. I reason that I hadn't counted today as an actual day of sightseeing anyhow so I'll probably just lounge around and acclimate myself to my new surroundings. From what I've seen, which wasn't much from the cab, Auckland looks a little like an upscale Chinatown. I'll have to investigate some more today and tomorrow and get back to you on that one.

By the way, the luggage I brought was the absolute worst idea in the history of travel. Not only did I have to take out half of my stuff at the airport and transfer it to another bag because I was way over the alloted weight, but the other bag (after unwrapping the shrink wrap) ballooned to the size of a small car. I could have fit 6 bodies in that bag, which also didn't make it very easy to carry. But I made it, as I'm sure I always will. I just have to chuck both bags and purchase smaller, more manageable totes. Hindsight is such a beautiful thing.

Anyhow I'm starving. I've barely eaten since my airplane crepe breakfast, so I'm done for now. I'll probably pay another ridiculous sum of money tomorrow to update you all on my (mis)travels thus far. Hope everyone is doing well. Stay tuned...