And on the fourth day...

Hello hello!


It is the 22nd of February and absolutely pouring rain outside. But it's still quite warm around 20°C out, so I'm definitely not complaining. I have to confess that I haven't really been taking that many pictures- I've resolved to get better at that, but for now, my apologies. 


The past few days have mainly consisted of me going into the city to walk around and attempt at productivity. On the 20th, after moving in (but not really doing any unpacking at allll), I went down to the harbour and walked around for a few hours, stopping occasionally to read in shady, grassy areas. I also picked up some sunscreen and aloe vera gel, since I'd gotten quite sunburned in Sydney in the few hours I was there...


The geography of Wellington is such that Victoria University is split into 3 different campuses- I live in the main one; Kelburn. This also happens to be located at the top of a rather gigantic hill (but definitely leaning towards the mountain-size for sure). And to get to the harbour, one must walk downn about 3 kilometers. This is generally no problem, easy peasy going down. But, it's a bit of a different story going back uppp. Suffice it to say that if I am not in extremely good shape by the time I come home, I'll be at a loss as to why.


At any rate, yesterday morning I went for a run (I guess I was feeling particularly ambitious). The run ended up being just over 5km- not very far at all, some might say. Wellll, let me tell you that it is an entirely different story a) in the humidity and b) when you are running up and down mountains. I felt fantastic afterwards- though truth be told I had quite a bit of difficulty making it up that last monstrous hill. I've decided that I had better get some hill workouts in before I go for my next run, so that my body is a bit more prepared. Once I got cleaned up and ate lunch, I opened a back account at the New Zealand National Bank- and I should be getting a debit (aka eftpos) card this week or early next week. Having been somewhat productive, I went into town again and went on a tour of the Parliament buildings and learned a bit about the democratic political system here. I found it pretty amazing that anyone (and I stress anyone, citizen or no) can send in letters about specific bills and each letter must be read (uncensored) in front of the House. Andddd in addition, anyone can also request to speak in person with subsets of the House regarding a specific bill- and all must be allowed to do so. Brilliant.


Also yesterday, I met some dancers just fooling around on this rubber pad that seemed to be installed just for that purpose. I introduced myself and one dancer, Ahmed, offered to show me some things (break dancing). I couldn't stay long, but I got to meet up with him, and a few other people today (Feb. 22nd) and learn a few more things as well. I loved it, and I'm super excited to practice this stuff on my own time as well. Funny side note- I'm still getting the hang of the kiwi accent, I've got to admit that I sometimes find it difficult to understand. Anyways, so I was introduced to this other dancer today, who told me his name, and I heard "pink". So I said "pink?" just to be sure and then he said "no, peak" and mimed the point of a mountain. I felt like an idiot, but I'm sure they sometimes find me difficult to understand as well...


Today was pretty much more of the same- I bought a "Snapper" card, which is sort of like a debit/bus card. I didn't get a chance to use it today, cuz I missed the bus I was hoping to get on, but hopefully I'll get the hang of the transit system and find it much easier to get into, and out of, downtown. I bought a chai latte from this cafe that I'd eaten at on my first day in Wellington (Plum) and I think that place might just become a new haunt for me, as I'm falling in love with their chai lattes, music (they played the Beatles the whole time I was there) and it's a great atmosphere to read as well. Oh, and I also, finally, bought a cell phone. I've been trying to learn how to use it, but as with all things technological, it will probably take me some time.


The walk back home was very... wet. It was drizzling earlier, but that turned into pretty much pouring rain by the time I was walking home. I didn't really mind though, since I'd just come from the mini dance session.


Kiwi word of the day: Capsicum (meaning bell peppers)


Well, that's pretty much all for my update so far. Cheers.