Weekend Tramping Trip

Saturday morning, I leave at 8:30 AM to go on an overnight tramping (hiking) trip, hosted by the International Student Organization at U of A. We will be hiking down by Piha Beach and will sleep in huts during our overnight stay. Most of you know that under normal circumstances, I would NEVER, EVER, NEVER go on such a trip. I like central air; I like indoor plumbing; above all, I like the internet. But I thought that since I was in Kiwiland, I should do as the Kiwis do. I am taking my camera on the trip and will take lots of pictures. I will try to have all the new pictures up on my blog by Sunday night (Saturday morning your time). Wish me luck and have a great weekend!

Mr. Robotic

Today, a few of my friends and I attended a screening of "Broken Flowers" at the Auckland Film Festival (the movie was...interesting) and as we were leaving this guy dressed in cement-like clothing was making crazy robotic gestures outside of the theatre. The guy looked so weird that I just had to take a picture! The Civic Theatre, which was where the movie was held, is GORGEOUS! Inside is like a planetarium with simulated clouds that glide over the audience as you wait for the movie to begin. It was awesome!

Desparate Housewives Comes To Auckland

"Desperate Housewives" is a hit in New Zealand! Here's a big advert (as they are called down here) for the wickedly funny, yet campy TV show.

Am I In America?

At the intersection of Queens Street and Victoria Park is the beginning of (what I like to call) American Restaurant Row. In these pictures, you can see a Burger King, McDonald's, and Wendy's just steps from each other. And as it is in the US, there is LITERALLY a Starbucks on every corner. To me, these are just a few examples of how American culture infiltrates the rest of the world. Yet, such quintessentially American products wouldn't be consumed if they weren't so desired, now would they?

Posers

My group-mate just sent me this picture. It was taken on our first day in Auckland at the Arataki Visitor Centre, where just outside of the building, is a giant picture frame that overlooks the beautiful Waitakere Ranges. Don't we look cute?

Cheers!

Here's my roomie, Christa, looking oh-so-chic at a cafe over on Parnell Street. We were trying to be fabulous like the locals by dining at one of Auckland's many outdoor cafes.

It's Official!

Yay!!! I FINALLY received FBI security clearance to work at the US Consulate! Today I met with my boss, Lisa, and she gave me the good news. I am so excited to work with her; she's very bubbly, laid back, and funny! I think I will even start my internship a week earlier than planned since there are lots of on-going projects that need to be taken care of. The very top picture is that of the Citibank building, which is where I will be working. I feel so grown-up to be working there! But honestly, when I arrived, I felt so scared! The US Consulate area is a fortified part of the building with metal detectors and other intimidating looking stuff. I thought I would need my passport just to get it! Thankfully Lisa gave the guards the greenlight to let me in. God bless her.

The US Commercial Service (which is located in the US Consulate) basically helps small to mid-size US companies emerge into the NZ market. USCS's responsibility is to provide those companies with information regarding interested importers, tariffs, etc.

Look Both Ways Before You Cross the Street

Beware! In NZ, cars drive on the opposite side of the road. I've almost been hit many a times because I was looking in the wrong direction while trying to cross the street.

Yield!

In New Zealand, "Give Way" means to yield. I love it!

The Hill

Ok, this hill looks much smaller in the picture than in real life but BELIEVE ME it is STEEP! I am expecting to have the most amazingly toned legs by the time I leave here. This is the hill we have to climb each day to get to campus, which is just 5 minutes from Railway.

Today was my first day of class and I felt like a freshman in college all over again. I didn't know where anything was located so I had to ask the locals for directions. I like both of my classes thus far but the coursework seems even heavier than the one at BU! But my plan is to work hard during the week so that I have the weekends all to myself.

The Railway Campus

Here is The Railway Campus, my dormitory while staying in Auckland. The building is a converted railway station and the interior is just as beautiful as the exterior (will post pictures of the lobby tomorrow).

C'est Moi!

For all of you who wanted to see a picture of me...voila! Yes, I know that I look like a big ol' dork but I will try to take some better pix of me soon.

What a View!

How lucky am I? This is the spectacular view of the Railway Campus courtyard from my room. Who wouldn't want to wake up to that every morning?

Room Pix

Here are some pictures of my room. It's very cozy! My bed is MAD comfy but it may be on account of me being completely exhausted every night!

Free Day

Today was the first day of classes for U of A but it was also my first free day since arriving in Auckland. Thankfully, I only have class on Tuesday - Thursday, so can I can enjoy nice long 4-day weekends. I had so much fun today getting lost and exploring the city. Honestly, I can't emphasize enough just how beautiful Auckland is; it's a combination of Boston and San Francisco with a Euro-Asian feel. It's very cool.

Last night, my group and I hit up the bars -- we got crunked up to say the least. No, J/K! We went to an Irish Pub and had a few drinks, then went to another pub. I'm a lightweight and after 2 drinks, I couldn't keep my eyes open! Tonight, we're all going out to Shadow, a university bar that Claire (a study abroad student from last semester who is still lingering around) invited us to. It should be great fun!

Giant Mount Eden Crater

Here's a giant crater located at the very top of Mt. Eden. Legend has it that the crater, Te Ipu a Mataahou, was actually the food bowl of Mataahou, a Maori god. Pretty cool, eh?

Group Mates

My roommate Jess (left) is posing with two of my other mates, Bethany (middle), and Jess (right) on top of Mt. Eden.

Sky Tower from Mount Eden

Just 5 minutes from campus is Mount Eden, Auckland's tallest active volacano. Believe it or not, there are actually these big beautiful homes located on the side of the volcano! Mt. Eden offers some awesome panoramic views of Auckland. This picture is one of the dowtown area with the Sky Tower in the center of the photo. That tower is actually the tallest one in the Southern Hemipshere and you can bungee jump off of it. I am contemplating doing it myself!

Lion Rock at Piha Beach

On the west coast of Auckland is the city's most popular beach, Piha. The beach was unlike any other I had seen -- its sand was black and the texture was as soft and smooth as baby's powder. While I was smart and remained on higher ground, most of my crazy American group members walked along the beach barefoot and many got their clothes wet too. Needless to say, they froze the whole bus trip back to Auckland, which was 45 minutes long! Anyways, the big rock in the picture is Lion Rock and in the bottom corner of the picture you'll some of my group-mates: Jess, Julia, and Rusty.

Waitakere Ranges from Arataki Vistor Centre

One of the places we drove through on our sightseeing tour was the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park. The Waitakere Ranges are steep hilltops with a rugged terrain, composed of 16,000 hectares of native rainforest (that is, 61 square miles) and the park is located only 30 minutes from dowtown Auckland! As rugged as the terrain was, our bus driver, Denis, banked those turns like a champ! The picture here was taken from the Arataki Regional Park, a small museum and visitor centre.

John Savage Memorial Park

I arrived safely in Auckland on Saturday, July 16 at 6:15 AM. The plane ride was somewhat pleasant and only lasted 12 hours. Shortly after we arrived, Julie (Kevin's wife) greeted us at the airport. She was our tour-guide for the day and took us sightseeing around Auckland. The city is absolutely gorgeous! I tooks lots of pictures of the beautiful scenery, all of which can be found below. The picture, here, on the left, was taken at John Savage Memorial Park, which overlooks Auckland.