Manchester airport has only two types of weather. The rain that you can see, and that which you can't. The latter generally means that you arrived at night.
Auckland promised to deliver the same as I arrived into damp, drizzly and overcast skies, me partly wondering whether the pilot had taken a wrong turn out of Singapore...
Customs took a while, as I had to declare my half kilo of marmite, followed by that anxious moment when the drug dog sits down and wags its tail happily next to my bag. It turns out that the drug of choice is fruit, and the wee dog was getting its fix from the lingering smell of a kilo of braeburns which I had brought to add a couple more dimensions to the airline food.
The drizzle abated somewhat as I rode the bus into Auckland. Arrival at the hostel inspired me to get out as soon as I could. Ok, at least I had booked myself a single room but I'm not sure I am still cut out for bunking with others in my progressive, and perhaps a little too middle class, years. In that room I felt a very long way from anyone and anything really; when you jet off for an indeterminate length of time, and a new - even if temporary - life, a stained and noisy room isn't quite the start I had expected! Combined with the real tug of leaving some people back in the UK and a distinct lack of sleep meant that I wasn't feeling my finest at that point.
A much needed shower preceded my first venture out. I set off for coffee and internet - found these in Starbucks (30 mins free tinternet with a purchase), and then stumbled on the Auckland Arts Festival.
Over a couple of hours and a handful of apricot beers I watched some fine live music - Ben Allen; a touch of Ben Howard meeting Newton Faulkner, followed by Sal Valentine and the Babyshakes; I'm not sure who meeting - or even touching - who with this one: Jazz/rockabilly or some such fashion. I was welcomed to Kiwi hospitality and cheer by chatting with a few people. One such couple also bought me one of those fine beers that I'm sure you are wondering must be a misspelling above. No, they really were apricot beers, and mighty fine too, and they complemented very well my chosen tea (sorry; supper to most of you) of Fattoush, Tabouleh, Hummus, Feta, Quinoa, and a couple of other things I can't recall let alone spell.
Fed and watered, I returned to my lodgings, was once again ignored by a couple of other guests, and slept. At 8.30.
Woke at 4am, and had no choice but to enjoy the noise of everyone walking home from their respective Saturday nights. They seemed to be taking their jolly time, as most of them were still passing at 7.30, still in jolly fashion.
And still it rains. Apparently there's not been any rain for a long time and they are desperate for it. I, on the other hand am less desperate; I did sensibly pack my waterproofs - in a box which is being sent to my sister - together with my sensible shoes. My not so sensible self is therefore ostensibly prepared to get wet silly. Of course I had to bring my beloved Adidas 'bumblebees' which have been developing an escape hatch for my toes on the sole, and now osmose water faster than a pump.
I have found the perfect cure for jet lag. It goes by the medical name of Paddy's Day, otherwise known as St Patrick's day.
I bumped into Steve outside the hostel and got chatting, and he invited me to join him and some others to a few bars. I thought a couple of pints wouldn't go amiss...
They really go for Paddy's Day here - we were amongst a distinct minority not garbed in green, but joined the majority in voice, vice and many versions of Irish classics - I've not often heard fairytale of new York outside December; it greeted our ears no fewer than five times yesterday. Met and chatted to a fair few folk; Steve, Ashley, Phil, Alan (Alan! Alan! Alan!), Domi, and Meg from the hostel; Trent and Clyde - S. Africans both working on super yachts as crew; Duncan from - yes - Glasgow, and plenty of friendly Kiwis.
Had a great time - I managed my couple of pints, and because they could have felt a bit lonely, I invited a few more to join them. And somebody kindly invited a round of Jaegerbombs at one point.
Today I go to an orientation held by IEP - the sister organisation to BUNAC - after which I have a few hours left in rainy Auckland before I have yet another semi-vertical nights sleep on the overnight bus to Wellington.
So far it's been fun. A bit expensive, but a good way to start off. Next stop, Annie and Hamish's, and I'm really looking forward to seeing them and the kids, finding something to do, settling into Kiwi time (I was up at 3am each morning so far), and getting on with the adventure...
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