I ran out of steam writing this. These are just rough notes from my notebook.. If I have much time with internet in the near future.. this will be fixed. Enjoy what's there for now.
Hello everyone,
I'm in New Zealand now.. there may still be a retrospective post on the last week in Korea and the week in Canada. I have lots to say about it, but I don't have the file of notes handy at the moment.
The good: The last few days since I parted Canada, besides today, have been very enjoyable. Absolutely exciting as a matter of fact. The one little problem at the moment.. my bicycle and I had been split at San Francisco. I called the baggage folk in Auckland this morning and the bike had arrived there.. yet.. even though the flight from Auckland to Christchurch is a mere hour and a half, a full twelve hours later I still do not have my bike...
I was hoping to be on the road by now.. thankfully the host I am staying with is being absolutely wonderful and has been helping me out immensely. Check out couchsurfing if you plan on travelling. I think it's a fantastic thing. Okay, here are the random notes I've written out so far. May you find them enjoyable. Writing added after the fact is bracketed.
Wednesday:
Here I am in California. What a smile I have on my face. Just uncovered a random good idea. Signs are posted stating no smoking within 20 ft. on the door.
The other amusing reuccuring theme is noticing primarily japanese tourists with bags bursting with american snacks. (As evidenced by seeing more than one repack a suitcase.)
One thing I'd like to know. What is it that makes travellers interesting people? I think they tend to be interesting folk. As well, random people that I have run into have considered the fact that I'm a traveller to be interesting.
I'm most amused with the permandnet department of homeland security code Orange announcements in the airport. Every 10 or so minutes, a department of homeland security code Orange alert to watch one's bags went out. Of course in countries that seem a bit less interested in selling terror there aren't constant code Orange alerts.
It's also fun to observe and podner about the different sorts of people that might happen to be travelling on a given dayt as well as observing the fiddferent ehnic mixes. It seems each place ends up with it's own ethnic mix. I wonder if in the case of Norther America if it's just the result of a few early settlers largely defining the diversity of a given area. Maybe it has more to do with local policies?
Just a short while later:
I'm reminded of how monolingual this place is. (San Francisco Airport) There's an utter lack of bilingual signage here.
It think that writing unlocks parst of the mind. erhaps it's the self-reflecting part. It's like a conversation with a piece of paper.
(That said, a few hours later, having caught a bus it became clear that there is plenty of ethnic diversity in California . I believe I heard more Spanish spoken on that bus than English. )
Wow, took a bus downtown, talked to random strangers, witnessed pretty cars as well as the joys of smog. (Cars just don't want to rust in California. I saw lots of beautiful older cars)
It's exactly what I expected California to be like. I'm thinking this is awesome. Even the differentness of fashion is totally rocking.
Nothing but single-speed road bikes... Lot's of nice roadbikes. Parking tickets vehicles that are half-width three wheel toys.
Talking to random people has been enjoyable. I am thrilled that my goald for the month has been to say hello to strangers daily. I just hope I"m not creeping anyone out. Yay for random conversation!
And.. buses are $1.50 going on direction, $3 going the other direction. How odd.
Friday:(Thursday got obliberated in the dateline crossing)
So, Air New Zealand has been fantastic! I started off with a row of seats to myself and the veg. meals weren't just great tasting, they were served first!
I even slept on the plane.. the whole international dateline is screwey though. Also, all the seats have on-demand media! This totally rocks!
New Zealand is a very calm place so far.
I love the lack of Homeland security style alerts. Also, the offer of an earlier flight is fantastic! I wish my bike was here though. Apparently it didn't get checked in San Francisco.
So, the day is going much better now that I am wandering around Christchurch. What a lovely place and with grear little exhibits (which are free.. yeah!). Not too impressed with the $7NZ to the bus station though. Also, summer weather and pretty women, need I say more?
Late Friday afternoon:
Wow! The afternoon has been fantastic! I've been entertained in Cathedral square, I've talked with locals, I've seen