Day 1

Here I am, arrived at last in New Zealand, Aoteroa, land that I've been dreaming about for so long!  (Technically, I haven't really gotten very far since I'm still at the airport.)  The flight arrived before 5 AM (yawn) on Tuesday morning, so I'm just chillin' here for a bit until it becomes light out and places start to open.  I don't think I'll be able to check into my hostel until a bit later.  I was able to sleep for a few hours on the plane (maybe 6 interrupted hours?).  I'm not sure because I didn't have a watch with me.  I met a Kiwi man and woman waiting to board my flight in San Francisco who seemed delighted that I was going to spend one year in NZ and do it by myself.  On the flight I had a window seat, and there was a woman n the aisle seat but no one in between us, which was really nice, and also a rarity, I think, since almost every other seat was filled.  The service on the flight was really great, and everyone seemed to take time to make sure questions were answered and needs were met.  They were all very kind, and helpful.  We had individual TV screens with loads of options to watch.  I saw an episode of Top Gear that I hadn't seen before (the one where they do a time trial rally with vintage cars), and a foreign film that was a little disturbing and not very good.  I also watched most of Michael Jackson's "This is It" over again, after I woke up.

It is hard to believe that I am so far away from home and it seems a bit overwhelming and fascinating to me how it is that people are so widespread throughout all corners of the earth.  I'm really excited to be visiting a new one.  Here's to lots of adventures in New Zealand.